How to Align .STL Files in SolidWorks

Today we tackle the most asked question from our previous "working with .stls" video, and that is "How do you orient new .stl files within Solidworks?"
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[@4n2earth22]

Excellent. I have watched several of your videos recently, and have come to the conclusion that your channel provides some of the very best instruction content and methodology presently on KZbin. Most content providers in this arena (SW Instruction or how-to vids) have forgotten about the process and just go to the show-and-tell mode, or just the show mode. Your talent is presented in your method of communication and attention to the processes, and importantly, the perception of the viewer. I say 'talent' because you have embraced your gift for communicating a highly complex program and process and applied yourself to helping others. Specifically, I appreciate how you briefly, yet concisely, define and describe the issue or process and the key steps before starting the task. Also, offering alternatives is very instructive; you obviously know not every solution path is going to be useful to your audience. Thank you for applying yourself to the task of helping others in this way. The world is a better place for it.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Thank you so much for your kind words! They mean a lot! I always feel nervous showing a single solution path, knowing there are likely better options out there depending on intent and use.

[@Auday365]

Very useful, a hidden gem within SolidWorks, thanks for sharing.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

I wish I had more bandwidth to create videos more often, so I appreciate the compliment.

[@fadithepianoman]

Great tutorial. One thing to add for this part specifically is that the outside edges of the part can be extended with construction lines to define the center of the part. Hope this makes sesne.

[@zakaroonetwork777]

Thank You So Much. This Changes my 3D Printing Game bid time.

[@honda02134]

Nicely done 👍

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@s10mods]

Very useful I definitely learned some new tricks. Thanks.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Glad you got something out of it!

[@michaelfargo2564]

Great Tips! Thank you!

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

You bet! I hope it was helpful.

[@adarshgupta2516]

A Lot of thanks, 💯 For tricks

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Always welcome

[@soupermario22]

Subscribed! Great video

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Thanks for the sub! It means a lot!

[@abdullahjaved8875]

Thank you so much.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

No worries!

[@orhanibrahim5035]

Thanks

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

You're welcome, hope it helps!

[@taloot123]

gr8 thanks man

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

You bet!

[@donr62]

Very useful video, thank you.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

I am glad it was helpful. What do you do that uses stl files?

[@donr62]

@@forgeproductdevelopment I normally design motorcycle parts for personal use in Solidworks from scratch and then print them on my 3D printer. I can see a 3D scanner in my future and that's where handling STLs and this video will come in handy.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

@@donr62 That makes sense. Have you tried the LiDAR scanners in the new iphones/ipads? I have been meaning to take a look at those with apps like polycam.

[@donr62]

@@forgeproductdevelopment I have and they’re not really suitable. I think they’re designed more for room sized AR projects rather than the smaller details required for bike parts.

[@Bennyco86]

Yourr channel is awesome mate! BTW you mentioned CAD scanner in your previous videos, which one are you using? and which one would you recommend?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Glad you are enjoying it! I hope it has been helpful. I don't have a scanner in house, but have sent out parts to have scans generated before. I recently did some testing with photogrammetry, but was unable to produce a model of adequate quality.

[@brandonz2]

Incredibly good tutorial! It's easy to tell you actually use SolidWorks for work. One question: When I saved it as a parasolid, the graphic body doesn't show up. It did however when I saved it as an STL. My process for this STL file: I had to open it as a graphics body because it was too big to convert to surfaces. Then I used Surface From Mesh to get a surface for my base plane. From there I followed your steps. In this case, will the parasolid option not apply? Thanks!

[@RodanChi]

Damn... you rock!

[@nkihil1]

How did you add points on the plane. I couldn't do that

[@FeatNaama]

I've found the solution: Before opening the STL file, you'll have to go to the options and change the "Mesh body options".

[@michaelblurry6559]

I couldnt do this. Is it because its a graphic body?. Should i convert to a mesh?

