Step 4 – Convert Imported File to SolidWorks Features The FeatureManager Design Tree will also indicate that the file has indeed been imported as a solid body. Step 3 – Browse and Import Your Desired Fileīrowse and click on the specific file you want to import. For our case, you need to select ‘Solid Body’. Clicking on it will give you three options – Graphic Body, Solid Body and Surface Body. The moment you do this, you will see a new button pop up which should say ‘Options’. On the right-hand side, you will see the option to change the file type. Then, before you select any file or import anything, you need to change the file type SolidWorks is searching for. Step 2 – Change the File Type or STL and Select Solid Body as Option You will see a window that will let you select the file you want to import into the program. The first step after you have launched the program is to click the ‘Open’ option. So how do you import it as a solid body? Just follow these steps: Step 1 – Click ‘Open’ If your STL files are imported as a graphic body, your options are pretty limited. This is quite important, since the program is a solid modeler, as I have mentioned before. When you sit down to edit an STL file In SolidWorks, the first thing you need to keep in mind is importing the object as a solid. It is a set of principles that are used for the computer and mathematical modeling of three-dimensional objects basically. Now, what does that mean? Solid modelers are generally differentiated from geometric modeling and even computer graphics because of their emphasis on physical fidelity.
The software is what you would call a solid modeler. You can run it on macOS that has an Intel processor but it isn’t officially supported. Here is the thing though, the program is primarily made for the Windows operating system. It is a Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and also a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) program. What even is SolidWorks and how does it work? See what I did there? Well, silly jokes aside, SolidWorks is a software that is published by Dassault Systems. What is SolidWorks?īefore we get into the meat of the article, first I want to address the basics. I will take you on a complete guide on editing STL files in SolidWorks. Only if it were, we all would have loved it. Do that and you should be all set up for success.Īs you may have guessed, things are not quite that simple. The thing to remember is you need to import the STL file as a solid body. It is actually pretty easy if you know the right techniques and steps. Yes, you can most definitely edit STL files in SolidWorks.
This article will give you a very easy to follow guide on how to edit STL files in SolidWorks. But if you have the right tools (and knowledge), editing them is very easy though. STL files are notorious for their handling difficulty.