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Topic: STL way too small in Repetier Host

I am trying to print something that needs to be EXACTLY the same size as the exported Blender .STL -- I made sure that I exported it in METRIC and measured it in blender to fit perfectly within the build volume of my Solidoodle 2. When I load the .STL after NetFabb repair, it's EXTREMELY SMALL (other STL's from Thingiverse have the same problem) and I have to use the scale function to even be able to see it. I've heard other people have the same problem but can't seem to locate a solution. I imagine that if I export a file that is "12.7cm x 12.7cm x 12.7cm" from Blender, that I should be able to print it in the same exact dimensions without having to rigidly scale it up to an approximated size. Please help!

2 (edited by ronsii 2013-12-04 05:02:42)

Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

usually just go to the 'object placement' tab in RH and in the 'scale' fields put a 25.4 in each X,Y and Z positions.

of course you have to have that object selected in the list.

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

There are many metric units. RH expects millimeters.

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

elmoret wrote:

There are many metric units. RH expects millimeters.

+1 try scaling by 100 or 1000

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Try exporting in mm from Blender; not cm...

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Ok thanks guys, I'll do that!

7 (edited by EvilPrinter 2013-12-05 06:52:24)

Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

I'm getting a problem when I try to use NetFabb's online conversion tool (using it because the app seems buggy with exports). It only let's me upload with the "inches" option selected. If I select 'mm' I get an e-mail telling me that the file is too small and I'm sure that it's not... I don't know how to export in MM from blender. I just have it set to "metric" as I assumed RH would be able to figure it out in those terms. I tried the 25.4 x 25.4 x  25.4 and that seems to work, but for the future, I would like to be able to just upload the file without screwing with scaling. Thanks everyone for the assistance!

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Blender does not deal in inches/metric/photon/etc... it deals in BU's which are Blender Units you can call them anything you want but like most 3d/cad programs around they have a mind of their own when it comes to scaling wink and it is far simpler to just do the scale fix at the end... once.

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Problem is, I can't be sure that what I'm about to print is the right size.. I did some printing, then whipped out my tape measurer and think I'm getting a print that's a bit small.. Blender actually does have a metric option to my surprise.. I used it to scale my android up to the right physical dimensions. My problem is when I import it into RH I can't ensure that the print will indeed be the proper scale. Netfabb's online conversion isn't helping either... I'm going to try to generate G-Code of the repaired STL from Netfabb (inches) in Skeinforge, and see if I can get RH to give me the metrics I'm looking for. (FYI, I'm building an android about 5 1/2 ft. tall, similar to inMoov and all the pieces must fit together as I'm creating a mold to give the android rubber silicone skin.

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Have you checked calibration on the SD printer itself just using a hand g coded file and a micrometer?

the blender export thing is kinda fake... as it just applies a multiplier in the file not much different than putting the multiplier in RH

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

I don't know how to check the calibration... and what's a micrometer? Question, how did you come up with the 25.4 scale bit? That seems to be nearest to the right scale just eyeballing it... God I wish this weren't such a difficult situation.. I think the problem lies with Blender.. Netfabb says the file is too small  when I try to upload in mm, and when I load it into RH it also appears to be incredibly small until scaled up.. Thanks alot blender... Anyway, I'm curious, how did you come up with that 25.4 XXX bit ronsii?

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

1 inch = 25.4mm.

13 (edited by EvilPrinter 2013-12-06 06:26:04)

Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Hey, did I tell you that I love you guys...?

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Re: STL way too small in Repetier Host

Hi,

I had the same scaling issue...(The imported STL file was 1/10th of the actual size).
You can check the size of your imported item in RH by using the 'Object Information' button (its the 'i' icon that you can see above the part list)
I rescaled by a factor 10 and presto ;-)
Cheers!