[@user-6tfvk70k78]

Hi thank you for your lesson! Can you align scan data, which has no geometry, no symmetry, no cylinders, no holes, no squares. for example, some stone without a flat surface. but visually a person recognizes this and understands where the top is and where the bottom is.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Absolutely! You can create the reference planes in any location you want. Just use the ricks in the video, but instead of using points from the san data you can just eyeball it in space.

[@blkmtnfab]

Is there a way to complete this process without having to save, then reopen the file? As an example - I am working with scan data that is an open object (the scan of the front of a vehicle I am looking to design a bumper for). I can follow your steps to create the coordinates but Solidworks will not allow me to export as a parasolid since there is no volume. When I save as an .stl file with the coordinates saved in the configuration, it defaults back to the original plane/coordinate system. When saved as a .step, it saves as a tiny 2kb file and will not open at all when re-opened. Looking for some insight on scans that are "incomplete" so to speak. Thank you!

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Hope your project is going well. Finally made a video on the solution: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn7CkJaGeMpjjbs

[@Bialy092]

Nice video, but I have problem with save to stl with new coordinate. When I click save I dont see stl in folder. Maybe you know why?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Is this when you try to "save as" .stl it is not an option, or after you save the file it is not in the location you saved it to?

[@1gordon4u]

erste Sahne , ich bin begeistert.

[@camerongillis437]

How are you selecting points? Ive never been able to do that

[@FeatNaama]

I've found the solution: Before opening the STL file, you'll have to go to the options and change the "Mesh body options".

[@jntutorials1699]

Good day Sir. Is there a way that we can use mesh models into solidworks assembly?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Absolutely, I would create a part file within the assembly and put the mesh in that file, then use that as a reference for the other part files within that assembly. Try to keep the part file with the mesh at the top of the assembly design tree. Does that help?

[@Pathfinder_1314]

@@forgeproductdevelopment Thanks Sir. How about creating an assembly of mesh models? Is that possible Sir?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

@@Pathfinder_1314 It should be. Have you tried creating part files, each with its own part of the mesh, and then inserting those part files into an assembly?

[@Pathfinder_1314]

@@forgeproductdevelopment yes Sir. I created mesh bodies as part files but the Mate Feature doesn't work on them. Do you have a video reference to this topic Sir?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

@@Pathfinder_1314 Ah yes! The mate commands will not work on the mesh. You will need to create some form of geometry within each part file to mate to, either sketches or surfaces will work. This video shows how to create geometry within the part files using the mesh as reference.

[@hudakmartin9446]

I would be pleased to have the answer for the same problem @blkmtnfab described. My scan is so to say not watertight and this way Solidworks won't let me make this operation saying my file is invalid.

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

I will try to make up a video addressing this early next week!

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Video will be up tomorrow morning. Sorry for the delay! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn7CkJaGeMpjjbs

[@orhanibrahim5035]

How to convert to cad data ?

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Are you trying to do something like this? How to Reverse Engineer .STL Files in SolidWorks kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3zbap9obdOLocU

[@scantocad-mesh2surface]

Use dedicated tools like mesh2surface add-in

[@nkihil1]

How to select points on the scan

[@FeatNaama]

I've found the solution: Before opening the STL file, you'll have to go to the options and change the "Mesh body options".

[@bmpwe]

@@FeatNaama Which option did you choose. I can't seem to make that work.

[@FeatNaama]

@@bmpwe In the file explorer you'll have to go into the options of the specific file.

[@bmpwe]

@@FeatNaama import as a solid body or surface body? Also options for “Create mesh bodies bounded by single faces” and “group facets into faces”. Choose either of these? I really appreciate your help!

[@FeatNaama]

@@bmpwe Disable these “Create mesh bodies bounded by single faces” and “group facets into faces”

[@hubertcarle5381]

Good info. Not to be picky but how come in the two videos I've watched your words are backwards? LOL

[@forgeproductdevelopment]

Haha! I never noticed that! I just need to flip my camera when editing. Thanks!