Empathy List Archives

J

jon

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 9:20 PM

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were
told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP,
but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to
say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone to
re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a problem
that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the future?

Jon

We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based
or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from a
native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the
information that we require. We can work with the following file
formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from
other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t or
.x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only).

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP, but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the future? Jon We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we require. We can work with the following file formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only).

F

fred_dot_u

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 9:49 PM

As I have SolidWorks, I searched and found a set of simple instructions to
accomplish your task. SW will import an STL file which is converted to solid
body during the import process. From there, it's a simple matter to either
save it as the .SLDPRT format or any other supported type.

I also found during this search a set of similar steps to be performed using
FreeCAD, which one might consider if the output format of that program meets
your requirements.

If you seen Blender or Meshmixer displays of a part, you'd easily recognize
the SW conversion, although I suspect the triangles of SW, Blender and
Meshmixer are mostly ignored by the vendor for your application.

https://www.google.com/#q=convert+stl+to+solidworks

--
View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17990.html
Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

As I have SolidWorks, I searched and found a set of simple instructions to accomplish your task. SW will import an STL file which is converted to solid body during the import process. From there, it's a simple matter to either save it as the .SLDPRT format or any other supported type. I also found during this search a set of similar steps to be performed using FreeCAD, which one might consider if the output format of that program meets your requirements. If you seen Blender or Meshmixer displays of a part, you'd easily recognize the SW conversion, although I suspect the triangles of SW, Blender and Meshmixer are mostly ignored by the vendor for your application. https://www.google.com/#q=convert+stl+to+solidworks -- View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17990.html Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

YA

Yona Appletree

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:14 PM

My best luck with getting STEP files from OpenSCAD is to first import
the SCAD file into FreeCAD and then export to STEP. Note that FreeCAD
does not support some features of OpenSCAD, and that it often takes a
fair bit of work to get things working right with FreeCAD.

From my experience:

You absolutely cannot use these modules: offset, minkowski, hull or
projection find another way to model things if you do.
Try to do as much as possible in 2d and then extrude into 3d. This
is better for native OpenSCAD work as well, as it's faster and
doesn't have issues with tolerances. For example, instead of
difference() { cube([10,10,10]); translate([2,2,-.5])
cube([6,6,11]); } do linear_extrude(10) difference() {
square([10,10]); translate([2,2]) square([6,6]); }
Start slowly with your exporting and importing into FreeCAD. Do it
one part or module at a time, starting with something simple that
works. If you have many parts, export them one at a time, starting
with the simple ones.
FreeCAD can take a very long time to import an OpenSCAD model. Don't
assume that it has crashed just because it takes 10 minutes with no
progress indicator.

Best of luck.

~ Yona

jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 14:20

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were
told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP,
but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to
say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone
to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a
problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the
future?

Jon

We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based
or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from
a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the
information that we require. We can work with the following file
formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from
other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t
or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only).

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

My best luck with getting STEP files from OpenSCAD is to first import the SCAD file into FreeCAD and then export to STEP. Note that FreeCAD does not support some features of OpenSCAD, and that it often takes a fair bit of work to get things working right with FreeCAD. From my experience: 1. You absolutely cannot use these modules: offset, minkowski, hull or projection find another way to model things if you do. 2. Try to do as much as possible in 2d and then extrude into 3d. This is better for native OpenSCAD work as well, as it's faster and doesn't have issues with tolerances. For example, instead of difference() { cube([10,10,10]); translate([2,2,-.5]) cube([6,6,11]); } do linear_extrude(10) difference() { square([10,10]); translate([2,2]) square([6,6]); } 3. Start slowly with your exporting and importing into FreeCAD. Do it one part or module at a time, starting with something simple that works. If you have many parts, export them one at a time, starting with the simple ones. 4. FreeCAD can take a very long time to import an OpenSCAD model. Don't assume that it has crashed just because it takes 10 minutes with no progress indicator. Best of luck. ~ Yona > jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> > July 26, 2016 at 14:20 > > We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were > told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP, > but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to > say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone > to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a > problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the > future? > > Jon > > > We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based > or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from > a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the > information that we require. We can work with the following file > formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from > other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t > or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only). > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

J

jon

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:23 PM

Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that the
vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, in
part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. Saving a
part in STL format deletes some of the information that we require."

