Imported STL Files

[crollison]

(Edit STEP for STL) - too much 3d printing.

Trying to design in Inventor, creating own parts and working with them I can get by, but I'm stuck with imported files. We have opted to build our own drivetrain this year and I'm importing STEP files of 1X2 Stock. How do I import a part and edit it to the correct dimension? This should be simple, but I've battled it for a while and it's beating me. Thanks.

[jee7s]

For simple stock shapes, you're probably better off making a new part, sketching the profile, and extruding to length.

If you really need to cut an imported part, first you'll want to save a copy just in case you need to revert to the original or use the original somewhere else. Then you need to make a 2D sketch on the face for the cut, draw the appropriate profile, then "Extrude -> Cut" the part. Make sure you "Extrude -> Cut" rather than the default "Extrude -> Join". Double check your extents and selected profile. Once you have what you want, accept the preview and your part is modified.

[crollison]

Thanks, as you said, for basic stock it took me far less time to just recreate it.