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FreeCAD: How to create a solid from meshes?

FreeCAD 0.19

In this section, I will explain how to create a solid from meses (polygon) that were read from STL file. With converting meshes to a solid, you can do boolean operations to the geometry that was defined by mesh.

Fig. Result of boolean operation with a solid that is created from mesh
Result of boolean operation with a solid that is created from mesh

  1. Drag&Drop STL file into 3D view to import geomety. Meshes must not have the hole (manifold).

    Fig. Mesh data
    Mesh data

  2. Switch workbench to Part workbenchPart workbench.

  3. Select the imported meshes on model tree and execute [Part]-[Create shape from mesh...] in menu.

  4. A dialog for setting mesh stitching threshold is shown. Adjust the value according to the mesh size and click OK.

    Fig. Mesh stitching threshold settings
    Mesh stitching threshold settings

  5. By the stitching process, you can get a set of shells.

    Fig. Shell set
    Shell set

  6. Select the set of shells on model tree and execute the shape builderPart_Shapebuilder.

  7. Select [Solid from shell] on the shape builder dialog.

    Switch to model tab and select shell set in model tree. After that, switch to task tab and click Create to create a solid.

    Fig. Shape builder dialog
    Shape builder dialog

    When solid has been created, click Close to finish the dialog.

  8. You can do boolean operation with the created solids as with normal solid.

    MeshToSolid1
    MeshToSolid2

References