Tutorial: Convert .stl Mesh to Solid File in Autodesk Inventor


I found today a post from a friend (Nuno) asking how to solve this issue, converting an .stl to solid .ipt.
Then I remembered that I found something in the past regarding this conversion... Yeap! it was in Autodesk Labs
So let me explain with couple of easy steps how this works...
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Step 1:
1. First visit the following link to download the file and install.
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/inventor_meshTwo quick things/tips when you are about to install the addin I believe is good idea to quite Inventor first.
Plus there are some sample files that you can download and convert these to solid just for validation of the tool -
Step 2:
2. After installing open your .stl file as normal
(we are not kids anymore we know how to open a file ;P)
Then right click as shown in the picture and select
"Convert to Base Feature" -
Step 3:
3. The pop up window gives you some options... stick with the solid and you don't have to delete the original if you don't want to...
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Step 4:
4.Voila! According to the pic below it seems that our model is converted to solid...
At least it looks solid to me :P -
Step 5:
Be aware that this conversion it might take some time considering the complexity of the mesh.
I hope to find this usefull as it seems a very rare situation to meet in your ordinary work flow.
However, can be very frustrated by wasting time for something so easy...Good luck and Have fun...