I obtained the STL model of the human airway tree using 3-D slicer in STL format. Now, I need to convert it into Parasolid or IGES or any other to use it in ANSYS workbench for meshing and analysis.
I am trying to do it in SolidWorks but it is showing error. (Error: STL model has too many surfaces).
Anyone, please help
Dear Khan,
The appropriate method to open, edit and convert mesh files like .stl is to use ScanTo3D plugin in Solidworks.
You can convert your .stl file into a surface or a solid model with this plugin and you can export it by using the default Solidworks save as options and can use it for analysis.
You can also delete or merge mesh areas if you were unable to edit your file because of threshold limit values when you were obtaining your model in 3D Slicer.
Links below will help you to know and learn more about it.
- ScanTo3D Overviev
http://help.solidworks.com/2019/English/SolidWorks/ScanTo3D/c_Scanto3d_overview.htm
- Tutorials and Webinar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrDArDOuVfk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55yR3DfrB4M
Good luck!
Thank you Emre Arı . I saw the video it helped me in some way. So, basically using Scan-to-3D we actually redraw the .stl file model into solidworks model by tracing the geometry. Then we can convert it in parasolid or any other file and can use it for analysis in ANSYS. Did I get it right?
The problem is I have a model of airway tree and it is getting very difficult even after watching the tutorials.
Can you please help me further if possible?
Dear,
Because you have a complex shape, you need first to make it as NURBS model and then you can convert it as IGES or STEP for ANSYS. It is difficult if you do it manually so you need somehow to convert automatically, so please try Geomagic for SolidWorks.
BR
I don't have Geomagic software. I am trying to do it in Solidworks but not able too. I have converted it into solid model but when I am trying to save it in IGES or parasolid, SolidWorks is getting crashed.
Try to use SpaceClaim from ANSYS, there is an option "Convert to Solid" from STL and you can output it as STEP.
Betim Shabani is there any open source software in which we can do the above process?
Yes , you can use also FreeCAD 0.18. There is an option how to convert STL to Solid. Please check the YouTube channel and you can find the procedure.
Shahid Habib Khan yes you got it right. If you already obtained your solid part, please check your Solidworks version and search your crash error report on the web, because some early versions and service packs have exporting bugs.
I think it's better if you try to smooth your volume with Median or Gaussian method using different kernel sizes and standard deviations in 3D Slicer before convert it into STL. This may help you to get better solid model and analysis results.
Betim Shabani This is the tutorial that I am using. 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL6t_lOnyQ0 '
I converted my STL file to step file. Initial stl file size was 3MB. Now, the size of the converted step file is 168MB and when I am again trying to import it in Freecad it is getting stuck at 91%.
It is showing 'Can't convert into solid as shape is not a shell'.
Shahid Habib Khan First, you need to check your STL model if there is any hole or is incorrect in any part of model (you have a lot of free sofwares to do it) and then you can put it in FreeCAD to convert as Solid model. The size of many MB is because your surface is made from triangles and not features as usually we have in solid modeling.
Betim Shabani by using spaceclaim I am able to convert the stl file into solid and is able to import it in fluent design modeler.
Another problem- I have to define the trachea inlet as inlet for simulation and other alveoli ends as outlet but I am not able to select whole trachea as an inlet because it has too many surfaces. I am attaching screenshots for your reference.
How can I select whole surfaces to define them as inlet and outlet? please help.
Shahid Habib Khan So as I told you before, models that are converted directly from STL to solid are with such faces as you get the mesh data from scanner. For a moment the only way is to make it manually as solid model by primitives in any of CAD software otherwise the ANSYS cannot recognize the whole shape that you need.
you can open your model in spaceclaim and then save as to your intended format.
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