This was another incredibly helpful video for me. You have an amazing ability to explain things in a way I can actually use without tossing around technical jargon I'd only know if I'd been in the industry for years. THANK YOU!!!! Part complete and printing!!!!!
This was a extremely great way to go about the CAD designing and changing the STL all the way to the body seems like it could be simpler I am not sure why the software cant directly convert it but you did a really good job at showing how to do it.
Thanks for this, I immediately downloaded freeCAD. I do not see you dealing with a problem I regularly have where the slicer sees two objects in the same place and creates an absence of material in the overlaps. 1+1 = 0 in the slicer world.
RG your videos have been very helpful in my start within 3D printing. Could you possibly do a beginners guide to setting up Cura and explain which slicer you prefer and why?
Hi Phil...I'm glad you find my videos helpful in your 3D printing journey. Interestingly I've been thinking of doing a video on setting up a slicer profile and which slicer I like to use. I started with Cura and now I use both Cura and PrusaSlicer. I will be working on a video on Slicers soon. RG
Blender 3D can edit STL files. Import STL file into Blender3D. Go into Edit Mode. Select points at the top of the posts and move them up. Select points at ends of rectangles and move them. Export model to new STL file.
Hi, thx for this video. I was wondering why you didn't use external constraints for your sketch to attach the sketch to the original model. Is the 3D model produced from the the .stl file not work with the external attachment tool? Also I noted that you didn't fuse your extensions to the original model, which is interesting as it indicates the slicing sw has no issues with solids conflicting in the same space. Finally I was wondering why you didn't use the rectangular array tool and make all the copies in one shot? Thanks again for this video I learned a couple of things.
Can you make an STL into a sketch? Once I make the mesh to a solid, then refine the image, I end up with a nice solid, but I can't figure out how to make it so that I can constraint the lines to add the dimensions and end up with a working sketch. This way I can put the dimensions into a spreadsheet and make the part parametric. Can you help?
Hi @tonyp4894...as far as I know this can't be done. The only way you'd be able to get a sketch is by bringing the STL into FreeCAD and tracing it. Depending on the model this can be a bit of a task, but not impossible. But generating a parametric sketch out of an STL isn't really possible as far as I know. That would be quite an amazing feature though. RG
This is a great video. Unfortunately the program has updated, so most of this doesn't count anymore. I spent an hour trying to figure it out, and just can't. Appreciate the video tho.
Hi Sandra...thank you for your kind words. It's appreciated. I'm sorry that the video didn't help you much. Which part were you having an issue with? If you encountered a problem converting an STL into a solid the truth is it doesn't always work well, regardless of the CAD application. Whether it works or not depends on the complexity of the STL. The simpler the model the better. Also, which version of FreeCAD were you using? In the video I believe I was using the Realthunder version which is optimized more for this kind of stuff, although the official release should be able to do it as well. Anyway, hopefully you'll find a way to accomplish what you need to. Thanks. RG
Hello...I haven't tried this in Fusion. This kind of conversion is hit and miss unfortunately. Whether it'll work or not really depends on the model that you're trying to convert. It just won't work with a complex model. RG
I followed your steps and I was able to import an STL and then I added text to the model. When I tried to export it even though I can see the text on the model in FREECAD I can't see it when I load the model into CURA.. Under model solid I have a body, then a base feature and two shapestrings.. The text is maped onto the face of the model and it looks perfect in Freecad.. Just looking for some advice... HELP?
Did you PAD the text after applying it to the model? If you put the text on the body, but didn't PAD it you won't be able to see it when bringing it into CURA. RG
@@CreatewithTech I did.. I did the PAD after applying it to the model.. So what should be the correct sequence/operation to apply text to a model I imported as an STL?
@@CreatewithTech Thank you.. One more question please.. If I have a STEP file of the object do I follow the same process you have indicated for adding text?
Hi thanks for the video. I see it's 2 years old and things may be different now. I also understand the two examples are used to show the principles involved. However it could make for an interesting new video to show how both these examples could be achieved in the slicer. At least I know it's possible in bambu studio. The first example by add part or add primitive. The second by cutting the part then stretching with scale tool, make the hole bigger with the negative part. Hope to see a new video soon.
