how to draw something in autocad to be 3d printed

How CAD files are exported to STL is an important process for authentic building of parts. The step past step process for converting CAD to STL was taken direct from the mentioned companies websites.

STL Definition

STL is the standard file type used by most or all rapid prototyping systems. A STL is a triangulated representation of a 3D CAD model, an example is shown beneath:

Solid examination Facet normal 0 1 0 Outer loop Vertex 0 four 0 Vertex 0.517638 3.93185 0 Vertex 0.5 iii.93185 -0.133975 Endloop Endfacet Endsolid exam

The triangulation of a surface will crusade faceting of the 3D model. The parameters used for outputting a STL volition bear on how much faceting occurs (figure two and 3).

Coarse STL File produces larger triangles, rougher finish

Y'all cannot build the model whatever better or smoother than the STL file, and so if the STL is coarse and faceted, that is what yous can look in the last model.

Fine STL file produces a smoother model

In the CAD package, when exporting to STL, yous may see parameters for chord acme, deviation, angle tolerance, or something similar. These are the parameters that touch on the faceting of the STL. You don't necessarily want to go too modest. The finer the STL the larger the file is in size, which will affect processing time in Insight as well as build time. Below is some information constitute on the Net regarding exporting to STL from diverse CAD packages.

CAD to STL Conversion

Listed below are the steps for creating an STL file from dissimilar CAD systems. The list is ordered alphabetically by product.

Note: Please consult your user'due south guide or the software developers for more information or technical support. If your CAD software is not listed below, please contact your CAD software technical support for information almost exporting to an STL.

3D Studio Max

First check for errors
An STL object must define a complete and closed surface. Utilize
Select an object.
Click Modify
Click More …
Select "STL-Bank check" nether Object-Infinite Modifiers
Select Check
If there are no errors, go on to export the STL file by:
Clicking File>Export
Select "StereoLitho [*.STL]" in Relieve as type
Select location in Save in
Enter a proper name in File name
Click Save; OK
Export To STL dialog:
Object Proper name: Enter a name for the object yous want to salvage in STL format.
Binary/ASCII: Choose whether the STL output file will be binary or ASCII (character) data. ASCII STL files are much larger than binary STL files.
Selected Merely: Exports just objects that you selected in the 3D Studio scene.

Alibre

File
Export
Relieve As > STL
Enter File Name
Save

AutoCAD

Click Output > Transport panel > Consign. At the Command prompt, enter export.
In the Export Information dialog box, enter a file proper name.
Under Files of Blazon, select Lithography (*.stl). Click Salve.
Select one or more solid objects. All objects must be entirely within the positive XYZ octant of the world coordinate system (WCS). That is, their 10, Y, and Z coordinates must be greater than aught. The file extension .stl is automatically appended to the file name.

Autodesk Inventor

Save Copy As
Select STL
Cull Options > Set to High
Enter Filename
Save

CADKEY

File>Consign>STL
Type a file proper noun and select OK
Modify format to binary
Use default facet tolerance
Additional consign tolerance options are in the Solids99 Configuration window accessed from the Tolerance section of Configuration.

DataCAD

In the File pull-down menu, select Export STL file.
Click Salvage

Deskartes-3D Information Expert

Transfer the data into 3Data Expert through IGES file
Give command Solid/Triangulate in 3Data Proficient
A watertight STL file is generated
Surface accuracy control during the process is easy
To check for a skilful STL file:
Orient surface normals and check for errors with Solid/Repair command

Google SketchUp

Download Sketchup to DXF or STL plugin.
To use the plugin, download the file below (skp_to_dxf.rb) to the Sketchup plugins binder on your reckoner. [VERSION] stands for the Sketchup version number (half-dozen, 7 or 8).
On a Windows PC: If you've installed Sketchup on the C: drive, this folder will be at C:\program files\google\google sketchup [VERSION]\plugins.
On Mac OSX: The sketchup plugins folder is /Library/Awarding Back up/Google SketchUp [VERSION]/SketchUp/Plugins
Subsequently copying this file, start Sketchup. Y'all should at present accept an extra menu choice (Export to DXF or STL) in the Sketchup Tools card.

