Editing an STL file

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Editing an STL file

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  • #776659
    Paul L
    Participant
      @paull58212

      I’m currently trying to help someone who needs to modify a 3d model. We have scanned a component with a creality scanner and have an .STL file but his Solidworks (about 10 years old) wont edit it and my Alibre wont import it as .STL.

      Anyone any ideas on how we can get a .STP model from the .STL that one of us can edit? Is this possible or are we wasting our time trying.

      Any help greatly appreciated

       

       

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      #776660
      Michael Gilligan
      Participant
        @michaelgilligan61133

        Currently watching LauraK … but a quick diversion to Google finds some possibilities:

        Search for: convert from stl to stp

         

        MichaelG.

        #776663
        DC31k
        Participant
          @dc31k

          FreeCAD will do this for you.

          Open the STL, convert mesh to solid, export as STEP file.

          Check what version of STEP his system accepts, as you might have to export in an older version of the format in order to be compatible.

          I guess you know that a STEP object is just a ‘dumb’ (lump of clay) 3D solid, so for instance, you could not pick a hole within it and change its diameter from 6mm to 8mm.

          #776670
          Paul L
          Participant
            @paull58212

            I think my original question was badly phased; apologies.

            What  is really needed is the ability to edit the STL model. I ‘believed’ a stp file would be editable as thats what my Alibre wants to open.

            As you can see I dont have a great deal of experience with this.

            Any suggestions welcomed.

             

            #776679
            Michael Gilligan
            Participant
              @michaelgilligan61133

              Given your clarification, Paul …

              The logical answer must be for ‘someone’ who can open the STL to do so, and then save it as an older file-type, for you.

              … Happens a lot with word-processing, etc. etc.

              MichaelG.

              #776684
              Michael Gilligan
              Participant
                @michaelgilligan61133

                I am WAY out of my depth here … but this looks promising:

                https://store.creality.com/blog/edit-stl-files

                MichaelG.

                #776686
                David Jupp
                Participant
                  @davidjupp51506
                  On DC31k Said:

                  I guess you know that a STEP object is just a ‘dumb’ (lump of clay) 3D solid, so for instance, you could not pick a hole within it and change its diameter from 6mm to 8mm.

                  But you can simply cut the 8mm hole to replace the 6mm one.  All that “dumb” means is that that a STEP file doesn’t preserve any list of features from the originating CAD system.  It is just the final shape of the model.

                  #776689
                  DC31k
                  Participant
                    @dc31k
                    On Paul L Said:

                    What  is really needed is the ability to edit the STL model.

                    As above, the STL file is a (generally triangular) mesh format.

                    The two most well-known mesh-editing programs are Meshmixer and Blender.

                    If you put ‘meshmixer alternative’ into a search, it will suggest other options.

                    A lot of what will work best for you depends on the shape of the object. If it is an ‘engineering’-type object, converting to STEP and working on the 3D solid might be a good move. If it is a more ‘organic’ or ‘sculptural’ object, keeping it as STL is probably the way forward.

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