Hi there, I just subscribed to your channel after viewing this video and apparently have an issue with successfully making the file ready to be modified. After following your instructions to the point of "Creating a Solid", I appear to run into trouble. I see "Solid" in brackets after the File Name. After I "Refine Shape". I see the following message in Report view -. "Recompute failed! Please check report view". This happened about five times in a row. Most recently I failed to get the Error Message BUT as in all previous attempts, the excessive Triangles remained. I'm using FreeCad Ver 0.20.2
Hi Randy...I'm sorry you're having issues. As I mentioned in the video, the technique I'm using unfortunately doesn't always work well with every model. Converting an STL to an editable object does sometimes fail. If you give me a link to the STL I'll be happy to try it on my end to see if I can get it to work. RG
@@CreatewithTech Thanks for your rapid response, with this being a 7-month-old video, one can never be certain of the response. I understand your "Disclaimer" - with greater complexity the chances of success diminish. That being said, I see this as a rather simple file from Thingiverse - it's an extension bracket to relocate the filament reel on a Creality 3 V2 printer. I simply wanted to widen the base for greater stability and easier access to the hardware, Thanks in advance from a fellow Canuk. The Thingiverse file is posted below. Ender_3_Filament_Spool_Holder_Adaptor_v01_2948891
Ok, so everyone else has obviously watched something about setting up FreeCAD that I've missed and can't find. I've just downloaded FreeCAD and opened it stock standard. First of all your video shows a FreeCAD with a lot more icons than mine, and when I click New under File menu, I don't get a screen saying Select Features and there is no option to create a new block nor a new sketch. So, within 2 minutes of watching your video I'm stumped.
Hello @dennisbartlett7005...I'm sorry about the confusion. FreeCAD is set up with different work benches, depending on what you want to design. When you first download and open the application it will open with the "Start" work bench. You can see this at the very top field where it says "Start". The field is a pull down menu that reveals all the other work benches available to you. If you're designing for 3D printing you'll typically be using the "Part Design" work bench. Choose that and you'll see how the menu changes and you'll get all the icons. At this point you can go to File>New and choose that. At this point you'll see the option in the panel below to Create body and then Create sketch. I hope this helps. RG
Thanks for the comment. I very clearly show how to go from Part Design to Part by going to the Workbench pull down menu and changing from one Workbench to the other. I'm not sure how I could have been clearer. I do agree that I didn't go into a detailed explanation of how FreeCAD is made up of different Workbenches, but that was beyond the scope of this particular video. RG
This video was incredibly unhelpful. The only valid sentence was: chances are you cannot do it. This was the my first and last visit on this channel, going back to mangojelly. The conversion goes like this: mesh->shell>solid->boolean This can fail on every stage. If you delete the previous stages, you will have to start over it again. No word about what you can do if the conversion fails. And it fails most of the time. For example: I have an stl. It cannot convert to shell. If I split it in the mesh workbench, then the two components are converted without error to solids. But the two solids do not union. If I try to analyze-repeair them, the mesh does not resemble the original.
I understand that you're frustrated, but that's no reason to be mean and negative. In this video I try to be as helpful and honest as I can about what can and can't be done. Unfortunately converting an STL to an editable body is hit and miss at the best of time. There are many factors at play and as you've discovered it often doesn't work well. In general, the more complex the model, the less likely it is to succeed. Again, there's no reason to be on the attack, as this video is not clickbait nor am I trying to deceive you in any way. I'm trying my best to add something of value to the maker community. Mangojelly is incredibly knowledgeable (I learn a lot from him myself) so if you can find a better solution to the problem on his channel I encourage you to do so. Thanks!
