STL and OBJ imports not showing up

Marc_Miller

I'm testing out importing STL and OBJ files.  They seem to import fine (don't report any errors, and say Translation completed), but most of the time I'm not getting an actual mesh file, rather only a tab for the imported file that says No preview available.

I've tried importing STL files as ASCII and binary STL.  Does it matter?
Do the imported meshes have to be manifold, solid, have correctly oriented normals, zero intersecting triangles, etc, etc.?
What are the requirements that allow a STL or OBJ to actually show up as a mesh, vs just getting a tab that says No preview available?

ye_2

Thanks for sharing the failed imports with support!

I tried an STL in your document, it didn't pass our validation. To check if the model uploaded successfully, you can click "show more" in the notification dropdown.

Some of the meshes have self-intersecting or zero-area faces. We're actively improving on repairing problematic meshes. More to come!

bradley_sauln

It may take a little longer for the files to actually translate into something Onshape can use. When this happens you will see a tab appear next to the title tab (which is what you are seeing). If nothing imports please file a feedback ticket and share the document with Onshape support so we can take a closer look and help out.

Marc_Miller

So after it imports and says Translation is complete and a tab shows up that says No preview available, but if I keep waiting another tab might show up later with the mesh?  How long might that be?  Am I understanding what you said correctly?

I'll open a ticket shortly and share a file.  Thank you.

jakeramsley

Marc_Miller said:

So after it imports and says Translation is complete and a tab shows up that says No preview available, but if I keep waiting another tab might show up later with the mesh?  How long might that be?  Am I understanding what you said correctly?

I'll open a ticket shortly and share a file.  Thank you.

Once the translation is complete it should show up as a new tab.  Please file a ticket so that our support can take a look.

Marc_Miller

Feedback ticket has been submitted and I shared this file:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/f4ae9059fede8adface02734/w/9f8f4b568f94446f9fe9c828/e/87d5c39f69367b44cddcd265

ye_2

Thanks for sharing the failed imports with support!

I tried an STL in your document, it didn't pass our validation. To check if the model uploaded successfully, you can click "show more" in the notification dropdown.

Some of the meshes have self-intersecting or zero-area faces. We're actively improving on repairing problematic meshes. More to come!

Marc_Miller

I appreciate the info @ye_2
I'll keep my eye out for updates.

matthew_barnett893

i cant even see import anywhere created document no import went into document no import tried to drag and drop no import what am i doing wrong all otrher software has no problems impoorting this exact file

NeilCooke

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/108617#Comment_108617

To import an STL file into Onshape:
1. On the Documents page, expand the Create pulldown and select Import.
2. Browse and select the STL file you want to import.
3. A notification will appear showing the import status.
4. Once imported, the STL file will appear as a new Document.

You can also import STL files into an existing document by clicking the Insert new element icon (plus symbol) in the bottom left and choosing Import, then browsing and selecting the file.