IMPORT/MODIFY STL

IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead
Explorer Explorer
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Message 1 of 24

IMPORT/MODIFY STL

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

A COUPLE OF TIMES I HAVE TRIED TO IMPORT AN STL FILE TO MODIFY IT. I GET TO A POINT WHERE I CAN GO NO FURTHER. I AM USING THE HOBBYIST VERSION OF FUSION 360. IS THAT THE PROBLEM?

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23 Replies
Replies (23)
Message 2 of 24

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Dmpanhead 

Can you Attach an example stl file?

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

 

Fusion will sometimes work with stl files OK, but is really not the best solution.

In general, stl files are rubbish.  Not the best quality.  I recommend you create native high-quality geometry directly in Fusion rather than trying to repair rubbish.

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Message 3 of 24

jeff_strater
Community Manager
Community Manager

Mostly no, it is not because you have a Personal license.  There are a couple of things that are unavailable to you in the Mesh area, but not that many.  In general, Fusion is not a mesh modeler.  There are some limited mesh editing capabilities in Fusion, but those are mostly aimed at using the mesh as a guide to model the object natively in Fusion, or as reference geometry.  You can do limited cleanup of a mesh in Fusion, but Fusion is mostly aimed at precise BRep geometry, not mesh data.


Jeff Strater
Engineering Director
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Message 4 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer
First, thanks for the reply. I am far from prolific in this, although I think I understand your point. If I may...all I need to do is to extrude a face (not flat) a little bit.  I do believe there is a lot to do first before I can even do that, correct? I have watched a bunch of YouTube videos, but it always gets to a point where I need a command that is not available to me. If you don't want to continue this any further, no problem and thanks again.
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Message 5 of 24

jeff_strater
Community Manager
Community Manager

as @TheCADWhisperer said:  if you can share your design here, it will be easier to help.  But, probably, it is best to try to get some basics understood first.  For instance, there are several types of geometry that Fusion supports, and each type has its own toolset.  You mention Extrude.  Extrude only works on Surface or Solid data, and an STL is a mesh.  So, that is the first blocker for you.  There are ways to convert a mesh to a solid or surface, but they are generally not recommended.  A mesh is a collection of thousands of tiny triangles, and if you try to convert to a solid, you end up with an inaccurate solid that is very hard to work with.  Depending on the shape of the model, it may be easier to rebuild it as a solid.  Or, you may just be better off finding a good mesh modeler to do your work.


Jeff Strater
Engineering Director
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Message 6 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer
I've attached the .STL.You'll notice two surfaces... almost flat, slight curvature, on opposite ends. I just want to extrude these surface about 13mm. Dimension is not critical as I will be trimming this to fit along with possibly resizing it in CURA. Thanks so much for listening.
 
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Message 7 of 24

Warmingup1953
Advisor
Advisor

It may be that a command in Fusion won't work with Capslock engaged? But seriously STL's can range from a cinch to work with in Fusion right up to downright impossible...Can you share one of your troublesome files?

Message 8 of 24

Warmingup1953
Advisor
Advisor

Nothing attached?

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Message 9 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer
I've attached the .STL.You'll notice two surfaces... almost flat, slight curvature, on opposite ends. I just want to extrude these surfaces about 13mm. Dimension is not critical as I will be trimming this to fit along with possibly resizing it in CURA. Thanks so much for listening.
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Message 10 of 24

HughesTooling
Consultant
Consultant

@Dmpanhead wrote:
I've attached the .STL.

 

If you are replying with emails then any attachments are stripped from the reply. You have to use the web to attach files.

 

Mark Hughes
Owner, Hughes Tooling
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Message 11 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer
I am not sure how to do that....
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Message 12 of 24

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Dmpanhead wrote:
I am not sure how to do that....

@Dmpanhead 

Click Reply and then...

TheCADWhisperer_0-1738193346694.png

 

 

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Message 13 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

Maybe this works??

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Message 14 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

Maybe this works???

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Message 15 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

Maybe this helps

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Message 16 of 24

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Dmpanhead 

Got it...

TheCADWhisperer_0-1738193836238.png

 

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Message 17 of 24

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

TheCADWhisperer_0-1738194049985.png

TheCADWhisperer_1-1738194099105.png

 

But there are a lot of issues, so I will need to try other software.

 

 

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Message 18 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

Thank you so much!

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Message 19 of 24

TheCADWhisperer
Consultant
Consultant

@Dmpanhead 

What is the source of the original geometry - who created it?

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Message 20 of 24

Dmpanhead
Explorer
Explorer

I'm going to have to dig to answer that. I'll reply if I find it.

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