@@CreatewithTech I am sorry. I was way too hostile. I have spent hours to get a recipe on how to import stl into freecad. No video tried to give a complete answer to this. After the 10th video 99% of the video was redundant. I had to pick up bits and pieces. So I came to the decision, that they either can not compile this information, or they do not want it. First is incompetence, second is intellectual dick-swinging. And you were the 32th of them. So all that came to you. So far I have come up with what I can try. Import the stl. On mesh wb analyze /repair On mesh wb split apart. create shell make solid refine shape union the components Except for the first, every step failed for me at least once or distort the model. Mangojelly tried to import a real stl. Not to find one that is easy. Your video is not about importing and editing it, but editing it if you can import it. It is like a video on "how to get rich, and spend money".
@@tarhelytarhely5662 I understand. What kind of STL model are you trying to convert? Can you show it to me? The reason RUclips videos typically use simple STL files as examples is because it's virtually impossible to get complex ones to work. Anyway, if you have a link to the STL file you're working with I'd like to see it. RG
Hello, i love this video, i have one question. how do i make a project wider and taller???? would love to see a video on the styeps if possible. thanks again.
WOW very well done. Finally, someone that goes step by step at a normal speed so an old man like me can follow the lesson. Thank you very much.
Man I've been messing with Freecad all morning trying to join two solids, this method while not super accurate is perfect for what I'm trying to do!
This was another incredibly helpful video for me. You have an amazing ability to explain things in a way I can actually use without tossing around technical jargon I'd only know if I'd been in the industry for years. THANK YOU!!!! Part complete and printing!!!!!
This was a extremely great way to go about the CAD designing and changing the STL all the way to the body seems like it could be simpler I am not sure why the software cant directly convert it but you did a really good job at showing how to do it.
Thanks. I was looking for something simple and your first 6 minutes are exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Amazing tutorial. So great, the way you explain everything step by step. Also like how you showed the copy/clone function. Thank you very much!
Heh, i always did 2 steps, and worked with "triangles"...
this Refine Shape will change everything
Thanks.
Thanks for this, I immediately downloaded freeCAD. I do not see you dealing with a problem I regularly have where the slicer sees two objects in the same place and creates an absence of material in the overlaps. 1+1 = 0 in the slicer world.
bloody el mhahhhnnn.... These videos are some of the best ...so simple the way you explain
I appreciated your "3-second" wait so much that I subscribed! Great explanation of a hard-to-grasp process for this old white guy!
thanks for sharing pops! that was good!
Brilliant video, so clear and so useful. Thank you.
Well done and thank you so much for this!
great explanation, going to try it out
I thoroughly enjoyed this
Awesome video, helped me alot thank you!
RG your videos have been very helpful in my start within 3D printing. Could you possibly do a beginners guide to setting up Cura and explain which slicer you prefer and why?
Hi Phil...I'm glad you find my videos helpful in your 3D printing journey. Interestingly I've been thinking of doing a video on setting up a slicer profile and which slicer I like to use. I started with Cura and now I use both Cura and PrusaSlicer. I will be working on a video on Slicers soon. RG
Blender 3D can edit STL files. Import STL file into Blender3D. Go into Edit Mode. Select points at the top of the posts and move them up. Select points at ends of rectangles and move them. Export model to new STL file.
You are very good teacher.!!!
Thank you very much. I appreciate that. RG
Hi, thx for this video. I was wondering why you didn't use external constraints for your sketch to attach the sketch to the original model. Is the 3D model produced from the the .stl file not work with the external attachment tool? Also I noted that you didn't fuse your extensions to the original model, which is interesting as it indicates the slicing sw has no issues with solids conflicting in the same space. Finally I was wondering why you didn't use the rectangular array tool and make all the copies in one shot?
Thanks again for this video I learned a couple of things.
Thanks.
What software would you recommend for more complex applications?
man, this was a tutorial!
thankyou thankyou thankyou
Can you make an STL into a sketch? Once I make the mesh to a solid, then refine the image, I end up with a nice solid, but I can't figure out how to make it so that I can constraint the lines to add the dimensions and end up with a working sketch. This way I can put the dimensions into a spreadsheet and make the part parametric. Can you help?
