How did I get a mesh from Stl file?

tom_lahey

I imported an extrusion that was a separate onshape part into a  new Onshape part and it is now a mesh.
How do I convert the mesh to a solid so I can perform a boolean on it to make one part?
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/f3ec1ad12f1e66c16d5657af/w/81b1ee2bdf2b6cb7e54937aa/e/653af4d096362b20daa6d140

NeilCooke

You can’t convert meshes to solids. Meshes are for reference only. Why are you following that workflow? Have you tried the Derived feature?

tim_hess427

@tom_lahey - I agree that using the Derived feature is likely what you need. 

However, if you really do need to export, then import a part, you'll be better served by exporting to a different format. An STL file is essentially a mesh body. Other file types like .step or parasolid files retain the exact geometry (but not the feature tree or history of the part).

tom_lahey

I started over, took the original bmp file,  made it a part, then used derive to bring it into my new document and it worked well.
I dont understand why, when I used derive the first time, it wound up as a mesh....but oh well
Thanks for the help