STL Importer

[bergerud]

Some of these stl file model sizes are dimensionally way outside the limits of the machine and do need to be resized. Doing so will then decrease the file size and make it easier to import into designer.

I think Floyd has the answer. Stl files over around 100MB crash the importer. How big are your stl files?

[mtylerfl]

There are a couple things you can do to assure your "problem STL's" created elsewhere will open via the STL Importer...and it's totally free to do so!

First, download and install the free program MeshLab. http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

Then...

1) Start up MeshLab and create a "New Empty Project"

2a)... If you have a HUMONGOUS file, it is easy to reduce the file size without noticeable quality loss. The 385 MB file you described is ridiculously too large. (I would instruct your client to stop sending you files that large - it's not necessary!)

2b)...Import your STL file into your New Project in MeshLab and click "OK" in the Post-Open Processing window (see screenshot entitled "1-Post-Open Processing"

2c)...Select Filters/Remeshing,Simplification and Reconstruction/Quadric Edge Collapse Decimation (see screenshot entitled "2-Remesh_Quadric")

2d)...Take a look at the screenshot entitled "3-Remesh_Settings". Make SURE you check all the boxes exactly as shown in my screenshot. Now, type in a decimal fraction (percentage) of how much you want to diminish the mesh, without going too crazy, or you'll get visible facets on your model. You might try .25 for those HUGE files. NOTE: .25 is NOT the percentage reduction...by typing in .25, you are actually telling MeshLab to reduce by 75%. Not very intuitive, but that's the way it is. EXAMPLES: type .70 for a 30% reduction, type .50 for a 50% reduction, type .90 for a 10% reduction, etc. Also, MAKE SURE you have typed in a value of "1" for the Quality Threshold.

2e) Click the word "Apply", wait for it to finish, then click the word "Close" to get rid of the window.

3) Observe your model on-screen to confirm it is still good quality (it will be if you didn't "go crazy" with the remesh reduction)

4) Now, go to File/Export Mesh As. You will select your file type (STL in this case) and create a new name for your model (so you don't overwrite your original!). Click "Save" and you will see a new window pop-up. There is a setting here you MUST UNCHECK before saving to enable the CW STL Importer to open your new STL (see screenshot entitled "4-Saving_Options"). UNCHECK the box that says "Materialize Color Encoding". Click "OK" to save your new STL. It will now open for you in the CW STL Importer.

So, we have basically corrected the "troublesome" STL files by doing this. Even though many STL files will open in other programs (like MeshLab here) with the color or texture preserved, some programs won't open them or might even crash on you...the CW STL Importer wants "clean" STL's without color info and a file size smaller than 99MB. Reducing the mesh to a reasonable size and discarding the color/texture info should put you on track. I believe by following these steps when necessary, you will soon learn to enjoy the STL Importer for what it is primarily designed for...converting STL's to PTN files for use with your CW machine.

I hope this has been helpful. Try it and let us know if it worked for you. If not, post one of your "troublesome" STL's on DropBox and I'll try to fix it for you.

Additional Info: If you have a file that is already a reasonable size you are comfortable with, then you don't need to do the "remesh/reduction". However you WILL need to go ahead and export the model and remove the "Materialize Color Encoding" in the save options as described above.

Alan mentioned importing and resaving from Blender (another free program) works well for him. I suspect it is stripping out the material/color info by default. I'm not sure how good a job Blender does for reducing the mesh without a noticeable quality hit - maybe it's fine - but I know for sure that MeshLab does a great job with that.

[wmocahbee]

Smallest one I have is 382MB

[mtylerfl]

That's fine. I believe if you follow the steps above, you can "fix" it. ...or, I'll do one for you if you post it to DropBox and send me the link (you can PM the link to me if you don't want to make it public).

[wmocahbee]

Well thats the point of paying for a piece of software, I shouldn't have to FIX it. But I had to degrade the STL to a smaller size and it works. I have used these STL files on a different CNC software, never has a problem with size and works great. But I guess I have to settle for a work around. A few extra clicks don't kill anyone.

[cestout]

Thank you MT. I copied all the to a Word doc for future reference.
Clint

[glassbullies]

Hello everyone. I realize this is an old thread but thought I'd throw my belated 2 cents in anyway. I get the "invalid or corrupt" message frequently. For me the fix was to import into MeshLab as bergerud stated but the extra step I take that has worked 100% of the time is to uncheck the color option before selecting "OK". See attached pic.

[mtylerfl]

Yes. I already specified that in my instructions above. But thanks for re-stating that anyway.