Need Help!- Stl Binary Solid

[catabolic]

Hello, I recently purchased CAMBAM (cb) and am using AutoCAD Mechanical 04 to create my designs. I have used STLOUT (binary) in autocad to export the solid into cb.

The solid shows up fine when opening in cb (rotating shows the 3d solid correctly), but HOW DO I GO ABOUT MACHINING AN IMPORTED STL SOLID (3d profile?)? It shows a (1) next to "Surface" when I import the solid, but I don't know if I need to define all of its surfaces (127 surface count when I explode it), or even if it is recognized as a single "unioned" object; not individual surface planes relative to each other. I am having trouble working with this one small object and I need to cut multiples of it from one stock piece of wood; I need to make the cuts count!

I say this because when trying to generate toolpaths it says "Warning! Can not convert CAMBAM.CAD.Surface to region or polyline."

I am still waiting for the cb forum admin to approve my registration for now, so cnc zone is my next stop. I know I am talking about and taking on too many things at once, but any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated!!!! Thank You!!!!

[catabolic]

I have learned that the number (1) is the item in the list, and cambam is recognizing it as an imported surface mesh. I have defined the stock, but how do I put the solids I've modeled into the stock to cut them out? I seem to be approaching this the wrong way, but I am also just starting out, Advice is appreciated and welcomed!!! bump

[catabolic]

I guess I was just under the impression that I could mock up everything in autocad to import and generate tool paths, I am guessing I may have to redraw a lot of it in cambam?

[ger21]

I don't use CamBam, but here's some advice.
.stl is not a solid model format, it's a polygonal mesh. When you export a solid as an .stl from AutoCAD, it converts it to a triangular mesh. That's why CamBam is reporting a surface mesh.

The .stl should be fine, you probably just need to learn how CamBam operates.

[catabolic]

That is true, I just obtained a license/ downloaded today to be honest, but I have already found out how to align it in the stock, and the multi-step process I will use to cut my pieces. I just don't know how to import the solid model as a region in cambam and not a binary stl surface; solid object and not surfaces? Thanks Again for your reply I thought I was floating alone there for a minute. I am learning the basics and am trying to take my time with it, but advice to put me ahead is appreciated!

[ger21]

Originally Posted by catabolic I just don't know how to import the solid model as a region in cambam and not a binary stl surface

I don't think you can. But it shouldn't matter, as the .stl should work fine.

[catabolic]

Okay I just converted it to a 3ds file (3dsout single object), and I think I am getting the hang of it...

[ger21]

.3ds is basically the exact same thing as an .stl.
Main difference is that .3ds has a 64,000 polygon limit, and .stl is unlimited in size, I think.

[catabolic]

Nothing, still the same warning message with 3ds file, "Warning! Can not convert CAMBAM.CAD.Surface to region or polyline."

[catabolic]

Thanks ger21, problem solved, the solid model in autocad was a part of two different layers (I used a second layer solid to subtract from the latter stock piece to fillet additional parts that have to conform to the stock, hence the multi-surface edit that couldn't be recognized as one region; even if it was a solid in autocad, exporting separated them by layer). Finalized the parts into a single layer, 3dsout export (by layer), aligned the model with cambam stock, 3d profile mop, designate parameters, and can now generate/see tool paths to export g-code. It's the smallest things I overlook that get me. CamBam is looking to be an excellent tool, very intuitive. Now I need to see if I can edit the stock in cambam, or how to work around it...Thanks Again for chatting with me.

[mcphill]

Try STEP or IGES file exports from AutoCAD. Those are 3D model formats, not meshes.

[catabolic]

I will try those formats, Thanks for helping a newbie out.