.3ds to .stl

[cmeche09]

Hi all. I recently purchased a model from Turbosquid in hopes of editing it in Autocad and eventually plotting it out with a 3d printer.

The problem: The model was made with 3dstudio, but I was able to import it into autocad. When imported, it show up as a polyface mesh, which I have been able to convert to mesh, and again to surface, but not to solid.

The object needs to be solid to print.

I've tried Thicken, Convtosolid, and F2S to no avail. I've run out of ideas here, what do you guys think?

*edit* here's a picture for clarity.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae339/Siaye/cadhelpme.png

[JD Mather]

If you have 2011 try the Sculpt command.

Make sure there aren't any missing faces.

You would probably be better off modeling it yourself.

[jaberwok]

If you have 2011 try the Sculpt command.

Make sure there aren't any missing faces.

You would probably be better off modeling it yourself.

"sculpt" ?

Unknown command in acad 2011.

[cmeche09]

*problem resolved*

As it turns out, whenever AutoCAD converts a mesh to a smooth mesh, it develops little holes and imperfections everywhere, which was the root of my problems. All I had to do was change the smoothness level to none, union the two "empty shells" together, and convtosolid. Boom! Done!

[JD Mather]

"sculpt" ?

Unknown command in acad 2011.

First thing I teach my students when something doesn't work as expected to read the command line. In this case it suggests you hit the F1 key. If you follow the suggestion and do a bit more checking you can find information on using the Sculpt command from the Ribbon Interface.

Reading the command line is particularly useful for someone who uses typed commands. For command line input the command is surfsculpt (see attached for more information).

[jaberwok]

If you have 2011 try the Sculpt command.

First thing I teach my students when something doesn't work as expected to read the command line.
Command line reads "Unknown command "SCULPT". Press F1 for help."

In this case it suggests you hit the F1 key.
Which achieves nothing usefull.

If you follow the suggestion and do a bit more checking you can find information on using the Sculpt command from the Ribbon Interface.
Fine for those who use the ribbon interface.

Reading the command line is particularly useful for someone who uses typed commands. For command line input the command is surfsculpt (see attached for more information).
So SURFSCULPT is the command name, not SCULPT.

[JD Mather]

Which achieves nothing usefull.

It might be a good idea to become more familiar whith using the Help system. Once you leave the formal classroom instruction it is important to know how to navigate the Help system to continue learning about the software. Especially with each new release.


Fine for those who use the ribbon interface.

If you are dependent on the command line there might be a lot of other new features in 2011 that you are not aware of. Try hitting Ctrl 9 and then Yes to see the interface more like new users are likely to experience it. This might help you discover new commands if you try to resist typing commands. Some long-time users tend to become very proficient with a subset of command-line commands and not discover new functionality. You might also go through the Help>New Features Workshop (see attached image) to discover other new 2011 features that you were not aware of.