Using STL as CAD model

[[No...]]

Has anyone ever managed to use a polygonized STL file as part of the CAD model in Calypso? (note: I do NOT mean to use it for measurement - I know how to do that --> STL machine). I also know that a STL contains no gemetry information and is just polygons. That's fine for me, as I only need it for collision checking in Planner.

So I can load a STL as the model (*.* file type in loading window), but it doesn't stick and doesn't show up in the hierarchy, otherwise I'd be able to mark it as the workpiece.

Maybe it's possible to use some CAD software and convert STL to another standard format that Calypso can read without an extra license?

[[Ow...]]

I thought I read somewhere in the 2020 release about Calypso being able to work with STL files but, I could be wrong.
It's been a couple years but, I know solidworks has a hell of a time loading STL's and last time I tried a small one it crashed every time.
I'm told the Geomagic design X software is best for converting them into smaller/workable file sizes but, I've never downloaded their free trial and tried it.

[[Ch...]]

I used to use FreeCAD at home and I think it can do this. But I've never tried it and I'd imagine the final model might be kinda crappy.

[[Ri...]]

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Trying to make a workable model out of an STL is extremely difficult, and time-consuming.

A model is perfect, and STLs are usually created from the actual part, which isn't perfect. There is then a lot of guessing and assuming.

The only two software that I know that do this somewhat well is Geomagic which is roughly 30k, and the Zess RE software (I don't know the price of this as it is new to the US).

You can create a solid out of an STL is things like MeshMixer, and FreeCAD, but most of the time it is just creating patches (not surfaces that are geometry associated).

[[Ow...]]

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I haven't had much of a chance to work with them but, when I did, no doubt, it's difficult and time consuming and that's with a really good scanner.
You got to be really good with surface and splines and I'm just not that fluent with them in Solidworks but, I've never had any training using them either.
I've read a lot of propaganda about people using meshes/stl files in machining CNC cad software to create machining programs but, I've never talked to anybody who has done it.

[[No...]]

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You mean some kind of reverse engineering? That's not what I want to do (way too much effort). I don't need any CAD surfaces and patches for my purpose. Well, I don't know if collision detection in simulation would even work correctly without a proper patch structure, but at least in my imagination it should, as it only has to intersect polygons.

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😱 No, no, that would overdo it by far 🤣

All I want to try is to either get a STL into Calypso "as is" or to resave (not post-process) it in a different format Calypso would hopefully accept as a model.If any more effort is needed, I'll look for another way. It' just that a colleague has designed parts of a fixture for 3D printing, which I need for simulation in planner, but currently I only have access to the STL he generated for the printer. I was hoping that I could just load this somehow. If not, will try to get the original model from him.

[[Ow...]]

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[[No...]]

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He certainly did. He just isn't as meticulous as me 🤠 , meaning he didn't save his original work to the public network drive.