Looking for a free STL file modification/editing tool

[Lemosteam]

Or maybe someone that can help me separate one of my designs that I only have the stl file for.

I can import .stp as a native file but not stl.

I tried an STL to Step file conversion tool yesterday but that was useless. 

I will send the file to anyone that can help.

I would appreciate it.

[ednadolski]

Not sure if this is very useful: Sketchup can import.stl files, tho it is not very good at it -- it seems to generate tons of extraneous lines/sufaces, I guess perhaps due to round-off errors...     I am not sure offhand what export formats it supports.

Ed

[garethashenden]

Fusion 360 can import stl files and then convert them to solids. If there are more than 10000 triangles it gets very grumpy, so it kinda depends on how complex your models are.

[chessie system fan]

Gareth is right about Fusion360.  For larger files, I've tried splitting stl files up into smaller pieces and then converted those pieces. Depending on the file size, that's a possibility.  I'm willing to give it a try if you like. 

[Mdrzycimski]

If you have a Windows computer, you can download 3D Builder for free (it may even already be on your computer if you have Windows 10).

3D Builder can easily import a STL file and split it.

[Lemosteam]

Thanks for all of the thoughts and support gents.

I found a video that showed me a workaround to import the stl file into my native software as surface data. From there I will be able to remaster the lost solid data, so I am good to go; actually part way done. File size or number of facets did not affect the process.

 I did try, but was unable to import the large file into Fusion 360 or Tinkercad.

I am always amazed at the volume of collective knowledge on YouTube. I should have searched there first.

[garethashenden]

Out of curiosity, which program are you using?

[Lemosteam]

Out of curiosity, which program are you using?

Unfortunately, I would rather not say, sorry.

[rodsup9000]

 I use Sketchup Pro 2021 and most STL files load pretty fast for me. I do have lots of ram and a very good gaming video card.
I have a brick building that would take my old computer 10 to 15 minutes to load as a STL file and now they load in 20 to 30 seconds.
 The more triangles, the longer it takes to load. There is some programs available that will decrease the file size (triangles) to make it easier to open

[Chris333]

I just opened a stl with Sketchup 2019. A simple chimney file (750kb.). Tried to explode it and it took about 3min. 1.5min into it the screen turned white and it said not responding.

[wm3798]

After browsing through this thread, I went ahead and hunted down Windows 3D builder to see if I could make sense of it.  I was able to import an STL file from my architecture program, which has netted me some reasonably good first steps.



But I'm struggling to understand what the tools do, and how to accomplish simple things like verify the scaling.
Then there's the whole matter of applying textures, editing walls for thickness, adding braces, and all the other things I see you guys doing with your eyes tied behind your backs.

Other than taking what I've imported and shooting it directly into the old Ender, what should I be doing?  (If reading the directions is part of it, be advised this isn't the language I speak, so recommended shortcuts are always welcome.)

Also, if there's a more intuitive software for the techically bewildered, please, I'm open to suggestion...

Lee

[dem34]

After browsing through this thread, I went ahead and hunted down Windows 3D builder to see if I could make sense of it.  I was able to import an STL file from my architecture program, which has netted me some reasonably good first steps.



But I'm struggling to understand what the tools do, and how to accomplish simple things like verify the scaling.
Then there's the whole matter of applying textures, editing walls for thickness, adding braces, and all the other things I see you guys doing with your eyes tied behind your backs.

Other than taking what I've imported and shooting it directly into the old Ender, what should I be doing?  (If reading the directions is part of it, be advised this isn't the language I speak, so recommended shortcuts are always welcome.)

Also, if there's a more intuitive software for the techically bewildered, please, I'm open to suggestion...

Lee

3D builder used to be the standard, but IMHO even if you don't intend to use a Filament printer, PrusaSlicer is great for simple model editing, even lets you export edits and plating as STL.