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Any 3D CAD peeps here?

JolietJames

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Member Number
3040
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348
If this is posted in the wrong area, I'll ask a mod to move it.
I have some files that are only available in 3DS, OBJ, FBV, 3dm, and STL.
I was able to get an OBJ to something usable in Fusion 360 but some other more complex models are giving me fits.
Working with mesh in F36 isn't too difficult if the files are relatively small/simple but once the triangles get well over 10k, it's a nightmare.
I need solid bodies for what I'm doing and I am in over my head in this area.
I have reached out to local 3d modelers but they are not interested in taking on new work, or do not have the software.
If someone can give me some ideas to try or if you can do it, please let me know.
The models were obtained through purchasing royalty-free licenses, so they cannot be shared/copied if you work with them.
 
Have you tried the mesh to solid in F360? It can be hit and miss depending how complex the model is but for simple stuff it's worked for me.
 
I've rarely gone backward with .stl files into Fusion but it seems to work okay other than losing all specific features.
 
I've tried the convert.
I've created face groups and tried.
I've created face groups and combined them and tried.
I cannot get it to do a parametric prismatic body.
I created a planar body to but up against the back of the faceted model and tried to Fill Boundary and my computer has shown "Compute Started" for about 60 minutes with a sliver on the status bar.
 
I can probably convert STL files into other formats. They will lose any parametric ability in the conversion.

If you want to send me one to test out I can give it a try.

I'm using Creo (ProE).
 
lt1yj said:
I can probably convert STL files into other formats. They will lose any parametric ability in the conversion.

If you want to send me one to test out I can give it a try.

I'm using Creo (ProE).
Click to expand...
I haven't used ProE in maybe 15 years. I'll send you a file when i get home.
Thank you
 
STL is probably your best option for use in Fustion 360, but that's being optimistic. Those formats are geometry-based formats, so they won't have any parametric details. nPower makes some decent convertors for a variety of softwares to get mesh back to parametric surfaces, and they work with decent but limited results.

If it were me, and I needed parametric models, I'd just redraw everything. That seems to be better than dicking with conversions or forcing myself to work with wrong formats.
 
animator said:
STL is probably your best option for use in Fustion 360, but that's being optimistic. Those formats are geometry-based formats, so they won't have any parametric details. nPower makes some decent convertors for a variety of softwares to get mesh back to parametric surfaces, and they work with decent but limited results.

If it were me, and I needed parametric models, I'd just redraw everything. That seems to be better than dicking with conversions or forcing myself to work with wrong formats.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing the model is complex enough or built using surfaces that it would be too much of a hassle to draw from scratch. I'm willing to have a look at it, but I have had little luck with manipulating STLs in the past (Inventor and F360 here)
 
Not being a fusion guy, it says it will open SW files. Converting STL to SLDPRT is pretty easy, I just don't know what will be lost in the conversion. I pretty regularly import STL to Mastercam which works well.
 
I have Inventor and Onshape. I think Inventor talks nicely to Fusion because they're the same parent company (autodesk).

I'd be willing to see if I can convert them for ya.
 
Do you need to modify the solid body of the parts you are converting, or just use them in an assembly?

Solidworks will convert STLs to SLDPRT files, but it just come in as one single body. It does have some ability to then recognize features and break it down, but thats hit and miss at best and tends to work better with simple parts.
 
Ghetto Fab. said:
Do you need to modify the solid body of the parts you are converting, or just use them in an assembly?

Solidworks will convert STLs to SLDPRT files, but it just come in as one single body. It does have some ability to then recognize features and break it down, but thats hit and miss at best and tends to work better with simple parts.
Click to expand...
Yes I take the solid bodies and scale them to combine them with existing bodies I designed.
I just do not have the expertise nor the time to learn the skills required to make complex bodies like what I am purchasing.
I tried the sculpt environment in Fusion a couple years ago but could not get anywhere.
 
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