is it possible to import / modify .obj files, or other purely 3D-model formats that are't CAD? =8^O)

ann_monn

i am a CAD noob.  

i sculpted by hand (rasps, dust, garage, tendonitis) and derived a digital model of the sculpt via photogrammetry.  the model is all cleaned up and in .obj format.  i need to cut an array of holes in its surface so it becomes a coarse mesh; i need to 3D print the result, so the mesh has to be 45º so its printable.  my first real day using Onshape and i actually figured it out, i got everything working on a test-object.  I'm stoked, full of coffee, ready to forge ahead working on the .obj file now, and i am just totally encased in horror because .obj file will not show up on import

it appears to upload, it takes up dataspace, but theres nothing there when the upload is complete.  no indication of 3space, just blank white oblivion.  

 

andrew_troup

Onshape can act as a container for files relating to a project, which is why you were able to import the file. 

However, being a CAD package, I'm sorry to have to tell you that having imported a file, Onshape can only translate it (in order to be usable within Onshape) it if it originated as a CAD file, from a subset of CAD systems as listed at top right on this page, after clicking on the triangle to the left of "Part Studios"

https://cad.onshape.com/help/#translation.htm 

You may be able to translate your .obj file into one of those formats using a free online translation service.
Choose Parasolid or STEP for best results, if possible.

HTH

ben_masefield

This is in the works and currently in a Beta stage (external App, Windows only, handles OBJ, STL and a few others). If you are open to participate in a Beta test, see this post: https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/1953/have-you-ever-wanted-to-read-a-stl-file-into-onshape#latest

ann_monn

hi -- I'm on a Mac, not eligible.  but thanks for thinking of it

ben_masefield

you may be able to use Parallels or some other virtual environment to get around the restriction (of having a Mac)... but no, Mac isn't supported (and won't be for the foreseeable future... porting to a different OS is unfortunately not a simple task).

ann_monn

i understand.  thanks!

also, for anybody else new to CAD who might be in a similar situation, there is no automated conversion of a polygonal model to a parametric one.  it sounds like you can dice around with formats and possibly import your polygonal object as a reference, but you'd have to recreate it parametrically (using CAD tools only) in order to modify it in Onshape.