Best export file type to convert to CAD

• D

  DCLARS New

  10/5/25, 5:38 PM

  Hi everyone,

  I am doing a whole lot better with this scanner after logging a whole bunch of hours with it. 

  Its actually unbelieveable how well it works when you get used to its features.

  Anyway,  I need to convert to a CAD model as an ebd result.

  I originally used an .stl file and brought it into fusion 360. After fusion choked on it for over an hour, it gave me 

  a step file to use. It didnt seem like the normal .stp files im used to working with. The whole body was black.

  I sent it to my CAD guy who said he couldnt get any dimentions off the file to work with.

  If any of this sound familiar to anyone, your experience would be greatly appriciated.

  So finally my question - Is there a better file option to export as, if I am going to try to convert to a step file??

  For that matter, is there any software out there that can do this that isnt wicked expensive??

  Thanks so much for your time!!

  Derik

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• TM

  Tom Meeks

  10/6/25, 3:16 PM

  @DCLARS I use a free application called FreeCad to convert STL files to STEP.

  https://www.freecad.org/

  It's a very simple process and there is a page that describes the steps.  

  https://grabcad.com/tutorials/how-to-convert-stl-to-step-using-freecad

  With Moment of Inspiration, I find creating a Sub-D file from a .OBJ file works if I have saved the .OBJ in QUAD format at a fairly low poly count.

   

   

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