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ptc-49550171-Visitor
1-Visitor
February 6, 2013
Solved

Can't create STL for 3D printing due to imported geometry

  • February 6, 2013
  • 8 replies
  • 6388 views

I am trying to create an STL file from a part so that I can send to our 3D printer. Currenly I cannot create an STL file because nearly the entire part is an imported feature. The part file is the only ProE file that I have available to me, so I cannot try to find the original file to fix. I was wondering if there was a way to merge or solidy the surfaces of the imported feature so that I can create an STL file. Obviously I would like to avoid going through and selecting each and every feature to solify.

Is there any easy way to do this? Or is there a better workaround so I can get this part printing? I need it for a presentation on Friday...

Thanks,

Shawn


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Best answer by TomD.inPDX

Shawn, I send you the files of the corrected part. Ignore my 1st email model (it was an X_T file).

For everyone's entertainment... I used Cadkey '99 to heal the part and finished the primary offending feature with Creo. The Import Data Doctor was all but useless in this occasion.

Cadkey provided a very good Step export into Creo 2.0 and finally had to remove a large segment of the offending feature. Once I closed up the holes that the removal left, it solidified fine. It was a duplicate feature so I was able to copy the feature using a separate copy of the model. I trimmed up the second model to fill the void and properly match the surfaces. I then assembled the two models and used the merge capability of Creo so it would all sew back into one part model.

Shawn, I hope you got the part in time to grow the STL for your presentation.

It was a fun exercise! Thanks.

8 replies

TomD.inPDX17-Peridot
17-Peridot
February 6, 2013

Does WF4 have the import doctor?

If you post the file, maybe we can help get it to a more usable format like STEP.

    JoshH1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    February 6, 2013

    Yes, the IDD is in WF4. That would be kind of cool to see the forum help out a fellow member in need

    I'm interested in seeing the complexity of the part. Could be something fairly simple to stitch back up and make work.

    Then again, it could be a nightmare!

    ptc-49550171-VisitorAuthor
    1-Visitor
    February 7, 2013

    Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I do not have access to the original file to be able to use the import doctor. I'm able to save it as an .igs and an .stp file, but that still doesn't help me to create an .stl file.

    The file is actually a confidential file so I cannot post it here to an open forum. But I would be willing to send it individually to an email address if you wouldn't mind to provide one.

    Thanks,

    Shawn

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