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Simple way to convert STL to solid
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macnavi  
#1 Posted : Friday, July 22, 2016 5:53:01 PM(UTC)
macnavi

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I don't have Powerpack, but ViaCad 2D/3D v8 (v9 as well, but the latest release is unworkable) and I stupidly used STL's in my design. It was the only way to get a bit of speed with ViaCad, as with the solids it took about 5-10 minutes when you moved them.

Anyway, I read a few months ago, the standard version of our software has a function to convert simple STL objects to solids. It was not a dedicated function like Powerpack had, but something already built in that does the trick as well. But I can't remember it. Who does?
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L. Banasky  
#2 Posted : Saturday, July 23, 2016 3:34:30 AM(UTC)
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Import the STL file.
Select All.
Edit- Change Object Type-Choose Solid
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macnavi on 7/23/2016(UTC)
macnavi  
#3 Posted : Saturday, July 23, 2016 4:02:43 AM(UTC)
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Oh, I thought and remembered wrong that that didn't work. But I just tried it and it does work indeed. Very slow, but it works... Thanks for the reminder!
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macnavi  
#4 Posted : Monday, December 5, 2016 5:37:10 PM(UTC)
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When I have converted the Mesh to a solid, I would like to smoothen it and remove the triangles. I remember seeing this in a video of Tim, but don't know the video anymore and can't remember how this goes. Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?
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murray  
#5 Posted : Tuesday, December 6, 2016 1:26:32 AM(UTC)
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It takes Power Pack Pro convert-to-nurbs, but even that doesn't like triangles much. Preprocessing to quads within PPP isn't always satisfying either. Retopology is something that needs attention.
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Tim Olson  
#6 Posted : Tuesday, December 6, 2016 11:09:11 AM(UTC)
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>>Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?


ViaCAD/Shark will stitch facets with no errors up to around 4000. Each facet will create one face in the resultant solid.

PowerPack Pro will:

  • Stitch larger number of facets
    --Licenses additional technology that supports stitching large number of facets

  • Subdivision to NURB
    —Converts mostly quads NURBs
    —Produces optimized NURBS (ex 2M quads converted into 832 nurb faces)
    —G2 (smooth) between patches
    —Unlike T-Splines, supported on MAC
    —Video Link

  • General Mesh to Analytic Solid
    —Segments a mesh into analytic shapes and restitches into solid
    —Helps preserve holes, circles, arcs, and splines
    --Video Link


    Tim

    Edited by user Tuesday, December 6, 2016 5:17:52 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

    • Tim Olson
    IMSI Design/Encore
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    ipc1-de  
    #7 Posted : Sunday, January 29, 2017 2:48:55 AM(UTC)
    ipc1-de

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    Germany
    Originally Posted by: Tim Olson Go to Quoted Post
    >>Is this possible with ViaCad 2D/3D or Pro and power pack?


    ViaCAD/Shark will stitch facets with no errors up to around 4000. Each facet will create one face in the resultant solid.

    PowerPack Pro will:

  • General Mesh to Analytic Solid
    —Segments a mesh into analytic shapes and restitches into solid
    —Helps preserve holes, circles, arcs, and splines
    --Video Link

    Tim


    • Hi Tim,

    in my ViaCAD 10 PRO (Build 1308) with PowerPack I miss some functions: (Mesh to Analytic)

    viacad10propower.png


    Markus
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    ViaCAD 10 PRO + PowerPack / MAC OSX 10.12 Sierra
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    L. Banasky  
    #8 Posted : Sunday, January 29, 2017 10:30:54 AM(UTC)
    L. Banasky

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    There has been confusion between PowerPack and PowerPack Pro.
    I think what you have is ViaCad 10 Pro with PowerPack.
    The additional Mesh tools are only included with PowerPack Pro.
    Larry
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    Tim Olson  
    #9 Posted : Monday, January 30, 2017 1:42:24 PM(UTC)
    Tim Olson

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    >>The additional Mesh tools are only included with PowerPack Pro.

    The mesh to solid tools license a 3rd party library which is available in PowerPack Pro.

    Tim


    Tim Olson
    IMSI Design/Encore
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