How can I export a large STL file as a step file?

[daniel6QL3E]

Hello,

How can I export a large STL file as a step file? Is there a limit to the size? When I export my 1GB size STL file, Inventor only creates a 4KB empty step file....

Kind regards Daniel

[admaiora]

You can't convert a stl to  a step.

You have to convert to a solid model, then export as step

[daniel6QL3E]

Inventor creates an .ipt file automatically, but I still can't export it as a step file.

[admaiora]

The ipt you say doesn't contain solid/surface, just mesh.

You can convert in step only cad solid/surface/wire

[daniel6QL3E]

And how do I convert an .ipt file to a solid model?

[Frederick_Law]

STL is Mesh, points and lines.  Billions of them.

Exporting to STEP (or any other format) won't give you any more info or better file.

What are you trying to do?

IV can convert the Mesh to surface.

Solid if the surface can be closed.

It is still billions of tiny triangles.

[rom.poteaux4DZ5Y]

have a look at this:

https://apps.autodesk.com/INVNTOR/en/Detail/Index?id=6950391119076900441&appLang=en&os=Win32_64

[admaiora]

1 Gb .stl  with mesh enabler? Good luck!

[chris]

@daniel6QL3E  What is your end goal? Why do you need a .step? Can it be something else, like a .fbx or .obj ?

I might be able to help, do you have a way to share the .stl file?

[daniel6QL3E]

The .step file is needed for laser cutting the part. So you probably won't be able to make a solid model out of it. But a surface model should be possible, at least theoretically, or where do you see the problem? If .fbx or .obj is also possible, I would have to ask the company that does the laser cutting.

[Frederick_Law]

Big problem.

There are billions lines for the laser to program and cut.  Each could be 0.001".

Great way to kill the servo.

Laser have to cut each edge of the triangle.

You can try measure one and see the length.

[Frederick_Law]

And if the laser can take billion line G-code.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@daniel6QL3E 

Show screen capture image of the geometry. Why is it so large file size?

[daniel6QL3E]

[rom.poteaux4DZ5Y]

@daniel6QL3E 

I've done this with very large files from a high definition 3d scan of a large part. 

The surfaces were not watertight 100% but Polyworks was able to manage the conversion.  

Polyworks is not cheap but you might be able to hire it unless you know someone who uses it. 

[daniel6QL3E]

We also have a license for Polyworks. I will try that out. Thanks for the tip.