Export to STL and keep scale?

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Permalink Reply by Will Tait on October 11, 2012 at 11:15pm

Hi,

Get a copy of NetFabb Studio. there is a free version NetFabb Studio basic. You can scale and slice so I believe you could open your stl file, scale it the size you want slice it and save individual pieces as independent stl or obj files for printing. You can even run a check and make sure the model is watertight and do some repair work if needed.

http://www.netfabb.com/

Hope this is helps.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Adcock on October 12, 2012 at 4:07pm

Hi Will

I got a copy of Netfabb when trying to fix a mesh for another model.  I was on a tght deadline and learning this step as I went, so used the add on Meshrepair wizard in Rhino instead.  I should get back to Netfabb and learn it when I have a little more time. 

thanks

Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Steve Bond on October 12, 2012 at 9:27am

I am assuming you are using Rhino, in which case when you create the STL file go ahead and open the STL file you just created and select:-   file/ properties and make sure the units are set to what you want, if not change it and save again

When I email a file to anyone I always tell them to check the part size, to avoid the error you described.

I have a my 3d printer units set to inches so I have to make sure the files coming in are scaled correctly, but it's not a big deal, the conversion is "push button." I don't know why you would need to split a 40cm part into 4, My printer and most of the vendors I use have a 12 inch build envelope so you should only need to split your part once. If you need a part quote or any further help let me know.

Good luck

Steve

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Adcock on October 12, 2012 at 4:05pm

Hi Steve.  Thanks.

Yes, I'm using Rhino.  I "slolved" the problem by pasting the 40cm object into a new Rhino file set to mm, which gave a me a giant looking 400mm object, then exported to STL from there. 

I'd be interested in knowing why the STL file defaults to a smaller scale than the orginal though...

The printers can do the 40cm object but quoted $3000!  Quite a surprise.  Waiting on a quote for the smaller pieces.  They said it would be a lot cheaper.  It would want to be!

cheers

Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Steve Bond on October 12, 2012 at 4:52pm

When you save a file to STL format there is no option to specify units. I think the default is millimeters but I'm not sure. I seem to remember having the same issue, after opening the file and saving in inches, whenever I create an STL file it now it defaults to inches, my guess is if you used mm the default will continue to be mm.  When larger parts are printed the support structure to build them tends to get bigger so the build time increases and so obviously does the cost, if the part your making isn't very thin you might consider CNC machining it, it may be cheaper.

Steve

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