IronCAD

Select Part Backdrop, then Rendering
Set facet surface smoothing to 150
Select File, then Export
Select .STL

Mechanical Desktop

Apply the AMSTLOUT control to export your STL file.
The following command line options affect the quality of the STL and should be adjusted to produce an acceptable file:
- Angular Tolerance: This control limits the angle between the normals of next triangles. The default setting is 15 degrees. Reducing the angle volition increase the resolution of the STL file.
- Aspect Ratio: This setting controls the height/width ratio of the facets. A setting of 1 would mean the acme of a facet is no greater than its width. The default setting is 0, ignored.
- Surface Tolerance: This setting controls the greatest distance betwixt the edge of a facet and the actual geometry. A setting of 0.0000 causes this choice to be ignored.
- Vertex Spacing: This pick controls the length of the edge of a facet. The default setting is 0.0000, ignored.

Pro East / Creo

File > Consign > Model (or File > Salvage a Copy)
Set type to STL
Set chord height to 0. The field will exist replaced by minimum acceptable value.
Fix Angle Control to 1
Choose File Proper noun
OK

Pro Eastward Wildfire

File > Save a Copy > Model
Alter blazon to STL (*.stl)
Set Chord Summit to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum adequate value.
Ready Angle Control to one
OK

Revit

Revit doesn't let direct export to STL files. First salvage in dwg file and open in AutoCAD to create STL files.

Go to 3D view
Go to File menu , select Export CAD format
A dialog box opens
Select Selection
Whorl downwardly the dropdown menu (3D view merely) and select 3D polymesh
Select "AutoCAD 2004 DWG" in Save as blazon
Next, open the saved file AUTO CAD
Enter "Explode" on the command menu
Select the object and press Enter
All the objects are converted into 3D solid
Select a unmarried solid for STL output (must be one solid to consign to STL)
Enter "stlout" or "export" on the command menu
Select objects: Use an object choice method and press Enter when you lot finish
Create a binary STL file? [Aye/No]: Enter y

Rhinoceros

Open the model blueprint in Rhino.
From the File carte, select Save Every bit. The Relieve dialog box opens.
In the File name box, enter a name for the new STL file.
In the Save as type box, select Stereolithography [*.stl].
Click Salvage.
In the STL Mesh Consign Options dialog box (Unproblematic Controls), set the STL tolerance – the maximum distance allowed between the surface of the design and the polygon mesh of the STL file.
In the Polygon Mesh Detailed Options dialog box, gear up the STL tolerance in the field labeled Maximum altitude, edge to surface
Click OK.
In the STL Consign Options dialog box, set the file type every bit Binary and click OK.

Notation: In social club to build on additive manufacturing technologies, STL files must contain completely closed (watertight) polygon mesh objects. Refer to Rhino'southward STL help for more information.

SolidEdge

File > Save Equally
Fix Salvage Every bit Type to STL
Options
Prepare Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in or 0.0254mm
Set Surface Airplane Angle to 45.00
Save

SOLIDWORKS

File > Relieve As
Prepare Save As Type to STL
Options > Resolution > Fine > OK
Salvage

NOTE: More detailed STL conversion steps for SOLIDWORKS are available »

Think3

File>Salve As
Set Salvage As Type to STL
Salve

UGS NX vi

File > Export > STL
Prepare Output type to Binary
Prepare Triangle Tolerance to 0.001
Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.001
Set Auto Normal Gen to On
Gear up Normal Brandish to Off
Set Triangle Display to Off

Unigraphics

File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
Ready output type to binary
Set triangle tolerance to 0.0025
Set adjacency tolerance to 0.12
Set auto normal gen to on
Set normal display to off
Prepare triangle brandish to on

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Source: https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2019/06/cad-to-stl-for-3d-printing/