Part Dimensions

[Gorillakilla]

I just downloaded the demo for MeshCAM and I imported an STL file from SolidWorks. My problem is, in SolidWorks I drew the part to be 3.5" by 4" overall, but MeshCAM has it at about 76 and 101. I double checked SolidWorks and confirmed I was set to inches. I had this same problem before when using FreeMill. Any idea why my drawings are coming out too big?

[robgrz]

Probably an in/mm conversion problem. STL files don't have any units embedded within them so it's us to the user to specify. If MeshCAM is telling you 76x101 then Solidworks is exporting in mm one way or another. MeshCAM doesn't do any multiplication on import- what you see is what the cad software gave you. As a backup you can import as in then scale the model by 1/25.4 .

-Robert

[simonsayshello]

Hi Gorillakilla,
I was searching through the forums to see if someone had the same problem
as I and found your post I am also having the same problem just wondered what you did to solve it? I import a stl from SW and in MeshCam it is huge not to scale.
Thank you for your time
SimonSaysHello

[Terry G]

Just in case anyone needs a solution for this.

When in solidworks, choose save as, then select .stl. Then select options. In the 'Output as' box select units to be inches. The default is mm.

[robgrz]

Would you be able to get a screen shot of that dialog- I'd love to be able to point to the image when this comes up again.

-Robert

[Terry G]

Here you go. I tried uploading the images to cnczone, but it kept failing. So here is a link to my webshots with the photos:

solid works photos

I just ran into this problem tonight so I did a search for it on cnczone. I came across this message and it made sense it had something to do with the inch/mm thing.

I just went to the solid works help file, in the search field I typed STL and the first entry that popped up explained what to do. It also has a lot of other information on the other options for STL files.

Hope this helps.

[robgrz]

Sorry to be greedy but can I get one more with the options dialog?

Thanks for the help.

-Robert

[Terry G]

Already there. You need to click on the next picture within webshots. Should be off to the right of the large picture.

[robgrz]

Thanks!

-Robert