Export to STL or OBJ

From FreeCAD Documentation
Revision as of 11:01, 2 May 2018 by HarryGeier (talk | contribs)
Tutorial
Topic
Export to STL or OBJ
Level
Beginner
Time to complete
20 minutes
Authors
r-frank
FreeCAD version
0.16.6703
Example files
See also
None

Introduction

In this tutorial we will cover how to export STL/OBJ-files from FreeCAD. Since the mesh-format STL/OBJ is dimensionless, FreeCAD will assume on export that the units used in the model are in mm. If this is not the case you have to scale your model .

Sample part

You can use your own FreeCAD file, but you could also create a quick test file by

  • Opening FreeCAD
  • Create a new document
  • Switch to part workbench
  • Insert a cube by clicking on
  • Insert a cone by clicking on
  • Select all two objects in the tree view
  • Apply a fusion by clicking on
  • Save your file

Export Method 1: Using "File > Export"

  • Switch to mesh workbench or complete workbench
  • Choose Edit Preferences Import-Export Mesh Formats from the top menu
  • Here you can specify the maximum mesh deviation (0,1 mm is default) which controls how "fine" your mesh will get
  • Close dialogue with OK
  • Select the solid to be exported in the tree view
  • Choose File Export... and set file type to for example "STL mesh (*.stl *.ast)"
  • Type in your file name and don't forget the extension, choose Save

Export Method 2: Using the mesh workbench in FreeCAD

  • Switch to mesh workbench
  • Select the solid to be meshed in the tree view
  • Choose Meshes Create Mesh from shape... from the top menu
  • Select one of the three available meshers and specify the available options, for more info refer to this page (Mesh from Shape)
  • Choose OK and the mesh object will be created in the tree view (with green mesh icon)
  • Select the mesh object in the tree view and right click on mesh object in the tree view
  • Choose Export mesh to export mesh
  • You will be prompted to choose file name (default is the name of the mesh object) and the file type (default is "Binary STL (*.stl)")
  • Choose Save and you are finished

==Which Method too choose ?

  • Method 2 is to be preferred. Especially when you have more than one Body to convert you can use Tools from Mesh Workbench , like fusioning Meshes before Exporting.


Links