Convert STL File in Fusion360

This works great with simple models, but doesn’t always work great with large or complex models. If you have questions or suggestions, please let me know in the comments!

[@sotm6078]

NOTE You must have the PAID version of Fusion 360 for this to work. Disabled in Hobby/Personal version!!

[@rickseiden1]

If you import the stl into Tinkercad you can export it as a step file and then import that into the hobby version of Fusion.

[@Mr_Gadge]

@@rickseiden1 I've just tried that, and in tinker I don't get the option in export to save as step.

[@rickseiden1]

@@Mr_Gadge I saw it in a video last week, and can't find it again. I swear I tried it and it worked. I was so excited since it was easy. But now I can't make it happen and I can't find the video.

[@woodcat7180]

@@rickseiden1 I don't think you can. But you can send it from Tinkercad to Fusion and it will stay as solid.

[@pipdesignshop]

That's so much better than what I've done before. I was missing the "Generate Face Groups" step, and it just made the body with ALL the faces and edges, more than the faceted version. This is a great tip. Thank you!

[@voodas]

Prismatic is not available on free edition

[@ShopTherapy623]

Yes, unfortunately. I didn’t know that when making the video, or I would have stated it. I’ve only ever used the paid version.

[@rsilvers129]

It is in the education version.

[@agarza6475]

If you have to use the "Faceted" feature, you can use the "Combine Face Groups" (under Prepare) to reduce the number of faces. This will take a lot of time if you have a complex model but you can clean it up to be more managable.

[@stwill1643]

Thank you for this! I just got a scanner and have been trying to figure out a better way to go from mesh to cad and this is super helpful.

[@ricardoalejandrocarballes3170]

The option that you use Prismatic in Fusion 360 is not possible for me to use, since my version of this software is for private use (free), therefore it is not available. Do you know how I can convert the STL to solids with Fusion 360 and have them look as you explain in this video? Thank you.

[@ultimatetaba]

Very helpful. Going to try it out tonight! Thanks!

[@dimf5kbb977]

very good tutorial thanks !

[@EvanSTallas]

Fantastic. Thanks!

[@neilomalley9887]

Is this a new feature or a paid feature. I feel like I spent hours trying to make this work on multiple occasions and only ever got to the faceted bodies.

[@ShopTherapy623]

I wasn’t aware when I made the video - “prismatic” is a paid feature. 😢😢😢

[@minty_lint]

@@ShopTherapy623 you may want to add that in the video notes.

[@TOYSrROYS]

Danke 🙏👍 echt super!!! Habe heute diverse STL Files ausprobiert, doch bei vielen hängt sich Fusion auf oder kann es nicht, wie zb das Benchy Boot das kann er bei mir nicht oder von Bambu Lab das Düsen Triebwerk die Räder, entweder kommt ein fehler oder das Teil hat viele Fehler, hast du einen Tipp wie man so zu sagen alle STL Files schafft? Danke und Grüsse....Abo hast du😊

[@samar5838]

My mesh is getting converted to a surface. Everything inside is hollow. Do you know why that might be happening and how to fix it?

[@ShopTherapy623]

I would need more information on the steps and options you chose when trying to convert it

[@samar5838]

@@ShopTherapy623 It is an stl file. I did generate face groups and then prismatic. Initially I thought everything got converted perfectly. But when I started working on it, I realised that it was hollow from inside. I glanced at the browser and it showed the "surface" icon for it. I can't seem to understand how it got converted into a surface instead of a body.

[@ShopTherapy623]

@@samar5838 if it’s a complicated or large file, prismatic may not work, which is probably why you’re getting the hollow surface body. You can try “stitching it” under the surface tab. Otherwise you’ll probably have to use the Faceted approach

[@jonathanoeijoeng]

any tips for free users? prismatic only available for paid subscriber

[@ShopTherapy623]

You have to use the “faceted” option. It creates a solid body but is messy.

[@Toffypops]

since it is expensive most people will never see the paid version. Only way then is to reverse engineer the stl files in 3D sketch.

[@ShopTherapy623]

Not entirely true. You can use the "faceted" approach, and then delete meshes to get smooth faces. Any flat face can be cleaned up. Harder to clean up fillets and bevels

[@venko3211]

I follow your steps but not convert STL TO SOLIDBODY. I have paid version. Please send me your email id I will send image