Re-orienting STL file - How to?

[Bill H]

I saved a stock model as an STL file and then brought the STL file back into the model.  It needs to be re-oriented but I can't figure out how to do this.  With Dynamic Transform the gnomon will not snap to hole centers.  Can someone help?  I'm using Mastercam 2019.

[Colin Gilchrist]

STL Files are constructed of 'mesh facets'. Every surface is made up of a 'collection of triangles'. So there is no "hole center".

You would need to go into 3D construction mode, and create a 3-point circle or arc on the mesh. This would give you a center point to 'anchor to'. Just be sure to click both the arc and mesh, when doing the transform, so the arc moves with the mesh, in case you need to make additional adjustments to the position of the mesh.

[Bill H]

13 hours ago, Colin Gilchrist said:

STL Files are constructed of 'mesh facets'. Every surface is made up of a 'collection of triangles'. So there is no "hole center".

You would need to go into 3D construction mode, and create a 3-point circle or arc on the mesh. This would give you a center point to 'anchor to'. Just be sure to click both the arc and mesh, when doing the transform, so the arc moves with the mesh, in case you need to make additional adjustments to the position of the mesh.

Colin:  Thanks very much, you've bailed me out again!  I know that getting some extra geometry onto the STL file was the answer, but had completely forgotten about the 3-point circle tool.  Happy new year!

[Colin Gilchrist]

2 hours ago, Bill H said:

Colin:  Thanks very much, you've bailed me out again!  I know that getting some extra geometry onto the STL file was the answer, but had completely forgotten about the 3-point circle tool.  Happy new year!

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