I’ve .stl files of surfaces (based on biological data) that I would like to convert to more “open” models for visualization and printing.
Essentially, what I want to do is to make a line/tube model instead of a surface/volume.
The question boils down to: can you recommend some software that can convert the edges of polygons into lines, and then use those lines to create a volume around that?
I have software that can display the model with just the edges as lines, but they lack depth and can’t be exported as something printable.
I’m not certain I understand your goal, so allow me to rephrase it and you can advise me if I am correct.
An STL file comprised of polygons have edges which are lines. I don’t believe that there is any conversion involved, but I could be incorrect.
Is it accurate to consider the following?
An STL file of a cube would have 12 edge lines and 6 additional diagonals on the faces. In your conception, would the cube be converted to a series of struts of some arbitrary diameter, becoming an open cube frame?
Another example of this would be that the cube would be changed from a folded paper model to one constructed of dowels.
Is that a fair interpretation of your objective?
If so, I found this result from a rather hasty search:
The third animation shows a cube with cylindrical edges and no face diagonals either, but that’s likely due to the source material.
You’re welcome. I figured that Blender would be capable of doing as you require. The link I provided may not be the best solution, but the Blender community is quite large and supportive. If that link doesn’t work, someone else has the right answer.
Someone familiar with Fusion 360 or Solidworks can do this pretty nicely even with very complex biologic data models. Import the STL and delete the faces but keep the edges, then use them as guides for extrusions and lofts as needed to simulate a biological structure for visualization and analysis. This would give you really good models designed to both represent the data and with maximum ability to make printable cleanly, would not be a simple click and done process though.
