A customer of ours has sent me a file as an .stl format from Google Sketch, it opens fine in Solidworks but looks messy with lots of lines. I want to be able to convert to sheet metal and flatten the part but the option isn't available. Is that the end of the road for this type of file or can it be worked with? I've attached a screen shot of what I'm seeing.
Hi Stuart,
First thing to check would be in your system options > import > STL make sure you have the option import as solid body selected
When you import the STL file you will need to do a bit of prep with the model before it is usable. I would suggest using the delete face and fill command in order to remove the triangles, taking it one face at a time.
Or what might be even easier would be to see if your customer can provide a different file format (STEP or Parasolid ……)
Kieran
Hi,
Another option to explore is using the ScanTo3D add in. (Tools>>Add Ins), then open your STL file as a ScanTo3D Mesh File in the file types drop down menu.
Right click on the imported mesh in the feature tree and use the mesh prep wizard and surface wizard, these will guide you through turning the mesh in to a solid (or surface) model.
Thanks, Kyle
Thanks Kyle I will look into this option.
No you don't....try to use XT/IGS/SAT/STEP to export from Google Sketch to Solidworks
Hi Ruben
As far as I know I don't think Google Sketchup Pro can export in these formats because I originally asked for .step or .Iges but I will ask about the XT & SAT
Thanks
Hey Ruben... so, are XT/IGS/SAT/STEP in a special version (Pro)?
To be clear....
| File Type | File Extension(s) | SketchUp Pro and Shop Only? | Learn More Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAD files | .dwg, .dxf | PRO and SHOPonly | Importing and Exporting CAD Files and Starting with a CAD File in SketchUp |
| Image files* | .jpg, .png, .tif, .bmp, .psd, .tga, .pdf, .eps | Some file types are PRO and SHOPonly | Importing and Exporting Image Files |
| STL files | .stl | Importing and Exporting STL Files | |
| COLLADA files | .dae | Importing and Exporting COLLADA Files | |
| 3D Studio (3DS) files | .3ds | PRO and SHOPneeded for export | Importing and Exporting 3DS Files |
| Digital elevation models (DEM files) | .dem, .ddf | Importing DEM Files for Terrain | |
| FBX files | .fbx | PRO and SHOPonly | Exporting FBX Files |
| Google Earth files | .kmz | Exporting KMZ Files for Google Earth | |
| OBJ files | .obj | PRO and SHOPonly | Exporting OBJ Files |
| VRML files | .wrl | PRO and SHOPonly | Exporting VRML Files |
| XSI files | .xsi | PRO and SHOPonly | Exporting XSI files |
You have only one tipe of extension dwg, you can export a SketchUp Model as a 3D CAD file
Stuart,.. yeah/btw,.. if you want to get rid of the majority of the facets (planar)... one trick is the export as a IGES and re-import that IGES and the planar faces will merge into a single face (although you will still have faces for the corner radii)
Thanks Paul
Sounds worth a try, I will give that a go tomorrow, time to go home, cheers
Good luck.
Sheet metal parts are more demanding. Face need to be flat and parallel to get bend.
No. STL is mainly for 3D printing. Its a wire mesh format. It will be faster to redraw.
Those triangulated face may not be flat/co-planar due to rounding error.