1 Topic by MartinFahrer

  • MartinFahrer
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Topic: Exact size sketchup and .stl

I built a model in sketchup using real dimensions I exported it to STL then when I loaded the model it was tiny.  I am guessing at the size to blow it up as. Has anyone else had this problem?  Is it better to model in Vectorworks and print?

Or is it guess and print?

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: Exact size sketchup and .stl

STL files are unitless.

You probably designed it in inches and RH defaulted to mm. Try scaling my 25.4 in RH.

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3 Reply by MartinFahrer (edited by MartinFahrer 2013-11-12 01:27:28)

  • MartinFahrer
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Re: Exact size sketchup and .stl

My guess was 25  that looked correct.  noted I will make models in mm

Thanks!

4 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Exact size sketchup and .stl

If your going to use sketchup it is best to make your object bigger... say 100X when you first make it then scale it down just before you slice it because sketchup was originally designed for large scaled works(buildings, cities, etc...) the smallest unit it can accurately represent is 1/16 inch, while they have made workarounds in sketchup for this to give you the illusion that it supports smaller units it really does not. The underlying software still has quirks about it and will show up when you are trying to fine tune an object and at various other times just to frustrate you and cause other issues.