How to measure my part which is in stl file format?

Sébastien 0-B

5 Nov, 2013 01:59 PM

Ok the tutorial didn't follow...

I'll retry :

1. Step 1:

   You can measure in Meshlab with this tool
   

   

2. Step 2:

   There is an other way too. You'll be able to open it in SW.

   You just need to know SW can handle a maximum of 100 000 triangles for a surface importation and 20 000 for a solid importation. You'll understand later

   Now you'll need to decrease the number of element using meshlab.

   Go to filters, and quadric edge collapse decimation
   

   

3. Step 3:

   Selec the target number of element. More you have triangle, more detail you'll have so I alway choose the maximum that SW can handle..

   The result will be +- 1 or 2 triangles, so I alway let me 5 triangles of spare

   Select apply
   

   

4. Step 4:

   You can see the number isn't exact
   

   

5. Step 5:

   Now export your mesh
   

   

6. Step 6:

   Choose STL file format
   

   

7. Step 7:

   Now go to SW.

   Clic on open and choose the STL format. Now go to option

   

8. Step 8:

   Choose Surface (the third option)

   That what I told in previous step. Graphic option as no limit for the number of triangle. Volume is 20 000 and surface 100 000..

   If you measure and it make no sens, that's because your unit in this page wasn't good. Try an other one
   

   

9. Step 9:

   Now you can measure with the tool.

   For the exemple I droped triangles to 20 000, it's too long to open with 100 000 (about 20 min for me)
   

   

10. Step 10:

    There is a second way to work with STL with SW. It's useful when you need to redraw something. It can create automatic surface and it's really helpful

    Go to meshlab. Open your file and export it in PLY format (OBJ works well too). You don't need to reduce the number of element, solidworks will be able to do it for you if you want
    

    

11. Step 11:

    Now go to SW, create a new file.

    Activate SCAN to 3D module
    

    

12. Step 12:

    Right Clic on the quick acces toolbar and activate Scan to 3D. It will give you 6 new buttons
    

    

13. Step 13:

    Now open your PLY or OBJ file.

    You'll notice SW open it as a mesh (like meshlab) and don't try to make any surface or solid or even a graphic image. I don't know why it's not possible with a stl file format.. Well..
    

    

14. Step 14:

    Now start the surface preparation

    I won't explain each step, but it's really straight forward.. You can move the origin, delete noise, cut your mesh, fill hole, etc etc
    

    

15. Step 15:

    Be sure the box ''start surface assistant'' is clicked and press next
    

    

16. Step 16:

    Now you have 2 choice : automatic or guided surface creation. I usually use guided because you can choose exactly what you need.. Up to you to discover each one

    Now you can extract surfaces
    

    

17. Step 17:

    Here is surfaces of blades. Now the fun part begin. You'll to cut and to recreate your model.