Multiple STLs lose relative positions  

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

Save all parts  for one model, 
Add the first part(one which touches the build plate) to the build plate, 
Right click on the first part, choose Add Part>Load, and add the next part using the load option... 
they should self align. 
Add the rest of the parts in the same manner. 

regards Joan

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

That didn't help, although the fact that my design is in mils and I'm scaling after loading - it might have something to do with that?

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

can you create a zip file with your parts in it, and load the zipfile, for us to have a look at? 

when you say mils do you mean millimeters? 
if so,  what are you scaling the dimensions to? 
Prusa slicer is designed to work in millimeters
regards Joan

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

panel

When I said mils, I meant the original work is in units of .001 inch (since the PCB design program uses mils since most footprints are in those units).  I've attached a version that I pre-scaled in AutoCad to be in millimeters.  The text is thicker than required because I was originally fooled into thinking it was too thin, rather than slightly mis-registered when I last printed it.

Maybe Autocad fixes the origin of an exported STL at an extremity of the specific object, in which case I could add small registration objects outside the model?

RE:

Posted by: @jim-gurley

That didn't help, although the fact that my design is in mils and I'm scaling after loading - it might have something to do with that?

What JoanTabb writes is fine and works. Your model should already be created from the modeling program so that it does not need any scaling in Prusaslicer. This usually breaks all the dependencies of the parts of the model on each other.

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

Scaling in Autocad doesn't help.

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

Hi Jim, 

you were correct, the relationships had been broken at some stage

the files you sent, were a front panel with cutouts for the letters, and a set of letters to fill the cutouts. 

If you were planning to do these parts as separate entities they don't need to line up

When using Prusa Slicer, there is a little used option, where you can use a modifier, to insert parts of a print, without cutting holes... 
Which makes lining up components Much easier...   
So I have blanked the cut outs, in the main panel 

You appear to have a single colour printer, Artillery Sidewinder... 

I was wondering how you intended to print the model

I have created three  project files for you 

Blank Panel.3mf   is just the blank panel and the letters, lined up in position (Needs Lots of Supports)
(Note, the letter strokes are very narrow and didn't want to resolve using a 0.4mm nozzle, so I used XY Compensation, to artificially widen the letters)
Blank Panel Multicolour       is the same file, set up, as I would set a prusa, for manual multicolour  (Needs Lots of Supports)

Blank Panel Face down    is the same panel printing in it's face so  hopefully you will get a good finish off the build plate surface, and you will need less supports

hope this helps

Joan

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

I have a Bambu A1 - no idea where the other model type came from.  Thanks for all your work  - I'll give it a try in the next day or so.  I don't think I understand the "one part or multiple parts" question when I load the model.

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

I designed the part to be printed face down - no support is needed - all the overhangs have 45deg corbels (or whatever the right name is).  I wanted to print it as one part.  I can make the text a little bigger although Autocad isn't the easiest tool!

I now realize that if I load as separate parts, if I place both face down on the plate before trying to line them up, I only have to move the text in 2D since it sticks to the print surface.

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

Have a play with XY Compensation, for the TEXT, 
It artificially increases the dimensions in the X and Y directions. 
this can be particularly helpful if you have varying line thicknesses (Like Times Roman) where the thin sections may be too thin to print. 

regards Joan

RE: Multiple STLs lose relative positions

I don't see an XY compensation function.  The text objects aren't "text", as Autocad forces you to explode text and extrude it to make 3D objects.  I really should move to a more modern CAD program, but after 40 years of use, it's difficult for a very occasional user.

RE:

XY Size Compensation is under print settings, advanced,   in Expert Mode

and it works with any STL