STL modification

Hi-

Is it possible to modify an stl file? If it is does anyone know of good free/open source software to do this?
I ask this because there are a lot of things i would like to print but don't work, but they would with a little modification.

-Nick

Not easily. What I have done though it's a pain is open the file in my CAD program and draw over it then delete the .stl drawing from underneath it. Does work though as I said can be a pain. It's better if you can get the source file. Try emailing the person who posted the thing you wish to print

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Experimenting in 3D in New Zealand

it is with limits using openscad.
you can use difference(){} to subtract from an stl,

and also create shapes to go with stl.

you can even import several stl files.
translate([0,0,0]) //coordinate for stl to show
import_stl("your_file", convexity = 5); //this is how to import it, either same directory as openscad in example here.


you can combine stl and repair stl in heeks cad, just load stl in heeks cad, import other stl and when finished save it.

programs are free and can be found here:

[www.openscad.org]
[code.google.com]

My choice of tool to modify STL meshes, is the excellent free mesh editor Wings 3D. If the triangle mesh is very dense or have a lot of errors in it, you might have to run it through netfabb basic and fix it first.

But yes, having the source file is best, and even a format that allows multiple edged faces is better than STL.

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-Nudel
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