Closing a hole by bridging

[klaberte]

I've downloaded an stl that I am trying to edit for my needs.  I've removed many of the triangles I want to remove, and now want to fill in the hole.  My thinking was that I could create a few bridges to control how the hole is filled.  However, every time I select two triangles that are touching different parts of the hole, and then try to bridge, I get "An unknown fatal error has occurred in the current Tool.  Aborting."

Am I approaching this wrongly?  Is there a better way?  I'll attach the file, and welcome any pointers or suggestions!

[hfcandrew]

Bridge is so inconsistent, I never know why it fails. Sometimes remeshing helps.

You can also just select the triangles you want to bridge and instead use 'fit to primitive' and use rectangle: 

And just do this 3 times. It won't be manifold, but should print just fine. Or then just 'make solid'

[klaberte]

OK, I figured out how to use the fit to primitive action, thank you!  Unsurprisingly, if I do an Inspector, I get all sorts of errors flagged.  So then I try to make solid, I get a mess.  Attached is the latest.  Any suggestions?

[hfcandrew]

Ya it is not manifold, but will still slice/print okay.

Is it okay on your slicer?