My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip
on this step.

Jon

On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote:

As I have SolidWorks, I searched and found a set of simple instructions to
accomplish your task. SW will import an STL file which is converted to solid
body during the import process. From there, it's a simple matter to either
save it as the .SLDPRT format or any other supported type.

I also found during this search a set of similar steps to be performed using
FreeCAD, which one might consider if the output format of that program meets
your requirements.

If you seen Blender or Meshmixer displays of a part, you'd easily recognize
the SW conversion, although I suspect the triangles of SW, Blender and
Meshmixer are mostly ignored by the vendor for your application.

https://www.google.com/#q=convert+stl+to+solidworks

--
View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17990.html
Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2016.0.7690 / Virus Database: 4627/12688 - Release Date: 07/26/16

Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that the vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, in part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we require." My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip on this step. Jon On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote: > As I have SolidWorks, I searched and found a set of simple instructions to > accomplish your task. SW will import an STL file which is converted to solid > body during the import process. From there, it's a simple matter to either > save it as the .SLDPRT format or any other supported type. > > I also found during this search a set of similar steps to be performed using > FreeCAD, which one might consider if the output format of that program meets > your requirements. > > If you seen Blender or Meshmixer displays of a part, you'd easily recognize > the SW conversion, although I suspect the triangles of SW, Blender and > Meshmixer are mostly ignored by the vendor for your application. > > https://www.google.com/#q=convert+stl+to+solidworks > > > > -- > View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17990.html > Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2016.0.7690 / Virus Database: 4627/12688 - Release Date: 07/26/16 > >

F

fred_dot_u

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:24 PM

Intrigued about the reference to not using hull(), I imported my recent 3d
print file into SW. I've found hull() to be invaluable for conversions of
shapes along a linear reference. I needed a vacuum manifold to lie flat on a
surface and the model I created fit the bill perfectly. I would not be able
to have this injection molded, as per the OP, but it looks even cooler in SW
than it did in OpenSCAD:

http://forum.openscad.org/file/n17993/vacuum_manifold.jpg

--
View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17993.html
Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

Intrigued about the reference to not using hull(), I imported my recent 3d print file into SW. I've found hull() to be invaluable for conversions of shapes along a linear reference. I needed a vacuum manifold to lie flat on a surface and the model I created fit the bill perfectly. I would not be able to have this injection molded, as per the OP, but it looks even cooler in SW than it did in OpenSCAD: <http://forum.openscad.org/file/n17993/vacuum_manifold.jpg> -- View this message in context: http://forum.openscad.org/need-a-non-STL-file-format-tp17989p17993.html Sent from the OpenSCAD mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

J

jon

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:36 PM

I had no idea that FreeCAD could import OpenSCAD. Of course, as it
turns out, it cannot. You need to download some DXF libraries. And the
procedure to do that is ASTONISHINGLY long and complex. I gave up.
Maybe some other day.

Thanks for explaining that this alternative exists: I did not know about it!

Jon

On 7/26/2016 6:14 PM, Yona Appletree wrote:

My best luck with getting STEP files from OpenSCAD is to first import
the SCAD file into FreeCAD and then export to STEP. Note that FreeCAD
does not support some features of OpenSCAD, and that it often takes a
fair bit of work to get things working right with FreeCAD.

