Custom scaling for imported STL

[AdamuKaapan]

One workflow item I seem to be doing quite often for 3D printing (or at least want to do is):

• Find some model I like on thingiverse or similar (or I may make my own in Blender or similar)
• Export it as an STL
• Import it to Inventor
• Set the size of the STL so I can modify features or at least get it to the size I expect
• Export it again so I can print it

I'm specifically having issues with resizing an STL. I know an STL is a unitless file, and I know you can set the units on import, but I'm not seeing any way to set a custom scale (for example, working with units in Blender has been very clunky to me, so resizing in Inventor would be far preferable).

Ideally what I want to do is add a dimension constraint between two points and have it scale the rest of the model accordingly, but even just manually entering a decimal scale would be acceptable.

Is this possible, and if so, how?

[Frederick_Law · Accepted solution]

If possible use STEP, ParaSolid.

STL file is for one purpose, 3D printing.

Modify them in Inventor is painful and that's an under statement.

Once you import the file into IV and converted it to solid, you can scale it.

[AdamuKaapan]

That makes sense, thanks! I'll give another format a shot. Dunno if Blender supports STEP export but I'm pretty sure it supports OBJ and FBX export, I'm sure at least one format it can handle will be more usable.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Adam,

Inventor cannot scale mesh geometry unless you use MeshEnabler add-in. You can convert the mesh elements to individual faces and stitch them into a solid body. Then use Direct Edit -> Body -> Scale.

Another way to do that is by using unit conversion workflow. For example, assuming the original STL was modeled in "mm" scale, you can import it as "cm" (import option). Then the mesh becomes 10 times as big.

Many thanks!

[gcoombridge]

Why don't you just scale in the slicer software (Cura for example if you use that?). You can check the current sizes in Inventor and then work out the factor you need to reduce or enlarge by

[AdamuKaapan]

@gcoombridge the main reason I wanted to do it before the slicer is that sometimes I'll find a model I like, but need to add specifically-sized new features to it, which need to be generally accurate. Recent example was I found a fox model, but needed to add a cutout for an incense tray we had.