Product:	MicroStation
	Version:	All
	Environment:	N\A
	Area:	Printing
	Subarea:	N\A

Problem

 

Which data format provides MicroStation for 3D-Printing?

 

Solution

 

MicroStation provides the STL data format for 3D-Printing, which is supported by most 3D-Printer.

 

MicroStation Help

 

Export STL File Dialog

Used to write stereolithography (STL) files from MicroStation surface and solid geometry. STL files are basically lists of triangles.

Opens when you select Export > STL from the File menu. Then select an element or selection set, then specify a file name.

The Export STL command triangulates input geometry using the Facet Parameters settings, then outputs the triangles to an STL file.

3D Printing

MicroStation includes many tools that enable teams to more efficiently create 3D print-ready models.

The following tools are helpful for thickening small parts for 3D printing.

• Solid by Thicken Surface

• Offset Surface

• Thicken Mesh to Volume

The following tools are helpful for fixing inconsistent normals for 3D printing.

• Change Mesh Normal

• Change Surface Normal

The Close Mesh Voids tool can be used to close a mesh element to a volume for 3D printing.

These tools can be used to create closed volumes for 3D printing.

• Extrude Mesh Volume — Can be used to make a closed volume from an open mesh.

• Convert to Solid — Useful when you are trying to close open sides on a closed surface element to create a closed volume.

• Surface by Extrusion — Helpful for filling gaps between elements in a 3D printing model.

There are several tools that you can use to check models to ensure that they are ready for 3D printing.

• Mesh Audit — Useful for making sure mesh elements create a closed volume without gaps.

• Tools from the Measure toolbox — Can be used to check the thickness of small parts to make sure that they will be printable, or to check the dimensions of the base of a part to make sure that it will fit within the 3D printer´s build envelope.

You can export DGN files to file formats required by 3D printing machines.

• Export to STL — Allows you to export the selected element(s) to an .STL file, which is the file type that most 3D printing machines require. This file output does not save color.

• Export to VRML — Allows you to export the selected view to a VRML file, which is a common form of rapid prototyping file that includes color and bitmap information. Use this format to print 3D printing models with color.

These tools can be used to isolate elements or trim models for 3D printing.

• Clip Volume — Allows you to isolate elements prior to trimming models.

• Place Fence — Helpful for selecting part(s) of a model to be trimmed. The Fence Mode “Clip” setting can be used to create a closed element along the cut edge.

• Copy/Move Fence Contents to New File — Helpful for selecting part(s) of a model to be saved in a new file for 3D printing. The Fence Mode “Clip” setting can be used to create a closed element along the cut edge.

 

More information on 3D-printing

 

http://communities.bentley.com/communities/other_communities/bentley_applied_research/w/bentley_applied_research__wiki/3d-printing.aspx

 

 

http://communities.bentley.com/products/microstation/w/microstation__wiki/8898.3d-printing-in-microstation-v8i

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

  

STL Viewer

 

To view the STL data format you can use for example the viewer SolidView 2008.1

 

http://www.solidview.com/