STL to SOLID -> Scale and Subtract

BLCKPSTV · Post by **BLCKPSTV** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:50 pm

I've been trying to accomplish this for month and almost tried every program there is in 3D world, I kid you not!

So I want to create a solid from an stl => Succes after weeks I found that FreeCAD Is the program whereas I succeeded to convert STL to a SOLID.

Now, want baffles me is that I can't scale that solid or copy paste in place it. I want to hollow out my shape but have an overall 2-3 mm shell.
So I can 3D print it and put things in it!

Also later I want to add a screw hole and removable lid. (but first things first)

How do I achieve this in FreeCAD. I've read the scaling with draft clone but that didn't work for me or I just don't get it probably.

Files are in the attachments

OS: Windows 8.1 => BOOTCAMP ON A MAC
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 32-bit
Version: 0.16.6700 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: releases/FreeCAD-0-16
Hash: 7b925d11aa69ac405b423635adb1e2833f18a817
Python version: 2.7.8
Qt version: 4.8.6
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17

I hope I get an answer on this forum, because solidworks and vectorworks are pretty much dead.

bejant · Post by **bejant** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:47 pm

Hi BLCKPSTV, and welcome!

BLCKPSTV wrote:How do I achieve this in FreeCAD.

See below:

BLCKPSTV wrote:So I want to create a solid from an stl => Succes after weeks I found that FreeCAD Is the program whereas I succeeded to convert STL to a SOLID.

I imported your absolute original dodecahedron .stl into FreeCAD, then used Part WB > Part pull-down menu > Create shape from mesh, and that worked OK.

BLCKPSTV wrote:Now, want baffles me is that I can't scale that solid

Select the solid in the hierarchy tree, then use Draft WB > Clone. Select the Clone in the hierarchy tree, and change the Scale properties in the Data tab.

BLCKPSTV wrote:or copy paste in place it.

Hmm... Ctrl + C and then Ctrl + V works for me.

BLCKPSTV wrote:I want to hollow out my shape but have an overall 2-3 mm shell.

To hollow out your model, select the face where the lid will be and use the Part WB > Thickness tool. The selected face will be removed. I see why you want to Scale the solid - as imported the .stl is only 3.28 mm tall...

: 20160422a.png (14.5 KiB) Viewed 5026 times

20160422a.fcstd: (45.34 KiB) Downloaded 40 times

OS: Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS
Word size of OS: 32-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 32-bit
Version: 0.16.6698 (Git)
Build type: None
Branch: master
Hash: ca7c5d31a4d61f32a25b71025b14641a6e378328
Python version: 2.7.6
Qt version: 4.8.6
Coin version: 4.0.0a
OCC version: 6.8.0.oce-0.17

blue = edit

NormandC · Post by **NormandC** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:58 pm

BLCKPSTV wrote:OS: Windows 8.1 => BOOTCAMP ON A MAC
Word size of OS: 64-bit
Word size of FreeCAD: 32-bit
Version: 0.16.6700 (Git)

Why the heck would you run the Windows version of FreeCAD in Bootcamp when there's already a Mac build?

BLCKPSTV · Post by **BLCKPSTV** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 5:41 pm

I've been trying to grasp this and try and try without sounding like somebody who didn't do his homework and still complains.

But I don't get the hollowing part explanation.

So I want the solid empty on the inside (I want it solid but still empty

) But no serious I want the solid piece to be empty on the inside and the solid should be 3mm thick. I need to put extra holes in it afterwards.

To hollow out your model, select the face where the lid will be and use the Part WB > Thickness tool. The selected face will be removed. I see why you want to Scale the solid - as imported the .stl is only 3.28 mm tall...

I didn't get this, because I don't want a lid.
But still I did this and I said select one or more faces of a shape whilst I selected them all and specific ones.

I don't know how to ask it otherwise, I clearly lack the correct terminology in Freecad

cox · Post by **cox** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:06 pm

Part:Create shape from mesh
Part:Make solid
Centred the solid on origin with Workfeature plugin centre of mass point an use Draft move to centre by this reference.
Scaled a copy with reference origin by 0.9
part cup small from big.
Cut with a cube so you can look inside

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BLCKPSTV · Post by **BLCKPSTV** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:26 pm

Part:Create shape from mesh
Part:Make solid
Centred the solid on origin with Workfeature plugin centre of mass point an use Draft move to centre by this reference.
Scaled a copy with reference origin by 0.9
part cup small from big.
Cut with a cube so you can look inside

Omg that's it!!
I'm going to try to remake it like you did and see what I did different!!

(UPDATE)

I've got the Workfeature installed.
ßut now I don't get how that works...

I first went a step back and tried to scale the part to the size I want (being 120mm Z axis and the other axis relative to the Z axis) but that doesn't work.
I did select solid > draft > scale > Task View I see Global X, Global Y and Global Z (what do I do here?) and Enter Point? + continue and copy > Close

Pff it so hard learning a new drawing software -.-

cox · Post by **cox** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:31 pm

Add a body and a plane in 0.17 development version and you can realy go to town

Do not know exactly you mean by a lid?

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BLCKPSTV · Post by **BLCKPSTV** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:37 pm

Dude how do you do that so easily! :'(

You're doing quasi exactly what I want, but I'm not able to achieve this!!
I've updated my former reply, with what I did!

Love it that I found somebody that understood my gibberish of what I wanted to create!
I'm not giving up now with Freecad!!

cox · Post by **cox** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:07 pm

On workfeature there is a point tab with Object center.

select the part and click the object center. If you hide the part after you can see the point.

Using the Draft workbench:Move command. to do this do the following.

Make sure you are on XZ work plane

Select the part

Hide the part

click the move tool

select the center point

Make shure grid snap is on, and select orign.

Make part visible again.

Part has now been centered on orign in xy axis

Do the same for XZ axis

Now its centered completely.

Use the Scale tool with reference on origin using snap grid.

If you get here I will continue. Have to go now Good luck

BLCKPSTV · Post by **BLCKPSTV** » Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:07 am

cox wrote:On workfeature there is a point tab with Object center.

select the part and click the object center. If you hide the part after you can see the point.

Using the Draft workbench:Move command. to do this do the following.

Make sure you are on XZ work plane
=> You mean XY ?? see origin lower.

Select the part

Hide the part

click the move tool

select the center point

Make shure grid snap is on, and select orign.
=> Mine version on mac crashed a few time on this. And I'm guessing the origin is the black line?

Make part visible again.

Part has now been centered on orign in xy axis

Do the same for XZ axis

Now its centered completely.

Use the Scale tool with reference on origin using snap grid.
=> I think I got it to work but something is still wrong, I think it's the centering part I did something wrong at.
And do I have to do it for the 3 axis or only 2?

=> So I'm not there yet, but bare with me later on tonight I trying it again!!

If you get here I will continue. Have to go now Good luck

I uploaded the file so you see what's wrong?! I'm also still taking a hang on the navigation styles. Now using the CAD way.

STL to SOLID -> Scale and Subtract

STL to SOLID -> Scale and Subtract

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Re: STL to SOLID -> Scale and Subtract

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Re: STL to SOLID -> Scale and Subtract