Meshmixer/Meshlab can do a validation on the file quality. I have compiled some thought as a starting point for this research, make sure your STL/OBJ/PLY (mesh) file has a decent quality.

While converting files from mesh to solid you should look for accuracy, number of patches, file size and many other variables that should be taken in consideration based on the use you will give for the solid file. Ĭonverting mesh files to solid formats is a complex task.That is what you are asking for when converting STLs to STEPs.Īt least that is my understanding. It is hard to go from pixels back to that is a face, or even that is the face of my dog. These are all things that the original STEP files would have in them but that you lose when converting to STL. And so it is hard to take a collection of triangles and know that those ones over there are a cylinder, and these ones over here are a square with a hole in it and the other ones over that way are a rounded edge. They know about surfaces with various geometries and curves. STEPs on the other hand are solid objects with volume. They have no concept of volume, or squares, or rounded surfaces. Further, every surface is broken up in the triangles so you get a lot of triangles. I think it is either in the Mesh or Part workbench.Īs for why it is tricky, my understanding is that STLs are just a bunch of points, lines and faces. I just do not remember the details or what it is called. Learning to use that could probably reduce the file size considerable. There is a function in FreeCAD to simplify models. Look for additional FreeCAD tutorials about converting STLs.

Convert stl to openscad