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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Deepak Gupta Jun 10, 2011 1:45 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Thanks Charles for sharing it
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Scott McFadden Jun 10, 2011 11:00 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Thanks Charles. This is some awesome effort on your part!!!
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
V. M Jun 12, 2011 4:00 PM (in response to Scott McFadden)Charles,
a question about that video: in the end, does SW still import the DWG/DXF just as a 3d mesh, or can you actually make it into a solid part? The DXF Import Tool seems to offer that (that 2nd option "import to a new part" - right?
Can you please help me with the problem in my thread "import 3D DWG or STL: how to make a "solid"?"
thanks,
vm
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Jun 13, 2011 2:04 PM (in response to V. M)VM,
The SolidWorks data for the imported part will be real SolidWorks geometry. It may have gaps and only come in as a surface body. It will be real geometry that you can clean up by hand and convert to a solid body, if it doesn't just come in solid to begin with.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Mans Collner Jun 12, 2011 9:17 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Thanks for sharing this.
I do some mesh import from time to time, and tend to use ScanTo3D in the import-dropdown for STL's or any mesh. Not only does this override the size limit, it also makes it easy to handle the mesh data for smoothing and cleaning. And if solid geometry is needed, ScanTo3D really makes it simple to create solid geometry (straight MCAD-style or organic-style) in a way that is repeatable and allows more than just the mapping options given by flat dead surfaces.
ScanTo3D is quite cool, I wish it had some of the mesh operations MeshLab can do.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
V. M Jun 14, 2011 1:54 PM (in response to Mans Collner)@ Charles:
In your video, as you move pointer over the imported part, there are some (brown?) curves flashing on, mapping closely the faceted part. Can those curves be used to smoothen the part 'in bulk' rather than doing 1 facet at a time?
@ Mans:
Can the ScanTo3D SWPremium tool import 'empty' polygonal meshes created in sw like SoftImage (as .OBJ or .STP and translated to a 3D .DWG file) - or is it limited to just importing a scanner mesh/point cloud?
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Jun 14, 2011 2:27 PM (in response to V. M)VM,
Yes, you can. In fact, you might be best of using "convert entities" inside a sketch, which will allow you to turn those edges into sketch lines. Then use "fit spline" to smooth out those rough straight edges into smooth curves.
And yes, ScanTo3D can use STL files as an input. I don't believe it can use .obj, but you can use MeshLab to convert the OBJ to STL.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Aaron Baumgartner Jun 14, 2011 3:12 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Scan to 3d will do obj, however it opens it as a mesh and then you need to run the mesh prep and surface wizard on it. Even with scan to 3d sw is limited to how large of a stl file it can open (i believe under 1mb) if its larger it will only do a graphics body stl.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
V. M Jun 14, 2011 3:39 PM (in response to Aaron Baumgartner)Thanks, Charles and Aaron!
Looks like I'll have to find another way then, as the .STL is 27MB (over 500k faces) - perhaps that Sycode stl converter somebody recommended.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Jon Schmidt Aug 11, 2011 4:42 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Hey Charles,
Thanks for the tip!
What version of SW are you running? I'm on 2010 64-bit SP4.0, and when I drag and drop the dxf file that I created in MeshLab into solidworks, the dxf/dwg import manager appears like it does on your video; however, my "import to a new part" radio button doesn't have the added sub-option of adding as a 3D curve or model. It simply creates a new sketch and shows 2D data.
Any ideas?
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Aug 11, 2011 4:44 PM (in response to Jon Schmidt)I assume this functionality has been around for years. I am using 2011, but to the best of my knowledge the only thing they added in 2011 to the DXF import was the ability to properly import layers.
I don't know what to say...
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Taylor Sep 21, 2011 10:56 AM (in response to Charles Culp)I saw the same thing with SW 2009 SP3.0. When you begin the opening process on a DXF file, the screen that you are presented (equivalent to the one at 3:25 in the above video) you will see an option for "Import to a new part." After clicking "Next," you are presented with a wireframe drawing with the parts of the DXF file shown in a panel on the left. Enabling/disabling items is subject to debate. Clicking "Next" takes you to the final screen where you have the option to bring the geometry in as 3D curves or solids, and choose the units of measure.
Hope that helps.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
K. C Nov 8, 2012 12:07 AM (in response to Charles Culp)Thanks Charles really awesome video, which is really helpfull for biomechanics and anotomy related modeling projects to recognise the complicate curves and splines
regards
K.C
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Nov 8, 2012 9:01 AM (in response to K. C)K.C.