Hi @tonyp4894...as far as I know this can't be done. The only way you'd be able to get a sketch is by bringing the STL into FreeCAD and tracing it. Depending on the model this can be a bit of a task, but not impossible. But generating a parametric sketch out of an STL isn't really possible as far as I know. That would be quite an amazing feature though. RG
and im going to speed this video to 1.25% speed
Ok
This is a great video. Unfortunately the program has updated, so most of this doesn't count anymore. I spent an hour trying to figure it out, and just can't. Appreciate the video tho.
Hi Sandra...thank you for your kind words. It's appreciated. I'm sorry that the video didn't help you much. Which part were you having an issue with? If you encountered a problem converting an STL into a solid the truth is it doesn't always work well, regardless of the CAD application. Whether it works or not depends on the complexity of the STL. The simpler the model the better. Also, which version of FreeCAD were you using? In the video I believe I was using the Realthunder version which is optimized more for this kind of stuff, although the official release should be able to do it as well. Anyway, hopefully you'll find a way to accomplish what you need to. Thanks. RG
Does this work in Fusion? I tried, but most parts were missing after converting
.
Hello...I haven't tried this in Fusion. This kind of conversion is hit and miss unfortunately. Whether it'll work or not really depends on the model that you're trying to convert. It just won't work with a complex model. RG
I followed your steps and I was able to import an STL and then I added text to the model. When I tried to export it even though I can see the text on the model in FREECAD I can't see it when I load the model into CURA.. Under model solid I have a body, then a base feature and two shapestrings.. The text is maped onto the face of the model and it looks perfect in Freecad.. Just looking for some advice... HELP?
Did you PAD the text after applying it to the model? If you put the text on the body, but didn't PAD it you won't be able to see it when bringing it into CURA. RG
@@CreatewithTech I extruded the text in PART. I didn't pad the text in part designer.
@@CreatewithTech I did.. I did the PAD after applying it to the model.. So what should be the correct sequence/operation to apply text to a model I imported as an STL?
@@charlesdix4831 You would apply the text after you create a body...so after this point in the video: 11:50
@@CreatewithTech Thank you.. One more question please.. If I have a STEP file of the object do I follow the same process you have indicated for adding text?
Hi thanks for the video. I see it's 2 years old and things may be different now. I also understand the two examples are used to show the principles involved. However it could make for an interesting new video to show how both these examples could be achieved in the slicer. At least I know it's possible in bambu studio. The first example by add part or add primitive. The second by cutting the part then stretching with scale tool, make the hole bigger with the negative part.
Hope to see a new video soon.
Hi there, I just subscribed to your channel after viewing this video and apparently have an issue with successfully making the file ready to be modified. After following your instructions to the point of "Creating a Solid", I appear to run into trouble. I see "Solid" in brackets after the File Name. After I "Refine Shape". I see the following message in Report view -. "Recompute failed! Please check report view".
This happened about five times in a row. Most recently I failed to get the Error Message BUT as in all previous attempts, the excessive Triangles remained.
I'm using FreeCad Ver 0.20.2
Hi Randy...I'm sorry you're having issues. As I mentioned in the video, the technique I'm using unfortunately doesn't always work well with every model. Converting an STL to an editable object does sometimes fail. If you give me a link to the STL I'll be happy to try it on my end to see if I can get it to work. RG
@@CreatewithTech Thanks for your rapid response, with this being a 7-month-old video, one can never be certain of the response. I understand your "Disclaimer" - with greater complexity the chances of success diminish. That being said, I see this as a rather simple file from Thingiverse - it's an extension bracket to relocate the filament reel on a Creality 3 V2 printer. I simply wanted to widen the base for greater stability and easier access to the hardware, Thanks in advance from a fellow Canuk.
The Thingiverse file is posted below.
Ender_3_Filament_Spool_Holder_Adaptor_v01_2948891
just down loaded it and i opened it and it gives me an unnamed file/folder, how do i get it to give me the options for body?
Did you follow the instructions step by step? Where in the process did it give you the error?
Ok, so everyone else has obviously watched something about setting up FreeCAD that I've missed and can't find. I've just downloaded FreeCAD and opened it stock standard. First of all your video shows a FreeCAD with a lot more icons than mine, and when I click New under File menu, I don't get a screen saying Select Features and there is no option to create a new block nor a new sketch. So, within 2 minutes of watching your video I'm stumped.
