STL to IPT

[vmontefusco]

Greetings

I'm working in Inventor Pro 2018 and it is updated

I was sent me an STL part file and it opens OK in Inventor and I can move it around. Can I convert it to an IPT so I can tweak it?

Thanks

Vince

EFX Film & TV

[BeKirra]

Under the big "I", "Save As" is the command you should use.

HTH

[vmontefusco]

Greetings

I did what you said and it converted to IPT but I can't edit it. See attached. I will ask Autodesk to jump in on this one if you can't figure out how I can edit the part like a normal IPT part.

Thanks

Vince

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! If you are a subscriber, you can download Mesh Enabler from App store. It will convert the mesh to a composite node (each mesh face as a surface body). Then you can stitch it into a solid if the faces are water-tight. Please note that, the mesh edges will remain there. The topology will be necessarily complicated.

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

Another option is to use Fit Mesh Face command to fit a Brep surface by selecting the mesh. This particular part looks relatively simple. You might be able to fit quite a few faces. Lastly, you can always recreate the body from scratch. You can create a sketch on a planar mesh face and project points for reference purpose. You can recreate the part relatively quickly.

Many thanks!

[vmontefusco]

Greetings Johnson

I downloaded like you suggested and followed the screen shot of R clicking on the mesh in the browser and I do not see the Convert to Base Feature in the list. I've attached the part I'd like to convert. Also, the 2017 reviews don't seem impressive. Hopefully, issues were fixed for the 2018 version I have.

Thank you!!!

Vince

[vmontefusco]

Sorry forgot to attach Part.

Vince

[JDMather]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

... Also, the 2017 reviews don't seem impressive. Hopefully, issues were fixed for the 2018 version I have.

Thank you!!!

Vince

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What is the source of your information - please include url reference?

Exactly what "issues" are you referring to?

[vmontefusco]

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

Scroll down to the reviews

Thank you

Vince

[Mark.Lancaster]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

Greetings Johnson

Also, the 2017 reviews don't seem impressive. Hopefully, issues were fixed for the 2018 version I have.

Thank you!!!

Vince

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What issues are your referring to?

[JDMather]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

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

Scroll down to the reviews

Thank you

Vince

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Ah, so you are referring to the Mesh Enabler, not Inventor.

I have never had trouble with the Mesh Enabler, but I have found that a significant set of users have no clue of the nature of stl files.

Stl files are simplified triangular faceted planar surfaces - generally of little use in an MCAD environment other than for 3D Printing.

The image/file you attached would be more useful models as proper parametric b-rep geometry.

Do you have the original file - or is the stl file someone else's work?

[vmontefusco]

I have Inventor Pro 2018 subscription and was told I could download Mesh Enabler to convert STL files sent to me to IPT parts that I could tweak normally. The STL files sent to me are being used for 3D Printing. I now assume what I want to do can't be done??

Thanks

Vince

[vmontefusco]

The STL file is from someone else. See attached.

Thanks

Vince

[JDMather]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

....parts that I could tweak normally.

Thanks

Vince

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What is the source of this information?

Sure you can edit the parts once you have run the Mesh Enabler to convert the surfaces to solid body - but have you closely examined an stl geometry?

[JDMather]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

The STL file is from someone else. See attached.

Thanks

Vince

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Is  there a reason that you have attached the same stl file here three times?

[vmontefusco]

No, I thought you were asking for it. I see what I want to do is problematic, so I will just duplicate the STL's that are send to me. Some of the STL's are more complex, but I'll just have to adjust my schedule.

Thanks for all of your help!!

Vince

[JDMather]

Cutting, for example - drilling holes) in a converted stl is not a big issue.

Adding geometry might not be a big issue.

But changing the size of existing geometry can be a big issue as your part consists of over 157 thousand individual faces.

If you were expecting a feature tree - you are only going to get a "dumb solid".

For freeform editing of stl mesh you can use another product - Mesh Mixer - but for the types of geometry that you posted it is far easier to remodel with primitives like cylinders and boxes.  Simple Revolves and Extrudes.

[vmontefusco]

Sorry for basic responses, you are way above my pay scale!!  

I opened the part that I've attached (3x's) and tried to create hole using sketch on an an origin plane and it says it has no volume. I understand the mess volume thing, but how would I add features to it. I respect your time and if this is a major detail explanation, then I will live with the STL's and recreate them so I will have full control over there designs. 

Thanks again

Vince

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

.. it says it has no volume. 

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From your earlier responses it sounds like you never got the Mesh Enabler loaded properly.

Go to your Tools>Addins and make sure that it is loaded.

Then expand and right click on the MeshFeature node and select Convert to Base Feature (and select Solid Body).

[vmontefusco]

I did what you suggested and it is now loaded and I see the Convert to Base Feature. It took a while to complete using the part I attached. Then I double clicked in the browser and a new set of tools appeared, not the usual look when you edit an extruded part. I will play around with it.

Thank you

Vince

[JDMather]

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@vmontefusco wrote:

I did what you suggested and it is now loaded and I see the Convert to Base Feature. It took a while to complete using the part I attached. Then I double clicked in the browser and a new set of tools appeared, not the usual look when you edit an extruded part. I will play around with it.

Thank you

Vince

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I don't think you want to do that if you want access to the usual editing tools.

Sounds like you got into the reduced set Solid Edit tools.