Handling, manipulating and combining STL files
Stupid newbee question (I guess) but I'll throw it in anyways. 😀
I'm used to work in SolidWorks for my 3D models. Thats all nice and great but now I'm confronted with STL files which are a total crap to handle within SolidWorks. So there has to be another solution which fits my needs. Due to the fact that I don't know any software which might fulfill my need I'm placing this question here. Maybe this will help somebody else aswell.
What are my needs:
- I want to merge some STL files which I downloaded into one object. Think about it like that: I design a base plate and then put different parts from i.e. thingiverse onto that base plate. When it is printed it should be one object without the need of glue.
- When I place the objects I also want to be able to resize them.
- It would be perfect it it is possible to select one plane of two objects and then have a command where they merge together at that plane (as SolidWorks does it if you have an assembly).
- By the end I want to save that as STL to throw it into the slicer.
Would be great if you can give me recommendations regarding software packages which can do that. 😎
License preferences:
- Open source is perfect (if it works accordingly)
- Freeware (great if it works)
- Payware (don't mind to spend some money on really good software as long as I am able to test it before to see if it is that what I was searching for.)
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and discussion. 🙂
Re: Handling, manipulating and combining STL files
It's not the easiest in the world to use (at least for me), but MeshMixer seems to be good as smooshing STL's together. I don't know about it's combining capabilities, but many seem to really love TinkerCAD for editing STL's.
Re: Handling, manipulating and combining STL files
Blender, complete GPL 3D suite. https://blender.org
It is not that easy to use in the first go but very much worth it. I contruct all my objects in Blender; http://www.thingiverse.com/calli/designs
Because Blender is NOT a CAD it has some quirks if you come from CAD but as it is a polygon specialist STL will be handled with ease.
Best,
Carsten
My Prints: https://www.prusaprinters.org/social/15695-carsten/prints
My Employer: https://make-magazin.de
Re: Handling, manipulating and combining STL files
Thanks for the replies so far. Highly appreciated!
I had a short look into TinkerCAD and it seems that this is the thing I was looking for (even while I don't like working in cloud-tools). Will have to investigate some more but it is easy to handle and seems to do the job.
I also had short look into Blender. This drives me nuts as a person who is comming from CAD. I don't have a clue on how to do anything. Very confusing if you use it for the first time. I'm sure that it is a great software but I'm not sure if it is for me. I'm sure you'll suggest your book as a good start. 😆 😉
Re: Handling, manipulating and combining STL files
First thing is that (historically and for a good reason of muscle memory) selecting in Blender by default is done with the RIGHT mouse button (RMB) 🙂 You can change it in the user preferences (ctrl-alt-U, Input Tab)
Second roadblock is that keycommands only reach windows with the mouse over.
- So import your STLs via File->Import->STL
- select one with RMB (or LMB) and try to move it, press (shortly!) G and move the mouse, confirm with LMB, abort with RMB or ESC
- same for Rotate (R) or Scale (S)
- Change views with the numbers on the Numpad(!). Pad7 is Top, Pad1 Front, Pad3 Left. To get the opposite use STRG-PAD.
- with RMB select one Object, then hold SHIFT and select more
- File->Export-> STL Check "Selection Only" enter a path/Filename on top of the window and use the "Export STL" Button top right.
Easy eh? 😉 I know it is not but trust me Blender is once learned very effective
Carsten
My Prints: https://www.prusaprinters.org/social/15695-carsten/prints
My Employer: https://make-magazin.de