From my experience:

You absolutely cannot use these modules: offset, minkowski, hull
or projection find another way to model things if you do.
Try to do as much as possible in 2d and then extrude into 3d. This
is better for native OpenSCAD work as well, as it's faster and
doesn't have issues with tolerances. For example, instead of
difference() { cube([10,10,10]); translate([2,2,-.5])
cube([6,6,11]); } do linear_extrude(10) difference() {
square([10,10]); translate([2,2]) square([6,6]); }
Start slowly with your exporting and importing into FreeCAD. Do it
one part or module at a time, starting with something simple that
works. If you have many parts, export them one at a time, starting
with the simple ones.
FreeCAD can take a very long time to import an OpenSCAD model.
Don't assume that it has crashed just because it takes 10 minutes
with no progress indicator.

Best of luck.

~ Yona

jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 14:20

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We
were told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a
STEP, but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they
have to say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying
someone to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is
this a problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to
face in the future?

Jon

We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an
STL-based or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated
directly from a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format
deletes some of the information that we require. We can work with the
following file formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt)
files; files from other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP
(.stp), Parasolid (.x_t or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and
.dwg, 3D only).

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com http://www.avg.com
Version: 2016.0.7690 / Virus Database: 4627/12688 - Release Date: 07/26/16

I had no idea that FreeCAD could import OpenSCAD. Of course, as it turns out, it cannot. You need to download some DXF libraries. And the procedure to do that is ASTONISHINGLY long and complex. I gave up. Maybe some other day. Thanks for explaining that this alternative exists: I did not know about it! Jon On 7/26/2016 6:14 PM, Yona Appletree wrote: > My best luck with getting STEP files from OpenSCAD is to first import > the SCAD file into FreeCAD and then export to STEP. Note that FreeCAD > does not support some features of OpenSCAD, and that it often takes a > fair bit of work to get things working right with FreeCAD. > > >From my experience: > > 1. You absolutely cannot use these modules: offset, minkowski, hull > or projection find another way to model things if you do. > 2. Try to do as much as possible in 2d and then extrude into 3d. This > is better for native OpenSCAD work as well, as it's faster and > doesn't have issues with tolerances. For example, instead of > difference() { cube([10,10,10]); translate([2,2,-.5]) > cube([6,6,11]); } do linear_extrude(10) difference() { > square([10,10]); translate([2,2]) square([6,6]); } > 3. Start slowly with your exporting and importing into FreeCAD. Do it > one part or module at a time, starting with something simple that > works. If you have many parts, export them one at a time, starting > with the simple ones. > 4. FreeCAD can take a very long time to import an OpenSCAD model. > Don't assume that it has crashed just because it takes 10 minutes > with no progress indicator. > > > Best of luck. > > ~ Yona > >> jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> >> July 26, 2016 at 14:20 >> >> We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We >> were told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a >> STEP, but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they >> have to say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying >> someone to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is >> this a problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to >> face in the future? >> >> Jon >> >> >> We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an >> STL-based or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated >> directly from a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format >> deletes some of the information that we require. We can work with the >> following file formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) >> files; files from other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP >> (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and >> .dwg, 3D only). >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com> > Version: 2016.0.7690 / Virus Database: 4627/12688 - Release Date: 07/26/16 >

YA

Yona Appletree

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:38 PM

Sorry, I left out something important. When you export into FreeCAD, you
export from OpenSCAD as CSG, not STL. There is a huge difference between
these, and using CSG will result in native CAD primitives that can be used.

jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 15:23

Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that
the vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads,
in part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format.
Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we
require."

My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip
on this step.

Jon

On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote:

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org
jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 14:20

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were
told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP,
but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to
say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone
to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a
problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the
future?

Jon

We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based
or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from
a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the
information that we require. We can work with the following file
formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from
other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t
or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only).

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

Sorry, I left out something important. When you export into FreeCAD, you export from OpenSCAD as CSG, not STL. There is a huge difference between these, and using CSG will result in native CAD primitives that can be used. > jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> > July 26, 2016 at 15:23 > > Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that > the vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, > in part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. > Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we > require." > > My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip > on this step. > > Jon > > > On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote: > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> > July 26, 2016 at 14:20 > > We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were > told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP, > but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to > say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone > to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a > problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the > future? > > Jon > > > We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based > or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from > a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the > information that we require. We can work with the following file > formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from > other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t > or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only). > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

YA

Yona Appletree

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:39 PM

P.S. Here is a tutorial on this from the FreeCAD folks:
http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Import_OpenSCAD_code

jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 15:23

Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that
the vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads,
in part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format.
Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we
require."

