logo
NOTICE:  This is the new PunchCAD forum. You should have received an email with your new password around August 27, 2014. If you did not, or would like it reset, simply use the Lost Password feature, and enter Answer as the security answer.
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error
Simple way to convert STL to solid
Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Previous Topic Next Topic
macnavi  
#1 Posted : Friday, July 22, 2016 5:53:01 PM(UTC)
macnavi

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 5/23/2012(UTC)
Posts: 274
Netherlands

Thanks: 13 times
Was thanked: 13 time(s) in 10 post(s)
I don't have Powerpack, but ViaCad 2D/3D v8 (v9 as well, but the latest release is unworkable) and I stupidly used STL's in my design. It was the only way to get a bit of speed with ViaCad, as with the solids it took about 5-10 minutes when you moved them.

Anyway, I read a few months ago, the standard version of our software has a function to convert simple STL objects to solids. It was not a dedicated function like Powerpack had, but something already built in that does the trick as well. But I can't remember it. Who does?
My model steam trams at Tramfabriek.nl

Mac OS X El Capitan 10.12.5 - VC Pro v12
Back to top
WWW
L. Banasky  
#2 Posted : Saturday, July 23, 2016 3:34:30 AM(UTC)
L. Banasky

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 2/16/2007(UTC)
Posts: 602

Thanks: 153 times
Was thanked: 149 time(s) in 102 post(s)
Import the STL file.
Select All.
Edit- Change Object Type-Choose Solid
L. Banasky attached the following image(s):
Change Object Type.jpg (49kb) downloaded 10 time(s).

You cannot view/download attachments. Try to login or register.
Back to top
thanks 1 user thanked L. Banasky for this useful post.
macnavi on 7/23/2016(UTC)
macnavi  
#3 Posted : Saturday, July 23, 2016 4:02:43 AM(UTC)
macnavi

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 5/23/2012(UTC)
Posts: 274
Netherlands

Thanks: 13 times
Was thanked: 13 time(s) in 10 post(s)
Oh, I thought and remembered wrong that that didn't work. But I just tried it and it does work indeed. Very slow, but it works... Thanks for the reminder!
My model steam trams at Tramfabriek.nl

Mac OS X El Capitan 10.12.5 - VC Pro v12
Back to top
WWW
macnavi  
#4 Posted : Monday, December 5, 2016 5:37:10 PM(UTC)
macnavi

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 5/23/2012(UTC)
Posts: 274
Netherlands

Thanks: 13 times
Was thanked: 13 time(s) in 10 post(s)
When I have converted the Mesh to a solid, I would like to smoothen it and remove the triangles. I remember seeing this in a video of Tim, but don't know the video anymore and can't remember how this goes. Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?
My model steam trams at Tramfabriek.nl

Mac OS X El Capitan 10.12.5 - VC Pro v12
Back to top
WWW
murray  
#5 Posted : Tuesday, December 6, 2016 1:26:32 AM(UTC)
murray

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 9/24/2014(UTC)
Posts: 373
Australia

Thanks: 8 times
Was thanked: 104 time(s) in 85 post(s)
It takes Power Pack Pro convert-to-nurbs, but even that doesn't like triangles much. Preprocessing to quads within PPP isn't always satisfying either. Retopology is something that needs attention.
Back to top
Tim Olson  
#6 Posted : Tuesday, December 6, 2016 11:09:11 AM(UTC)
Tim Olson

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 2/2/2007(UTC)
Posts: 5,447
United States

Was thanked: 502 time(s) in 353 post(s)
>>Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?


ViaCAD/Shark will stitch facets with no errors up to around 4000. Each facet will create one face in the resultant solid.

PowerPack Pro will:

  • Stitch larger number of facets
    --Licenses additional technology that supports stitching large number of facets

  • Subdivision to NURB
    —Converts mostly quads NURBs
    —Produces optimized NURBS (ex 2M quads converted into 832 nurb faces)
    —G2 (smooth) between patches
    —Unlike T-Splines, supported on MAC
    —Video Link

  • General Mesh to Analytic Solid
    —Segments a mesh into analytic shapes and restitches into solid
    —Helps preserve holes, circles, arcs, and splines
    --Video Link


    Tim

    Edited by user Tuesday, December 6, 2016 5:17:52 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

    • Tim Olson
    IMSI Design/Encore
    Back to top
    ipc1-de  
    #7 Posted : Sunday, January 29, 2017 2:48:55 AM(UTC)
    ipc1-de

    Rank: Guest

    Joined: 1/28/2017(UTC)
    Posts: 8
    Man
    Germany
    Originally Posted by: Tim Olson Go to Quoted Post
    >>Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?


    ViaCAD/Shark will stitch facets with no errors up to around 4000. Each facet will create one face in the resultant solid.

    PowerPack Pro will:

  • General Mesh to Analytic Solid
    —Segments a mesh into analytic shapes and restitches into solid
    —Helps preserve holes, circles, arcs, and splines
    --Video Link

    Tim


    • Hi Tim,

    in my ViaCAD 10 PRO (Build 1308) with PowerPack I miss some functions: (Mesh to Analytic)

    viacad10propower.png


    Markus
    File Attachment(s):
    screenshot_18.png (1,360kb) downloaded 10 time(s).

    You cannot view/download attachments. Try to login or register.
    ViaCAD 10 PRO + PowerPack / MAC OSX 10.12 Sierra
    Back to top
    L. Banasky  
    #8 Posted : Sunday, January 29, 2017 10:30:54 AM(UTC)
    L. Banasky

    Rank: Senior Member

    Joined: 2/16/2007(UTC)
    Posts: 602

    Thanks: 153 times
    Was thanked: 149 time(s) in 102 post(s)
    There has been confusion between PowerPack and PowerPack Pro.
    I think what you have is ViaCad 10 Pro with PowerPack.
    The additional Mesh tools are only included with PowerPack Pro.
    Larry
    L. Banasky attached the following image(s):
    PowerPack Pro.jpg (79kb) downloaded 16 time(s).

    You cannot view/download attachments. Try to login or register.
    Back to top
    Tim Olson  
    #9 Posted : Monday, January 30, 2017 1:42:24 PM(UTC)
    Tim Olson

    Rank: Senior Member

    Joined: 2/2/2007(UTC)
    Posts: 5,447
    United States

    Was thanked: 502 time(s) in 353 post(s)
    >>The additional Mesh tools are only included with PowerPack Pro.

    The mesh to solid tools license a 3rd party library which is available in PowerPack Pro.

    Tim


    Tim Olson
    IMSI Design/Encore
    Back to top
    Users browsing this topic
    Guest (5)
    Forum Jump  
    You cannot post new topics in this forum.
    You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
    You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
    You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
    You cannot create polls in this forum.
    You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

    Powered by YAF.NET 2.1.2 | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET