Hi, Im new to this forum and Z Brush. Im creating 3 D objects in Z Brush with the goal of exporting them to have a rapid prototype created. Am I able to create a .stl file using Z Brush or do I have to export to other software capable of creating a .stl file? I have been using Rhino - NURBS to create the 3d objects and exporting them as a .stl file to have them carved 3d.
Hi,
ZBrush does not export STL files. Export the model as an OBJ and bring it into Rhino, then export the STL from there. I think that there are also some free OBJ to STL conversion utilities floating around on the Web.
TD
Yeah, Meshlab can convert them, and it’s free.
I don’t know about scale functions in Meshlab, but the ability to scale your models in Rhino to get the exact dimensions you want is quite nice when setting up something that you want to produce in the real world. Also the ability to measure sizes (via. dimensions) of arbitrary elements of the model to make sure it’s something that isn’t too small or large in Rhino is useful too.
I just downloaded meshlab to try. Any recommendations on documentation, the help area is very limited.
download blender. I just found that it has a STL exporter. So import the OBJ in blender and re-export as .STL.
Howdy,
Has anyone had success with taking Zbrush 3 models and gettting them rapid prototyped? I’m looking to do some 3d printing now that many of the machines can do very fine detail prints, Zbrush seems the natural next step.
So could you explain the process you used and what problems you encountered by your method?
(Example, Zbrush export to Rhino to STL to RP machine)
Any help is greatly appreciated!
I think you have the right idea.
Zbrush export obj
Some other program export stl.
Things you have to be careful of.
Your mesh must not have any open edges. e.g. don’t delete a face from the model. It must be 100% water tight.
Keep the real size of the object in mind. This is hard to do when you’re staring at it on your 24" widescreen monitor. That detail you add could end up being fractions of a millimeter when all is said and done.
Keep in mind the structural integrity of your object too. For example, if an arm is long and very beefy, make sure that the entire thing is strong enough to support it’s weight. If you’re making something small this may mean that you would have to cheat on the proportions. e.g. if you made a human that were about 28 mm tall, and you had everything perfectly to scale, the ankles would end up being less than a millimeter wide, and the feet would break off.
Good luck
ZBrush absolutely exports STL files. go to “Zplgin” in the menu, select EXPORT STL in the 3D PRINT HUB and blammo you can literally export any polymesh as an STL. you are also able to control scaling, mesh volume, and assorted other parametres.
Signed, a seven year Zbrush novice