SAVING AND VIEWING STL FILES

[KMI]

Hi,

I am trying to save one side of a part after it has been verified and then use it as the stock for the second side. Then I can see what the finished product will look like. Anyone out there know how to do this? Is there a way to send a customer a picture of the finished piece using any of the microsoft programs. ie paint or maybe photoshop? Thanks for the help

Kodiak Motorsports Inc.

[Guest]

Verify the part using true solids. After verification hit the button Save as STL file". After you have saved the stl file, go to file converters stl and xform file. This will allow you to manipulate the stl file and save it back as an stl file. Then you can load it up in verification and use it for the next operation. Good luck.

[mark l]

As for showing your customer, you can press Alt,Print Screen, this saves the screen to the clipboard, then you can open some program like Imaging or Paint and paste it, hope this helps

[Slick]

You can also save a "picture" of the part by going to "Screen", "Next Menu", and then "Clipboard". It will prompt you, asking if you want to save a partial by hitting enter, and then dragging your cursor (making a window) over what you want, or just press "Esc". After pressing "Esc" open Microsoft Paint, press "Edit" and then paste, and wala, you have a picture.

 

(As usual, a long winded answer, hopefully it helps!)

[KMI]

Thanks for the help. I can save the file but I need to flip it over and save it. I have tried to turn it over but I seem to be doing something wrong because I cant get it to work. I'll try the suggestion for printing off the picture. Thanks again.

Kodiak Motorsports Inc.

[Keith Graydon]

Transform the .stl as Marc Lindsey mentioned in his prior post.

quote:

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After you have saved the stl file, go to file converters stl and xform file. This will allow you to manipulate the stl file and save it back as an stl file.

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Then use that .stl as your "stock file" in verify.

 

you can also use the C-hook stlxform .dll as a way to transform the .stl to the secondary position. This is the way that I prefer. (fwit) I learned the techinque right here in this very forum! huzzah.

 

hth

-KLG

 

[ 12-17-2002, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: Keith L. Graydon ]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

The easier way IMHO is to use t/c planes when machining then you do not have to manipulate the stl file.

 

JM2C

[Keith Graydon]

Yes James dat also true ( another cat I suppose) however,

quote:

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Is there a way to send a customer a picture of the finished piece

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the .stl route will supply usable images for the cutomer.

 

-KLG

[Slick]

I fully agree with James. I wanted to suggest that, but one, I understand in some situations it's easier not too, and two, it's just my opinion. But I will say this, I used to think it was pointless, and slow to program aprt complete using T/C Planes. But then I learned how to do it, what a difference, you should really try it!

[Mick]

Solidview is a handy app for viewing STL files, and also manipulating them. I've used it a while ago to move a STL file around and then re-import to run the verification on the second side of a part. It works great. From memory, the URL is www.solidconcepts.com

[Mick]

Whoops. Try www.solidview.com

That one's much better

[Mark C]

where can one find said c-hook stlxform.dll?

I can't find it on either of our V8.1.1 or V9 sp1 machines. I tried importing the stl file to MasterCam and manipulating it but something I'm doing must be wrong. When I import the file into verify it locks up and good old Dr.Watson gives me that message that MasterCam is gonna close.

 

Thanks

[ProductDevelopmentGuy]

With V9.0, the STLXform C-hook is no more, because it's included in the File/Convert/STL/menu. Go there and click on "Xform file". This will let you view an STL file AND let you translate,rotate,mirror,scale the data AND let you save that to a new STL file. I think it's basically what "KMI" is asking for.

PDG

[iowajim62]

Hi KMI,

You didn't say if you were 8.1.1 or 9.

I was wondering if you had found a way to fix your STL? Let us know.