Meshlab

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Revision as of 14:43, 10 March 2010 by Daniel K. Schneider (talk | contribs) (Created page with '{{Stub}} == Introduction == This is a little tutorial that covers first steps of using Meshlab for creating printable RapMan .STL files. == Importint .dae and exporting to …')
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Introduction

This is a little tutorial that covers first steps of using Meshlab for creating printable RapMan .STL files.

== Importint .dae and exporting to .stl

Some 3D modeling tools like google sketchup only can export to .DAE, the collada format. In order to import to skeinforge, you need an .STL.

To import .dae:

  • File -> Open

You then could fix meshes and do other manipulations like changing size and position, but for beginners it's easier to use NetFabb for this. Therefore just save

To export as .stl:

  • File -> Save As

Merging layers

Now l'est assume that you have two or more objects that you would like to merge.

In the most simple case, they already are in the right position, e.g. you did this in Netfabb or sketchup.

According to the Layer Management Meshlab wiki page:

  • You can add an external mesh to a new layer by going in File > Open As New

Layer.

  • The open the layers tool. Click on the 5th icon from the left and that looks a like a pile of paper (or layers).
  • Either right-click on the layer box that will popup, or go in Filters > Layers Management. Then flatten your layers, click on Flatten visible Layers The options are explicit.
  • Then File->Save as
  • Again, you could import to Netfabb again for repair or directly import to skeinforge, depends how much you trust your STL files. When you export from sketchup to .DAE, repair is mandatory I believe.

Links

  • MeshLab is an the open source, portable, and extensible system for the processing and editing of unstructured 3D triangular meshes. Can import/export STL (for 3D printers like the RapMan))
    • Meshlab documentation wiki
    • MeshLab is sponsored by the EU 3d-coform project.
    • Imports: PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS, COLLADA, PTX, V3D, PTS, APTS, XYZ, GTS, TRI, ASC, X3D, X3DV, VRML, ALN
    • Exports: PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS, COLLADA, VRML, DXF, GTS, U3D, IDTF, X3D