From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Importing Geometry From Other Applications
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Explanation of STL files and limitations - SOLIDWORKS Tutorial
From the course: SOLIDWORKS: Importing Geometry From Other Applications
Explanation of STL files and limitations
- [Instructor] With the rise of rapid prototyping and 3D printing, the STL file format is becoming more and more critical to 3D design. When you create a 3D design, you will often have to export it as an STL file or import STL files when you want to send it to a 3D printer or a rapid prototyper. Let's look at the definition on Wikipedia. When you convert a file in SOLIDWORKS to an STL file, essentially what you do is similar to the graphic on the right. You can see here how the original shape was a sphere. That's outlined in red. But then the STL file actually creates triangular nodes, making an approximation of the same shape. You can adjust the coarse or fineness of these triangles, making them bigger or smaller to get a better approximation of your shape. Once you've created this file, you'll then send it out to a 3D printing machine or export it to a rapid prototyper for manufacturing.
Contents
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Importing 3D geometry1m 46s
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Searching for imported geometry1m 48s
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Explanation of IGES files and limitations42s
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Importing an IGES file5m 23s
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Explanation of STEP files and limitations51s
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Importing a STEP file4m
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Explanation of Parasolid files and limitations1m 5s
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Importing a Parasolid file4m 55s
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Explanation of STL files and limitations58s
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Importing an STL file6m 2s
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Saving as a part or assembly using FeatureWorks5m 36s
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Solid body vs. surface body management3m 3s
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