Netfabb is able to open the stl of the dronebot but seems to only save as a netfabb poject file? anyway to have it save in a different format?

Use the Export menu under the [Part] menu for savings as STL.  -- ggunners

Netfabb is able to open the stl of the dronebot but seems to only save as a netfabb poject file? anyway to have it save in a different format?

Not save, but export, if you right click the object on the right windows pane, you'll be prompted to select a format.  It can save objects in OBJ, 3DS, STL, etc.  There should be some format in there that you could use.

I haven't tried Netfabb yet but will download it shortly and check it out!

Pirvan, do you know of any converters out there where I could download an stl file and then convert it to something I can modify? 123D seems to only open sat, smb, stp and 123dx files although it can save as an stl...... just can't open them.

Lawsy, I did try the web version of 123D design and I was able to open a few stl files but could not modify them. I guess as Pirvan stated, you cannot modify an stl file..... There is one thing on thingiverse in particular that I would really like to print when I get my printer but so far none of the programs I have tried so far can open it.....

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:62853

Thanks again for all the help. I will try Netfabb and a few other things and let you guys know the results!

Brandon

http://www.123dapp.com/design

Make sure you're logged in with your Autodesk ID, import the STL, save to the cloud, and then open from cloud in the desktop version.

It will treat it differently to geometry you have created yourself and be no where as interactive.

Hello all,
I have been playing with 123D for a while now and I really like the software, very easy to use. Well, I finally have a 3D printer on the way (woohoo!) but I ran into a snag with 123D. It seems as though you can save items as an .stl but you cannot open an .stl........ why on earth would they do this! I found something on thingiverse and downloaded it thinking I would be able to modify it but nope!
Is there a converter out there, maybe some other solid modeler that is easy to use? I want to be able to open .stl files so I can modify them and then save them, print them, etc...... Thanks in advance guys!

Brandon

If you're looking to do simple things like cutting or scaling the STL mesh, then NetFabb will do a fantastic job.  You might also want to look into MeshLab.  But to actually modify  the model, as in changing it's shape and structure, that's going to be really tough, because an STL file doesn't contain the solid objects that made up the original model, rather it's only a hollow shell, a skin, of the entire model. 

The best, and only way to modify a model is to work with it in its original mode, or at least convert it to an editable format like OBJ, DAE, 3DS, SKP, etc, which you can load back into the editor.

Brandon