hi there, I’m working on a 3d model for a client who is using a company that is asking for .iges or solidworks file so they can print/manufacture my model. this is the first time I’ve heard of solidworks and upon doing some googling I found that there isnt a lot of information on how to get a 3d zbrush model turned into a solidworks file. Is there anyone on these forums that has gone through this process before?
I’ve sent the 3d printing/manufacturing company various resolutions of my model in .stl format and they have not had a lot of luck so far. I fear they wont be able to read a file with 2 million triangles. I’m starting to get concerned because soon our deadline will catch up to us.
Any information would be awesome
thanks
Caleb
OBJ is another standard format. If your model has too many polygons you can easily bring it down using Zbrush’s decimation (which does really good).
I 3d print all the time and I use the obj format. The final print is an STL. What type of printer are they using? If it’s a CNC type machine I could see some issues. They shouldn’t even have to use Solidworks if it’s not. Might be able to skip a step. If you need more help with specifics you can send me a message.
I’m also having a few issues converting my z-brush / Rhino model into an IGES file, which is suitable for creating a CNC machine path. The model is perfect for rapid prototyping and we have already done this successfully. I don’t have the time or budget to remodel the mesh to a nurb surface. I’ve asked the supplier to investigate software to write machine paths using .stl, but they are determined that I need to supply a workable IGES.
MentalFrog - can you possibly point me in the right direction, it sounds like you have some experience of this.
Many thanks!
You have the data necessary, remodeling would be unnecessary. My post above has link to conversion software which should do the job.
Hi Doug,
I did look at the link - do you have any idea what these guys are likely to charge or how they go about creating the IGES? I have already made IGES files by converting the mesh to nurb in rhino, but the IGES are too complex (too large) for our supplier to write the tool path from it.
My working .stl used for RP is only 11mb and contains reasonable detail. This model converts to almost 300MB if converted to IGES by turning the mesh to nurb. So I reduced the mesh as much as I dare in decimation master to give me an .obj just over 1MB and this resulted in an IGES of 113MB. The last IGES does open in parametric modelling software, but the details are much reduced.
Just wondering what kind of results I’m likely to get from 3D translate…
No, I don’t know what results you’d get. Maybe you could point the other folks to the software and they could purchase it?
There are some other CAD/CAM softwares which can read in an .stl and generate a tool path…hope that helps.