3D Printing

How to convert an xyz file to an stl for 3D printing

Manual created by Alec Bigness

First off, I would check this link http://fabacademy.org/archives/2014/tutorials/pointcloudToSTL.html

In case this link does not work, the directions are below.

This did require me to download MeshLab, but it is available on the Ubuntu Software Center and is very easy to download and use. Most importantly, it is free.

1. Start MeshLab.

2. File -> Import Mesh.

3. Select the *.XYZ file.

***** This step did not work for me. I was able to import a PDB file extension for a protein to print. I followed the rest of the steps accordingly, but it is important to note that importing an xyz file was troublesome and the program seems to favor pdb format. ****

4. Click on Filters -> Normals, Curvatures and Orientation -> Compute Normals for Point Sets.

• As stated, this function is good for meshing without exploiting the triangle connectivity and is useful for datasets without faces. The 10 represents the number of points used to estimate the tangent plane at each point set. From this, normals are calculated for the mesh. In my lab experience, 10 neighbors is a good number.

5. Click Apply to begin computing. This may take a little time.

6. Click Filters -> Remeshing, Simplification and Reconstruction -> Surface Reconstruction: Poisson. Poisson is a common surface reconstruction algorithm. It takes the normals from each point to calculate the surface. The parameters I used in this example are below. Play around with the numbers. NOTE: If the Octree Depth is large, it may crash your computer.

7. Click Apply, again the computer is working overtime and calculating many equations so it may take some time.

• Show flat lines by pressing the icon on the toolbar.

***Now you export to stl format****

8. File -> Export Mesh as STL File