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File conversion help request

Question asked by Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014
Latest reply on Sep 16, 2014 by Keith Sloan

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Hello everyone,

I have a file that I need to have converted and wonder if anyone here can assist me. I'm a student and do not have a full version of Solidworks.

I have the source file in its native scad format however I am not knowledgable with scad files or OpenScad. Is like the scad file converted to a stp file if possible.

I also have the file in stl format if it can be converted to a stp file that way.

Here’s a link to “hull2.scad” in my Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ev03nxiouwv85ar/hull2.scad?dl=0

Here’s a link to “body.stl” in my Dropbox:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hd6rwvirqrd1l8o/body.stl?dl=0

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Kris

Jamil Snead Sep 3, 2014 5:04 PM

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I think this should be good. Let me know if you see any problems.

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Jeff Mirisola Sep 2, 2014 3:33 PM
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Kris,
Have you tried to open the .stl file? The student version of SolidWorks is functionally identical to the commercial version, so you should be able to open it.
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- Kris Buquet @ Jeff Mirisola on Sep 2, 2014 4:36 PM
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  Jeff,
  
  I have not as I am on a Mac on only have SolidWorks eDrawing and cannot get the STL to open there.
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Jamil Snead Sep 2, 2014 4:38 PM
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A quick google search turn up this discussion from another forum. Here's what they say you can do:
>Export as CSG from OpenSCAD
>open CSG in FreeCAD
>Save as STEP File
>Open STEP in Solidworks and save as Solidworks Part.

You can skip the last step.
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- Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 5:02 PM
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  Jamil,
  
  That worked, however it renders the wrong part of the file if that makes sense. I was able to export the "arm" to CSG however not the "body" like I need.
  
  The scad file that I have I can open fine in OpenScad, however it shows one portion of a part (the "arm") and I need it to show a different portion of a part (the "body"). I was told that I need to look up where "body" is commented out, then uncomment that and comment "arms" then I should be able to view the body. Needless to say I am a little lost and cannot get the "body" to display so that I can export the body as a CSG.
  
  Thanks.
  
  -Kris
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  - Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014 6:17 PM
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    See what happens if you open this in OpenScad.
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    hull2 JS.scad.zip2.8 KB
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    - Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 6:41 PM
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      This is what I get when I do the render in OpenSCAD. Looks good, however when I export to CSG then open in FreeCAD I get an error and no file shows up.
      
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      - Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014 7:08 PM
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        Yeah apparently FreeCAD doesn't like the "resize" command. I'll see if I can fix it using scale instead.
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      - Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014 7:40 PM
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        See if you are able to open this one in FreeCAD. I don't get the error anymore but FreeCAD freezes. Can you open it?
        
        Edit: It finally opened and then had other errors. I think FreeCAD can't import the Minkowski functions. That is not so easy to change in the source file. Sorry, I don't know what else could be done. Except try to find another free CAD program that can open the CSG file.
        Attachments
        hull2 JS3.csg.zip1.5 KB
        hull2 JS3.scad.zip2.8 KB
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        Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 7:42 PM
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        Jamil,
        
        The SCAD file opens up good, but when I try to open the CSG file in FreeCAD the program just hangs. I'm not sure what's going on. I probably just need to find someone that can create a full and new solid works file for me of the body from the STL if possible.
        
        -Kris
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        Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014 8:13 PM
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        What is your end goal? Do you want to open the part in SolidWorks and then edit it?
        Check the attached file. I converted the STL file to a solid and then saved it as a STP file. The surfaces are all triangles because that's what the STL format is like but maybe it will work for your purposes.
        Attachments
        Body from STL.stp.zip2.8 MB
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        Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 8:16 PM
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        Yeah the end state is so that I can have the part modified and edited in SolidWorks.
        
        Thanks.
        
        -Kris
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        Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 3, 2014 5:04 PM
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        I think this should be good. Let me know if you see any problems.
        Attachments
        Body Rebuilt JS.STEP.zip208.4 KB
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        Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 3, 2014 7:15 PM
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        Perfect. Thanks again.
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        Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 7:51 PM
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        Thanks, I appreciate all of your help and assistance.
        
        Cheers.
        
        -Kris
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    - Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 6:42 PM
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      This is what I get when I open the file that you originally attached. It looks different with the "stems" and such.
      
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  - Jamil Snead @ Kris Buquet on Sep 2, 2014 6:36 PM
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    Nevermind, I think this is actually it. I am downloading FreeCAD now so I'll try to convert it to STP when that's done.
    Attachments
    hull2 JS2.scad.zip2.8 KB
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- Kris Buquet @ Jamil Snead on Sep 2, 2014 5:41 PM
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  Jamil,
  
  I was able to do the conversion like you referenced above, however when I try to open the CSG file in FreeCAD nothing comes up on the screen.
  
  Thanks, I guess I will keep trying to work on it. grrr lol
  
  -Kris
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  - Keith Sloan @ Kris Buquet on Sep 16, 2014 1:17 PM
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    The scad file has quite a few minkowski statements, these are difficult for FreeCAD to handle/convert and even a simple one can cause FreeCAD to just hourglass for ages processing. You could try removing them but then you would loose the smoothing that they create.
    
    By the way you don't have to create a CSG file in OpenSCAD, FreeCAD should just be able to open the scad file, as long as it knows where the OpenSCAD executable is. i.e. It creates the CSG file under the covers as a temporary file which it loads
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    - Keith Sloan @ Keith Sloan on Sep 16, 2014 1:34 PM
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      Don't know if it is of any help.
      
      Attached are the scad file with the minkowski commented out, the resulting FreeCAD file and exported STEP file.
      
      You could try adding the minkowski statements back one at a time and see how you get on, also you might try leaving it running overnight.
      Like I said before even one simple minkowski can take an age.
      Attachments
      hull2_js3.step.zip154.8 KB
      hull2_js3.fcstd.zip161.8 KB
      hull2 JS3.scad.zip2.8 KB
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