[Other] .STL face splitting tool

vbchris · December 6, 2017, 18:53

UPDATE 2: Now runs fast.
UPDATE 1: Made more verbose and significantly improved performance.

Hi all,

I hacked together a program that I use for splitting .STL files into different faces. I've seen a few threads on the forum that essentially have the same issue I had and would like to share this program for feedback.

If anyone knows of a better method please let me know!! This is the bane of my meshing existance.

There are a number of features that are in development but which are not currently included.

Objective:

Create a simple command line tool which automatically identifies faces in a .stl file and splits the solid into individual components.

Secondary objective, pre-process .STL file prior to use by snappyHexMesh to check for common quality issues, grid alignment with surfaces, water-tightness, etc.

How to:

Github link -> https://github.com/vbchrist/stlFaceFinder

Download stlFaceFinder.exe

Currently windows 32-bit only (which works on 64-bit too).

Use windows command promt to run from command line.

stlFaceFinder.exe [inputFile] [outputFile]

[inputFile] = either local file or complete file path (validation of file not done) [outputFile] = either local file or complete file path (will overwrite files without warning)

Example:

Download pipe.STL (from this repo) and place it in the directory of stlFaceFinder.exe. Open windows command promt or power shell. change directory to where stlFaceFinder.exe and pipe.stl are located.

Run the program using

stlFaceFinder.exe pipe.STL output.STL

The output should be,

C:\path\to\files> ./stlFaceFinder.exe wier.STL release.stl

Importing C:\path\to\files\wier.STL... Done.

6162 facets in file.

Generating edge list ... Sorting edges ... Done. (1.50148)

Matching facets ... Done.

Successfully matched 18486 of 18486 facet edges.

Doing setup ... Done.

Searching for surfaces ... Done.

Assigning new surfaces to STL solids ... Done.

Writing to C:\path\to\files\release.stl... Done.

Tobi · January 22, 2018, 18:12

I moved it to the contributors forum. However, is there a linux based version too?

LuckyTran · March 27, 2018, 00:19

I get the missing MSVCP140D.dll error.

However, I have tried MS VS C++ redist 2015 & 2017, x86 and x64 and it is not still not detected. Seems to be a build error.

December 6, 2017, 18:53	.STL face splitting tool	#1
vbchris Member Chris L Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 13	UPDATE 2: Now runs fast. UPDATE 1: Made more verbose and significantly improved performance. Hi all, I hacked together a program that I use for splitting .STL files into different faces. I've seen a few threads on the forum that essentially have the same issue I had and would like to share this program for feedback. If anyone knows of a better method please let me know!! This is the bane of my meshing existance. There are a number of features that are in development but which are not currently included. Objective: Create a simple command line tool which automatically identifies faces in a .stl file and splits the solid into individual components. Secondary objective, pre-process .STL file prior to use by snappyHexMesh to check for common quality issues, grid alignment with surfaces, water-tightness, etc. How to: Github link -> https://github.com/vbchrist/stlFaceFinder Download stlFaceFinder.exe Currently windows 32-bit only (which works on 64-bit too). Use windows command promt to run from command line. stlFaceFinder.exe [inputFile] [outputFile] [inputFile] = either local file or complete file path (validation of file not done) [outputFile] = either local file or complete file path (will overwrite files without warning) Example: Download pipe.STL (from this repo) and place it in the directory of stlFaceFinder.exe. Open windows command promt or power shell. change directory to where stlFaceFinder.exe and pipe.stl are located. Run the program using stlFaceFinder.exe pipe.STL output.STL The output should be, C:\path\to\files> ./stlFaceFinder.exe wier.STL release.stl Importing C:\path\to\files\wier.STL... Done. 6162 facets in file. Generating edge list ... Sorting edges ... Done. (1.50148) Matching facets ... Done. Successfully matched 18486 of 18486 facet edges. Doing setup ... Done. Searching for surfaces ... Done. Assigning new surfaces to STL solids ... Done. Writing to C:\path\to\files\release.stl... Done. Last edited by Tobi; January 22, 2018 at 18:13.

January 22, 2018, 18:12		#2
Tobi Super Moderator Tobias Holzmann Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tussenhausen Posts: 2,708 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 51	I moved it to the contributors forum. However, is there a linux based version too? __________________ Keep foaming, Tobias Holzmann

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[Other] mesh airfoil NACA0012	anand_30	OpenFOAM Meshing & Mesh Conversion	13	March 7, 2022 17:22
[ANSYS Meshing] Workbench Meshing Tool - Max Face Size Parameter	MaxHeat	ANSYS Meshing & Geometry	3	March 2, 2021 07:50
how to set periodic boundary conditions	Ganesh	FLUENT	15	November 18, 2020 06:09
[blockMesh] Internal walls of zero thickness	anger	OpenFOAM Meshing & Mesh Conversion	23	February 6, 2020 18:25
[blockMesh] BlockMeshmergePatchPairs	hjasak	OpenFOAM Meshing & Mesh Conversion	11	August 15, 2008 07:36

March 27, 2018, 00:19		#3
LuckyTran Senior Member Lucky Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 5,674 Rep Power: 65	I get the missing MSVCP140D.dll error. However, I have tried MS VS C++ redist 2015 & 2017, x86 and x64 and it is not still not detected. Seems to be a build error.