My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip
on this step.

Jon

On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote:

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org
jon mailto:jon@jonbondy.com
July 26, 2016 at 14:20

We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were
told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP,
but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to
say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone
to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a
problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the
future?

Jon

We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based
or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from
a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the
information that we require. We can work with the following file
formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from
other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t
or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only).

OpenSCAD mailing list
Discuss@lists.openscad.org
http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

P.S. Here is a tutorial on this from the FreeCAD folks: http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Import_OpenSCAD_code > jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> > July 26, 2016 at 15:23 > > Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that > the vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, > in part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. > Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the information that we > require." > > My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip > on this step. > > Jon > > > On 7/26/2016 5:49 PM, fred_dot_u wrote: > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > jon <mailto:jon@jonbondy.com> > July 26, 2016 at 14:20 > > We are trying to get a quote for injection molding of a part. We were > told that they needed STEP files, so I converted the STL into a STEP, > but now they say that this is inadequate. Here is what they have to > say. Any thoughts about how to satisfy them (short of paying someone > to re-design the part from scratch in a CAD program)? Is this a > problem that other OpenSCAD users have faced, or expect to face in the > future? > > Jon > > > We received your request for quote, but we cannot process an STL-based > or mesh file. We require surface model files, generated directly from > a native CAD format. Saving a part in STL format deletes some of the > information that we require. We can work with the following file > formats: native SolidWorks (.sldprt) and ProE (.prt) files; files from > other CAD systems output in IGES (.igs), STEP (.stp), Parasolid (.x_t > or .x_b), ACIS (.sat); and AutoCAD (.ipt and .dwg, 3D only). > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

AC

Alan Cox

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:44 PM

On Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:23:01 -0400
jon jon@jonbondy.com wrote:

Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that the
vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, in
part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. Saving a
part in STL format deletes some of the information that we require."

My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip
on this step.

Another point.

If there is an easy way to do it, then a competent tooling producer will
know how to do it and accept STL as input 8)

Alan

On Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:23:01 -0400 jon <jon@jonbondy.com> wrote: > Thanks. I used the FreeCAD procedure to produce the STEP file that the > vendor says they cannot use. If you read what they say, it reads, in > part, "[must be] generated directly from a native CAD format. Saving a > part in STL format deletes some of the information that we require." > > My point is that I may not be the only person who will eventually trip > on this step. Another point. If there is an easy way to do it, then a competent tooling producer will know how to do it and accept STL as input 8) Alan

J

jon

Tue, Jul 26, 2016 10:54 PM

Yona:

You have been very helpful, but FreeCAD keeps telling me that the DXF
libraries need to be installed (even when opening a CSG file), and that
appears to be a Herculean task. I do not understand why the automatic
install fails, but it does.

Jon

On 7/26/2016 6:38 PM, Yona Appletree wrote:

Sorry, I left out something important. When you export into FreeCAD,
you export from OpenSCAD as CSG, not STL. There is a huge difference
between these, and using CSG will result in native CAD primitives that
can be used.

Yona: You have been very helpful, but FreeCAD keeps telling me that the DXF libraries need to be installed (even when opening a CSG file), and that appears to be a Herculean task. I do not understand why the automatic install fails, but it does. Jon On 7/26/2016 6:38 PM, Yona Appletree wrote: > Sorry, I left out something important. When you export into FreeCAD, > you export from OpenSCAD as CSG, not STL. There is a huge difference > between these, and using CSG will result in native CAD primitives that > can be used.

discuss@lists.openscad.org

need a non-STL file format