Combining multiple STL files

[jimustanguitar]

Does anybody have a slick way to cut up STL files and combine them?

I really like this flight controller case design: www.thingiverse.com/thing:243177
But want to get rid of the mounting tabs and add this antivibration mount: www.thingiverse.com/thing:163494

What's the best way to do something like that?

[jimustanguitar]

I did find a way to get them into DesignSpark... That's a good start, but it's a multi-step process.

www.mastersketchup.com/working-with-stl-files-in-sketchup-for-3d-printing/

Basically, you use an STL plugin for Scatsup that lets you import the stl files. Then, another plugin will cleanup the faces for you (described in the 1st link). You can erase lines and simplify thing in scatsup if you like.

Then you have to save it as a SKP version 8 file to import it into DesignSpark following these instructions: www.rs-online.com/designspark/electronics/eng/tutorial/designspark-mechanical-import-formats-explained

[bvandiepenbos]

I use netfabb for cutting stl files into pieces. But you can not combine stls that I know of.

Meshmixer would be the way to cut/combine/modify stls

You sure went through a bunch of hoops.
Why didnt you import the source stls straight into Design Spark ?

[jimustanguitar]

Because DesignSpark imports them as a mesh, and that's not very editable... The Sketchup plugin makes them closer to usable geometry.

[sgraber]

I think you can natively work with stls in Blender, but that's another program to learn. This is where I *really* like it when people upload their original source files, whether it be Sketchup, Inventor, or Solidworks.

Another thing you could try is OpenSCAD. You'd have to cut your individual parts in Netfabb, then import and union() them in OpenSCAD. Any way you go about it, it will most likely be a multi-step process..

[BeeAmaker]

I will have to check but I think I can combine two STL's in TurboCAD.

[jimustanguitar]

I found a much easier way to get STL files into DSM and simplified into a usable state!!

Open the stl mesh, and in the "structure" pane on the left side, you can right click on it and select "merge faces" under the "convert to solid" option. Super easy. Looks as clean or better than the Cleanup3 extension in Sketchup.

[ZionPhil]

Good work Jim.

[bvandiepenbos]

GREAT find there Jim.

I have one for ya, try "pivot edge" on the pop-up menu when in the pull tool.


the more I use DS the more I love it.!
I have drawn several more useful items, each time I find more to like. I am getting reasonably proficient really quickly.
It just clicks (finally)

[BeeAmaker]

I've been meaning to get more into it, looks fairly intuitive.

[sgraber]

If that's the case (that DSM can work with stls like that) I may switch to using that as my go-to program for modifying stls instead of in Sketch up...

[jimustanguitar]

Apparently it's a new feature because I tried the same thing on my computer running version 1, and I couldn't figure out how to do it. I should really read the change log / release notes from DSM2.0.