Editing of STL models

[Marshall]

I think I mostly understand this, but I'm just trying to get some confirmation.

Are STL files from Thingiverse all "locked" towards any possible modification?

I realize we can perform certain functions; scale X, Y, or Z in any amount. However, if I try to open the STL file in Autodesk Inventor to attempt to change a hole size, it shows the model opaque, but no "real" surfaces I can select, and a mesh only (not an actual object to the software). Can anyone break down if this is something specific to a program, to some web sites, or if really there is no barrier there at all and I'm going about the process wrong?

I'm literally trying to change the hole size of the 4 holes on a simple fan adapter from Thingiverse. I use S3D of course for my slicing, for a Makergear M2.

Thanks

[BaudR8]

STL's obtained from any source are usually considered to be not editable. They're a file containing all the triangles that makeup the end model, and contain no information of the steps taken to produce the model itself or any of the "features" of the model. There are some programs, such as OpenSCAD, that will allow you to do some basic modifications to an STL such as cutting holes, resizing, etc to an STL model

[Marshall]

Hmm, that's kind of bummer. So many things there, if I could only warp just a few! I will check out OpenSCAD I'm surprised I haven't yet as much of the word as I have heard so often.

Is there another source for STLs besides Thingiverse, that would include the...IPT, or the part file source, so things like this could be modified? (I assume the file would change to a different format, like no longer a STL, when it's a real model.) I just started using Inventor for my new shop CNC and now 3D printing, so I'm still running through the software learning curve, big time.

This is a bit of a topic side-track question, but what program would be most easily used for the more intricate modeling of "organic" looking things, such as vases, flowers, etc? (SolidWorks, Autocad...)

It seems anything can be made in Inventor, with time, but it is more of a rendering+proto analysis package--not as much as I expected, a lot more. Thought maybe I could try another to get where I'm going faster since I'm targeting the model creation only.

[jimc]

autocad and solidworks are mechanical engineering type cad software. not good for organic surfaces at all. you want an industrial design software like rhino which is what i use. its super powerful and does have some stl/mesh functions where you can edit meshes. it great for organic surfacing and perfect for designing things for 3d printing. its very big in toy and jewelry design and any consumer type products. there are tons of online videos, and resources for it.

[MichaelHerron]

One thing that you might try for editing STL files:
HP developed a very interesting CAD system for its internal use. They eventually spun it off and offered it up for free.
That technology was purchased by PTC and rolled into their CREO product line.
CREO/Elements Direct Express is a free download. I'm not sure if it can import or export STL files, but the modelling method it uses is "history-free" which means you can manipulate features directly--without a feature hierarchy.
As a product design engineer, my brain doesn't work well without this hierarchy, so i haven't tried it. It is free, though, so there is little harm in trying.

Here's a link:
http://www.ptc.com/product/creo/element ... ng/express

If it works, let us know!

[Rebekah_harper]

Hiya,

Editing STL files is difficult but there are place where you can get part files. Problem is that most cost. Some just a couple of $ but that can increase the more complex the part is.
Search for .STL file download or .ipt

I use auto desk inventor for the more mechanical stuff and autodesk maya for the more organic and visual effect stuff.

[scobo]

Meshmixer can do some basic editing of STL's, plus it's free.

[tonyno]

DesignSpark Mechanical is free, and can import/export STL. v2 allows you to convert the STL to a solid, which makes editing much easier.

[dkightley]

I felt like spending some time doing something unproductive......so I decided to edit the printer bed .stl for my printer (Makerbot Replicator 2) as it didn't have the printer name and logo included on the mouldings:

I simply imported it into my 3D package (3DCrafter), added shapes for the text and logo, and exported back out as an .stl. I did have to scale it by a factor of 10 and tweak the origin using Netfabb. I also merged the added meshes using the cloud version of Netfabb just in case there was any issues using an .stl file with more than one mesh.

[AK_Eric]

Just for clarity: stl's from any source are fully editable. In the same way if you download an mp3 and bring it into an audio package. A quick (and by no means exhaustive) list would include:

Cost $:
* Autodesk Maya
* Autodesk Max
* ZBrush
* Mudbox

Free:
* Autodesk 123D Design
* Tinkercad
* Sculptris
* Clara.io
* Meshmixer
* Blender

Like mentioned earlier, these are less on the cad-side, and more the visual-fx/freeform side of things. Inventor/Fusion 360/OnShape/SolidWorks/etc are great for more mechanical shapes that are stored as solid volumes. stl's are often the exported polygonal representations of such things.

Not all of these can import stl's natively (like Maya), but a simple conversion (via something like Meshlab) can export to say, obj, which most of them eat.