If you do this all the time, there is a better tool for this using ScanTo3D, which is an add-in that comes with SolidWorks Premium. This tool is designed to import large amounts of mesh data. If you really need to deal with mesh data, then that is the tool I suggest.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Yasir Anwar Nov 26, 2012 11:50 PM (in response to Charles Culp)HI there,
it was a really nice video up there... tell me what if my file size inital one is of 69 MB in STL and when i use meshlab it converts it into dxf file of around 288MB. and now what to do as this file size is too large ... MY mashes has 1439422 faces and 731868 vertices. I guess i am stuck.so if u have any solution let me know either here or my email
Regards
Yasir
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Nov 27, 2012 8:52 AM (in response to Yasir Anwar)Yasir,
For an STL that size, this method will not work. You need to use a tool like ScanTo3D (which comes with SolidWorks Premium) to import that size STL file. The method I have described above is really meant for files that are still fairly simple models, but more complex than the standard SolidWorks STL import tool.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Aaron Baumgartner Nov 27, 2012 9:04 AM (in response to Charles Culp)even with scan to 3d you are still limited to the file size of the stl. i have found that for sw to import a stl as a surface or solid body it needs to be under a 1mb file size. If larger it will only import it as a graphics body. SW can not open a 69mb stl file!
look into the stl import add-on from sycode. this should be able to import it, but it will take a LONG time!!
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Andy Lang Jan 16, 2013 2:56 AM (in response to Charles Culp)Just to say brilliant video Charles,
youve helped me out in the past and now i call for you again please. Im in a similar boat to Aaron, I have three 3d scans making the X, Y & Z of a car roof - each iges file is around 60,000 kb and really slowing everything up.
Ive just found out we have 3d scan on this machine but it doesnt seem to want to do anything with my model. The model has come in as 7000 imported curves (in Z axis only) and 3d scan only shows the curve wizard - yet doesnt see any curves when trying to use it.
Any help would be superb thank you,
Andy
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Jan 16, 2013 9:24 AM (in response to Andy Lang)Sorry Andy, I have never tried ScanTo3D. We use NextEngine here, so I am unfamilliar with the SolidWorks tool.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
1-4EQZK9 Jan 16, 2013 10:28 AM (in response to Andy Lang)Hi Andy,
You should be able to open those up into ScanTo3D and make mesh out of them. If there is a problem it could be lack of installed Memory. I would get your VAR involved. Funny, I'm preparing a presentation right now on Reverse Engineering and ScanTo3D for SWW next week.
but it doesnt seem to want to do anything with my model.
What is the file type that you are bring in? Are you using the explicit ScanTo3D add-in file types (at the bottom of the file type pull-down in the open file dialog?
Mark
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Charles Culp Jan 16, 2013 10:38 AM (in response to Charles Culp)Since this thread continues to get a bit of attention, let me add a disclaimer. The method I have laid out here is akin ito taking the catalytic converter & mufflers off of your car to get more horsepower. Yeah, it works. It will help a little. To really get more power, though, you need the real tools.
I look forward to your presentation, Mark, although if I remember correctly I am unavailable at the time you are presenting.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Josa Hanzlik Oct 1, 2013 9:07 AM (in response to Charles Culp)Charles,
Great video. I have an STL file, which I converted into a DFX. I really only want the bottom perimeter as a 2D sketch. I imported as a 2D sketch but am unable to convert entities. Do you have a suggestion?
Thanks,
Josa
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Feng Wei Sep 4, 2013 11:54 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Do you know how to convert a STL file which includes 857,000 triangles into a solid model in Solidworks? Every time I have to down size the triangles to 20,000 in order to get a solid model. But the model does not look as smooth as the original size STL file.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Jerry Brian Oct 3, 2013 11:17 AM (in response to Feng Wei)How do you downsize the number of triangles? Is that possible in Meshlab?
I can live with less resolution for a smaller file size.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Jerry Brian Oct 16, 2013 11:42 AM (in response to Jerry Brian)I had an interesting problem. SW would crash bringing in the DXF.
Well the problem was, I had the DXF on a thumb drive. That slowed down the process and it was copying dozens of SLDPRT files back to the thumb drive, and it would get full, and then crash SW. Copy it to a HardDrive first!
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Tom Taylor Dec 13, 2013 2:01 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Thanks very much, Charles. This has been valuable.
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Matt Grandin Jun 4, 2014 10:15 AM (in response to Charles Culp)Hi,
I'm having trouble seeing the video, is there a direct link?
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Re: How to import large STL files (or any mesh)
Shachar Liberman Dec 22, 2014 7:35 AM (in response to Charles Culp)I used MeshLab to reduce the vertices count, and then I was able to load it to solidwork with ease.
yes, this is not the purpose of this thread, but I know this will help the next guy around; If you don't need all those polygons in your model, just reduce the size!