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Separate parts from STL ?  

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christophe.p
(@christophe-p)
Member Moderator
Separate parts from STL ?

Hi,

I have an issue with some STL models, that have every pieces positioned at the final position of the object once assembled, and that I cannot separate to modify and to print.

Let's take this one for example: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1240860

I do not get a way to move away the cover of the case and manipulate it as a separate object.

I'm getting use to design with 123D Design but using any other application to separate the various parts as others STL would be an acceptable workaround for me.

How do you do such manipulation ?

I'm like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

Posted : 14/03/2016 11:06 am
PJR
 PJR
(@pjr)
Antient Member Moderator
Re: Separate parts from STL ?

Hi Christophe

I simply upload to Tinkercad and put holes where I don't want to print. Either that or use Netfabb basic to cut the part up.

Peter

Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…

Posted : 14/03/2016 11:10 am
christophe.p
(@christophe-p)
Member Moderator
Topic starter answered:
Re: Separate parts from STL ?

Hi Peter,

I just give a try to Netfab, but apparently, like FreeCAD, it's considering the whole thing as a single part, and cannot find a way to separate the two real parts of the design (main body and cover of the case).

I know I could use simple objects (cubes, ...) to remove area by combination, but when the parts intricates together, it's really a painful process, that's why I'd like to find a way to just move parts away from each other.

I'm like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

Posted : 14/03/2016 11:29 am
PJR
 PJR
(@pjr)
Antient Member Moderator
Re: Separate parts from STL ?

Christophe

If you only have the STL file, then there is no other way. You need the original file (SCAD etc) to do what you want.

Peter

Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…

Posted : 14/03/2016 11:33 am
christophe.p
(@christophe-p)
Member Moderator
Topic starter answered:
Re: Separate parts from STL ?

Mmmmh, looks like I found a good way, so I share it 🙂

Using MeshMixer (from Autodesk), do the following:

- Import your STL file of your multiple part object (I did the test with my example example: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1240860 )
- click on the "select" tool (icon on the left toolbar)
Loop this sequence for each part of the object:
- double click on a vertex of one of the part. It seems like MeshMixer have a very clever way to expand the selection to all the vertex of what can be consider as a single part.
- Click on "Modify -> Invert" So that everything excepted your piece will be selected"
- Press suppr. So only your piece will remain.
- Choose "Export" on left menu toolbar -> Choose STL format
- Press "Ctrl-Z" three time, so that you go back to the point where your piece is selected,
- Press suppr. So that everytinh excepted your just exported piece will remain.
Loopback until you have exported every part of your object and nothing remains.

Following this way, you have a nobrainer way to have each part exported in separated stl file.

I'm like Jon Snow, I know nothing.

Posted : 14/03/2016 2:57 pm
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