Hello @dennisbartlett7005...I'm sorry about the confusion. FreeCAD is set up with different work benches, depending on what you want to design. When you first download and open the application it will open with the "Start" work bench. You can see this at the very top field where it says "Start". The field is a pull down menu that reveals all the other work benches available to you. If you're designing for 3D printing you'll typically be using the "Part Design" work bench. Choose that and you'll see how the menu changes and you'll get all the icons. At this point you can go to File>New and choose that. At this point you'll see the option in the panel below to Create body and then Create sketch. I hope this helps. RG
can you share the new 🐊 file with us ☺️
Yes, I can do that. I'll set that up shortly. Thanks. RG
My apologies for taking some time to post the stl files. Trying to figure out the best way to do this on RUclips. Thanks. RG
No problem 👍
Tis just that the kids also have seen your hanger and they liked it so much, that i promised it.
☺️🤗
You forgot to tell people how to get to the Part Workbench. Your tutorial assumes everyone knows how to get there.
Thanks for the comment. I very clearly show how to go from Part Design to Part by going to the Workbench pull down menu and changing from one Workbench to the other. I'm not sure how I could have been clearer. I do agree that I didn't go into a detailed explanation of how FreeCAD is made up of different Workbenches, but that was beyond the scope of this particular video. RG
Excellent tutorial 👏. Do you have the link to the wire organizer stl? Searched printables and thingiverse without fibding the stl .
@@CreatewithTech you didn't show it. Reply again with a time so I can see, please
@@Joeteck Hi there....you can find the place where I move from Part Design to Part at 9:42
This video was incredibly unhelpful. The only valid sentence was: chances are you cannot do it. This was the my first and last visit on this channel, going back to mangojelly.
The conversion goes like this: mesh->shell>solid->boolean
This can fail on every stage. If you delete the previous stages, you will have to start over it again.
No word about what you can do if the conversion fails.
And it fails most of the time.
For example:
I have an stl. It cannot convert to shell. If I split it in the mesh workbench, then the two components are converted without error to solids. But the two solids do not union. If I try to analyze-repeair them, the mesh does not resemble the original.
I understand that you're frustrated, but that's no reason to be mean and negative. In this video I try to be as helpful and honest as I can about what can and can't be done. Unfortunately converting an STL to an editable body is hit and miss at the best of time. There are many factors at play and as you've discovered it often doesn't work well. In general, the more complex the model, the less likely it is to succeed. Again, there's no reason to be on the attack, as this video is not clickbait nor am I trying to deceive you in any way. I'm trying my best to add something of value to the maker community. Mangojelly is incredibly knowledgeable (I learn a lot from him myself) so if you can find a better solution to the problem on his channel I encourage you to do so. Thanks!
@@CreatewithTech I am sorry. I was way too hostile.
I have spent hours to get a recipe on how to import stl into freecad. No video tried to give a complete answer to this.
After the 10th video 99% of the video was redundant. I had to pick up bits and pieces.
So I came to the decision, that they either can not compile this information, or they do not want it. First is incompetence, second is intellectual dick-swinging.
And you were the 32th of them. So all that came to you.
So far I have come up with what I can try.
Import the stl.
On mesh wb analyze /repair
On mesh wb split apart.
create shell
make solid
refine shape
union the components
Except for the first, every step failed for me at least once or distort the model.
Mangojelly tried to import a real stl. Not to find one that is easy.
Your video is not about importing and editing it, but editing it if you can import it. It is like a video on "how to get rich, and spend money".
@@tarhelytarhely5662 I understand. What kind of STL model are you trying to convert? Can you show it to me? The reason RUclips videos typically use simple STL files as examples is because it's virtually impossible to get complex ones to work. Anyway, if you have a link to the STL file you're working with I'd like to see it. RG
The best way is to pay for a sketchup license and forget about freecad
Not everyone has $$$$$$
Speed video to x2
Hello, i love this video, i have one question. how do i make a project wider and taller???? would love to see a video on the styeps if possible. thanks again.