Supported applications, I could use a little help

Hello,
I'm using Autodessys FormZ for my export to .STL.
Its a breeze!
Kevin

Hello Bart.

TurboCAD is available with 3 "levels" of capability. At the bottom is Deluxe which is what I have. In version V16 only VRML format is available. I speculate that the other formats you list are only available in Pro or Platinum or perhaps, though unlikely, in newer versions.

@KerryOber: hmmm, the information on their website is a bit confusing. I'll contact their customer support and ask them for an update, thanks!

@kcespedes: added, thanks!

Cheers,

Bart

Hi.

Lighwave(now ver 11) supports OBJ export.

CATIA definitely has had VRML97/2 export support for quite awhile. It's how I move models from CATIA to Blender for animations (CATIA -> .wrl -> Blender).

I've updated Lightwave and Catia, thanks!

Bart

BRL-CAD at brlcad.org has a converter to export and import to/from STL.

I've added BRL-CAD, thanks!

Bart

AC3D (https://www.inivis.com/)

It exports a number of different formats, .stl and Collada among them, as well as VRML2 and X3D, although I've never had the chance to try the latter. The .dae and .stl exports upload perfectly.

It's a very nice modeling program—easy to use interface, and a good deal of precision. It's what I've done all my work for my shop in.

Pro-Engineer is now known as Creo, and the link for the old Pro-Engineer as listed on your webpage is out of date. Should now be https://www.ptc.com/product/creo/

The default coordinate system in Creo means that Shapeways (and most other STL tools) sees the model incorrectly oriented. This is very easy to correct by creating a new coordinate system for export, rotated -90 degrees around the X axis (screenshot as shown).

When performing the STL export, set the Chord Height and Angle control to zero. (Creo will reset the values to the minimum allowed after you enter zero, that's fine). Also set the Step Size to 1 or perhaps even less, though this can easily cause enormous STL files if not careful. (Example also shown in screenshot attachment).

Hope this helps,
Ian.

Vellum Xenon also has .STL support native.

However, color info seems to be stripped from the model when i reopen from the .STL file. i just tried to download a file i wanted to print in color. am i missing something?

I use Varicad and it can export in 3D STL and 3D STL with sections

http://www.varicad.com

Have yet to try upload a file and get one made though.

Please allow us to upload SketchUp 8 files
a (.skp) file

I just discovered Silo 2 today. This seems to be a good 3D modeling program. It can't render, but has a lot of modeling tools. It exports in several popular formats that ARE on your list. I've exported to .3ds, .obj, and .stl, and then imported those into SimLab Composer Renderer, a rendering program I bought to replace Right Hemisphere Deep Exploration, which SAP has taken away, and will not even acknowledge the queries of former subscribers. SimLab Composer seems to have no problem viewing the aforementioned formats, which suggests to me that Silo 2 does a good job of exporting. I will still have to see how it handles Solidworks files.

I got an ad in email today that offered Silo 2 for $109, but then found that Steam had it for $60 (marked up from $47.95). Only problem is you have to install the Steam interface, and then run the program sort of through it, although Silo 2 saves directly to your harddrive. No middleman needed there.

Ken Hecker

http://store.steampowered.com/app/100400/

Maya has native support of OBJ files. It's not turned on by default, but if you go into the plug-in manager in maya you can turn it on.

Hi,
I didn't see the CAD program NX in the list.
It can convert to STL & VRML.

Regards,
Michel

Siemens NX 8.0.1 for Mac supports STL, and VRML 1 ( static) VRML 2 ( Animated )

Hi there!
For my part i use Poser 9, is it possible to add it to the list?
have a nice day

Hi,

I use Solvespace. An awesome but otherwise little known 3d parametric cad program that is also freeware. You can download it for free at http://solvespace.com/ and it will run directly of a USB stick. Its for windows but I understand it can be run under Linux using Wine.

It exports STL and OBJ from the menu option file-> Export triangle mesh

I use a program called Ultimate Unwrap 3D. https://www.unwrap3d.com.

Ultimate Unwrap 3D supports many file formats, including VRML 2.0, X3D, DAE, STL, and OBJ export.
I have personally tested them all, and they all work successfully for upload to ShapeWays website.

You can find all of these test models under my account.

VRML 2.0 - Textured, YES
X3D - Textured, YES
DAE - Textured, YES
STL - YES (STL format doesn't support textures)
OBJ - YES (OBJ format supports textures, but ShapeWays doesn't read it yet)