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How to edit .stl files in Onshape
ProApe
Member Posts: 93 ✭
Hello,
I would like to construct a drag chain for the cables of my drawing machine.
I have managed to draw and print the links, but as the chain is not rigid enough (it bends too much) I have searched the internet and found .stl files that are ready to print.
I want to customise them in Onshape, but it can't (?) edit .stl files, at least not directly.
What possibilities are there to edit them in Onshape anyway?
Kind regards
ProApe
0
Comments
You can add to or remove from watertight stl files, you can't "edit" them per se in onshape.
What are "watertight" .stl files?
Isn't there a possibility to transform them outside of Onshape into a format that Onshape can handle?
"Watertight" means that the STL is fully enclosed without holes.
Your life will be easiest if you either find actual CAD files or use the mesh as a reference to re-model the parts in Onshape. A drag chain link isn't all that hard to model.
STL files are simply a bunch of triangles representing a surface. the triangles contain in inside and and outside orientation. many STL files are not representative of a volumetric shape and represent just a partial suface, many other STL files are volumetric but have missing triangles or flipped triangles or overlapping triangles. If you can pour water into the the STL and it doesn't leak out no matter which way you turned the STL, you have a watertight file. Should be called air tight technically since water will hold when the holes get small enough… LOL. Anyway Onshape does not have tools edit non watertight STL files other than maybe SPLIT. If its water tight you can make holes in it or add extrusions, etc.