Why am I getting "Supports can only be generated for parts with a valid CAD format" in Inspire 3D Print??

Isaac Ruse

Hi,

My name is Ike and I am a brand new user of Altair software. First, I would like to explore the value of Print3D. We have an EOS M100 printer and I have yet to be able to successfully print a particular demo file I received from EOS. When trying to add support material to the demo .stl file, I get the following error "Supports can only be generated for parts with a valid CAD format".

I am utilizing Inspire 2020.0.1. Any ideas as to why I am getting this error?

I have imported the .stl into Inspire and performed a "save as" using .stmod and .stl formats but continue to receive the same error when trying to add supports to those files. When I try saving the original .stl as other formats such as a parasolid the new file type is not created for some reason...

Thanks!

-Ike

droccaforte

Hi Ike,

Up to the current release 2020.1.1 supports can only be generated on solid not mesh geometry (stl, obj, fem etc..)  In later versions we will generate support generation on mesh models as well.

-If you try importing a step parsolid or CAD file the supports can be generated.

- you can not import a mesh file and just export as a parasolid it will not convert and you will see an error.

 

-If you want to convert the mesh body to CAD.  The current tool that might be useful is the polynurb fit tool this will automap polynurbs over the mesh .  

 

You can then use the polynurb tools to edit the fit and clean up.

 

Supports can be generated on the polynurb body.  It can also be exported in a solid body CAD format if desired such as parasolid.

If you have a model you would like us to look at let me know.

 

Thanks,

 

-Dave