Fi le > Export > Set STL Options (Part Level)

Use this form to specify options for exported STL files. You can export any combination of b-rep (NURBS) data and STL blocks to a standard STL format. The "positive quadrant" option, ASCII/Binary Modes and selective export via blanked objects are all supported.

1. Complete the form as described below.
   
   
2. Pick OK to accept the current selections as the new defaults or Reset to return all selections to their previous defaults.

STL Export Options Form

• Chord height tessellation tolerance
  Enter the chord height tessellation tolerance for generating the triangulated STL mesh. A smaller value will produce a finer mesh.
  
  
  
  
• Ascii File format
  Specifies that the STL output file will be in ASCII or Binary format. Binary format produces a smaller file size while the ASCII format is more widely used.
  
  
• Translate to positive quadrant
  Specifies that the triangulated mesh within the exported file should be moved to the positive x,y,z quadrant. This is for ease of positioning by the receiving system.
  
  
• Refine Facets to close volume
  Attempt to repair facets along mating seams.
  
  
  CAUTION: This option can take quite some time to complete (possibly hours) depending on part complexity and the chord height tessellation tolerance (see above).
  
  
• Apply Twist Analysis
  The two primary surface properties checked during analysis are curvature and twist. A surface with a large amount of twist may have very little curvature and a different type of analysis is used. An example of a high-twist, low-curvature surface would be a ruled surface created between two lines: with one line parallel to the x axis and the other parallel to the y axis and each lying in a different XY plane.
  
  Twist analysis performs additional analysis to account for twist. In some cases this will result in more data being generated to accurately represent the surface and can increase the calculation time and size of STL files.
  
  
• Maximum Mesh Size
  Use this option to set a maximum mesh size for the STL file. A value less than the current geometry tolerance is ignored. An isoline in each direction of the face (u and v) is calculated and the distance along this isoline is used to determine the maximum mesh size in that direction. See Chord height tessellation tolerance above for an illustration. Also refer to the figures below.
  
  
  
  Sample Geometry to Mesh
  
  
  
  Maximum mesh size = 0.0
  
  
  
  Maximum mesh size = 20.0
  
  
  

Relative Coordinate System

At the Part Level, use this option to export relative to the World or the Local coordinate system. Use the Local Coordinate Frame command to create a local coordinate system of your choice.

Default Directory

This sets the default directory for locating files to import of the specified type. Pick the folder icon to select a path from the Directory Browser. The path will be added to the Default Directory Field. The Default directory field only applies to the active session while VX is running unless it is permanently saved using the Save Settings button on the Import Form.

More about the Default Directory

All import/export translators have their own default-directory on their options form. If the default-directory is set, then the Directory Browser will always come up in that directory. If the default-directory is not set, then the file browser will come up in the "last visited" directory.

Other Options

• OK
  Accept the new settings.
  
  
• Reset
  Restore the previous settings.

1. AutoCAD® Export Options - DWG / DXF (ASCII) / DXF (Binary)
2. General Export Options - CATIA 4 / VX Neutral / SAT / HOOPS
3. Parasolid Export Options
4. IGES Export Options
5. STEP Export Options
6. VRML Export Options
7. Export Objects Filter
8. VDA Export Options
9. Export Command