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Thread: Stl to dxf

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Roseburg, Oregon, United States
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    Default Stl to dxf

    Is there a way to convert a stl file to a dxf file?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Northern Colorado
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    7,962

    Default

    They are 2 different file formats. An STL is a 3d model and a DXF is line/vector art. The closest you can get would be an outline of the STL
    RingNeckBlues
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Texas
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    2,877

    Default

    Dodadd1, do you have the stl importer add-on? Very nice 3d model. Definitely not a dxf candidate.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Texas
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    I was curious on how this can be done. Somehow you have to convert a 3d mesh object into a 2d vector object.

    I don't have the dxf importer so could only see the results in the demo.

    But here is the process I used. I am sure there are many other methods to get to the same end. The easiest is probably just to trace it out. It is not a complex picture.

    But here is what I did:

    Rendered a 2d image from stl
    Changed exposure and gamma plus increased contrast
    Changed to black and white
    Converted to vector line drawing
    Saved as vector line drawing
    Converted to DXF
    Resulting dxf file needs a bunch of work to clean up. A lot of extra artifacts.

    The dxf file is too large to share on the forum. I am including the b/w line drawing. If anyone wants the dxf file PM your email address. It is NOT carve ready. It will take a bit of work to clean it up.

    Oscar
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails catfish render linedrawing.jpg  

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Nuevo, CA
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    1,854

    Default

    I don't see what could be gained by converting it to DXF. It makes a good quality .ptn and that is what it's creator had in mind.
    Clint
    CarveWright StartU team member
    Web Site WWW.clintscustomcarving.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Texas
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    2,877

    Default

    Clint, though this was an academic exercise, I can see when this may be useful if you are trying to match an existing style in furniture (v-carve) and you needed a specific pattern.

    But way easier to just trace the pattern if you have the right software/add-ons.

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