save a copy as STL is not available

Hello,

In Pro engineer Wildfire, we opened a STEP file, which we tried to save
as an STL. However, we noticed some of the parts were missing.
Upon opening these parts individually, we noticed that under "File -
Save a Copy", the STL format is not available.

We have no idea why for certain files the Save a Copy as STL is
available and for others it is not.

The problem is we don't have any experience with Pro Engineer (our Pro
Engineer guy left), we just use it to view STP files and export them to
STL.

Does anybody know why saving as STL is not available (perhaps there are
many reasons, but if we know the underlying reason, we might be able to
trace the problem ourselves)

Thanks,
Ward

 

Does anybody know why saving as STL is not available (perhaps there are

STL is available for "solid" models only (? closed quilts need not apply?).

 

Jeff,

thanks for the answer.
Indeed, the surface of this parts appear to be 'quilts'.

Is there an easy way to transfer these objects into "solid" models
(e.g. by merging the quilts, or closing the quilts etc.)? Or is that a
stupid question (again, very limited knowled of ProEngineer)

Ward

 

In Pro engineer Wildfire, we opened a STEP file, ...

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Not sure I'm the right guy to answer that. It's not real simple and there
are a lot of variables involved that affect import and repair-ability, few
"one size fit's all" solutions. Not so hard to do once you get the hang of
it, hard to explain, tho'.

Wireframe display; joined quilt edges display as blue, open quilt edges
magenta, solid edges white.

Select the Import Feature, RMB, Edit Definition. Menu: Edit, Feature
Properties. Check Make Solid, Ok.

If there are still open edges try Menu: Geometry, Heal Geometry, Automatic.
This is iffy, but sometimes works well (depends on problems types, surface
types, ...) That failing try doing a Manual Healing; Zip Gaps, etc. Make
Solid before quitting Edit Def mode.

If healing won't do the job then you'll have to resort to creating new
geometry to stitch into the quilt. You can exclude and hide individual
quilts on layers or delete them (to get the offending objects out of the
way).
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If you can't get something working and model size, IP sensitivity issues,
etc. don't preclude doing so you might explain your situation on
mcadcentral.com's Pro/E forum where you can post the data sets. There's
usually someone that's willing to give a problem a whirl. (Let 'em know
what version WF you are using.)

Also wondering if, in the long run, it wouldn't be a better deal to just
ship off the bad one's as STEP or IGES and let them do the STL conversions
or import into a software you are familiar with and work 'em.

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