Extrude/Remove text on imported STL

Coach_P

I imported an STL file (batplate_v2.stl) and added a plane to the face of the STL where I then added some text. All that seemed to go well. But when I try to Extrude/Remove the text I get a Merge error. It's like the STL is not a real part and it doesn't know what part to extrude/remove the text into. Any suggestions? Thank you! BTW, this is for a FIRST Robotics High School team.

Jake_Delano

You can only use STL files as references in Onshape, you cannot make any changes to the model itself. If you want to make edits to geometry, I would suggest using a solid model of your file if possible.

GWS50

Try this featurescript called BooleanPlus by MBartlet.
It is a real life saver

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/84d939daceef6a928b8abcba/w/9e0dafb21fbe2ec8b983bbdc/e/7c5dcdb503f7e2f6ddba9d30

In fact I would go so far to say that I couldn't live without it!!!!

Otherwise you can use Meshmixer (free to use) to perform boolean operations but you'll need to export both parts as STLs and then reimport the resutls, still as an STL though.

If you reduce the poly count to below 10000 i.e.9500 you can use FreeCad to turn the STL into a step file. These can be quite large files though.
There are youtube videos on how to do this and FreeCad, as the name suggests is free!

Coach_P

Thank you for the reply GWS50! I will try this!

place_high

@GWS50
What a life saver!