Professor Francis Ha and Professor Andrew Amini
How to convert 3-D CAD files to .STL
All files need to be converted from their file extensions to .stl in order to be printed with the
MakerBot software.
AUTOCAD
1.Click Output > Send panel > Export. At the Command prompt, enter export.
2.In the Export Data dialog box, enter a file name.
3.Under Files of Type, select Lithography (*.stl). Click Save.
4.Select one or more solid objects. All objects must be entirely within the positive XYZ
octant of the world coordinate system
(WCS). That is, their X, Y,
and Z coordinates must be greater than zero. The file extension .stl is automatically
appended to the file name.
AUTODESK INVENTOR
1.Save Copy As
2.Select STL
3.Choose Options > Set to High
4.Enter Filename
5. Format > Binary
units > mm or inches
Resolution > High
5.Save
Professor Francis Ha and Professor Andrew Amini
SOLIDWORKS
The STL translator exports SolidWorks part and assembly documents as STL files. Click:

File > Save As to access STL export options and save the data in .stl format
Bentley MICROSTATION V8
1.File > Export
2.Choose file type STL. A dialog box opens.
3.Set Stroke tolerance to 0.05mm (0.002 in)
4.Select Binary
5.Click Export
6.Enter Filename
7.Click Save
How to operate the MakerBot:
1. Connect the USB cord to the computer where the MakerBot software is at.
Make sure the Power Protector is connected to the power supply then put in
the cord for the power cord of the MakerBot printer. Download the software
online at http://www.makerbot.com/blog/2015/02/06/makerbot-softwaredesktop-3-5-firmware-1-6/
2. After installing the software make sure the file extensions are saved as a
.STL using the instructions above.
3. Open the file from the File->Open to open the .STL file then to alter the
dimensions of the image to print
Professor Francis Ha and Professor Andrew Amini
4. The
performs the scale operation of the image. By clicking on
scale then moving the mouse the image can be scaled manually or you can
click on the scale icon to enter in precise dimensions needed.
5. The
purposes.
eye icon allows the entire drawing to be moved for viewing
6. The
allows the image to be moved in a 2-D manner across the
plane of the image.
7. The
allows the image to be rotated around its base.
Professor Francis Ha and Professor Andrew Amini
8. When going to the settings you can add a RAFT which is a base to hold the
image upon. Adding SUPPORTS allow the image to be held when it is larger
and weights more. The INFILL allows the image to be solidified at the given
percentage. Remember if the INFILL is high then then weight is larger giving
to a longer print time. The layer height is used for determing the thickness of
each layer to be printed. For finer prints the layer should be thinner.
9. When going to the
tab this will generated the weight of the print
along with the print time. The print preview can be selected to examine the
image. Then the print can be started with the start to print.