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Converting data/graph into a 3D printable file (.stl or similar)

Tomasz Klos, IPG Photonics
Posted 11 years ago

Hello.

I'm new to here. My name is Tomasz Klos and I'm a R&D Tech at IPG Photonics. I work with fiber-optic/diode lasers. Recently I came up with an idea to have a 3D printed model of a beam profile. I have a file (data) in the excel format that also shows a graph which is a illustration of the beam profile. Now I'm trying to convert that into a 3D model and further convert it to an .stl or similar file that a 3D printer will be able to print.

enter image description here

enter image description here

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POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos
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Hello, I have found several relevant posts here about converting 3D data to stl format for 3D printing. However, I have not seen how to increase the resolution that is used by Mathematica to make the stl file. When I use the standard commands I have seen so far, e.g. "Export["file.stl",obj]", the resolution is far to low for my needs. I should also note that I am using ParametricPlot3D to make my surface. I can easily increase the resolution of that plot using "Mesh" but it has no effect on the stl file created. How can I accomplish that task? Thanks!
POSTED BY: ELIZABETH WETZEL

OK. I got it. Whit small help from software engineer, I got the same result. Also tried a new one from scratch and it works. Thank you very much all for help.

POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

Ok yes this is exactly what I was looking for. That looks amazing. Now as I mentioned again, I'm very new to the Math program so please explain to me how do I execute the program.
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

OK. What about this?

p = ListPlot3D[0.1*Import["~/Desktop/test_2.txt", "TSV"][[2 ;;]], 
  PlotRange -> All, Mesh -> None, PlotStyle -> Red, Axes -> False, 
  Boxed -> False, Filling -> Axis, FillingStyle -> Red]

enter image description here

It exports nicely as stl:

Export["~/Desktop/test.stl", p]

Again, you will have to adapt the path.

Cheers,

M.

PS: The stl file is attached.

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POSTED BY: Marco Thiel

It might also be that you are looking for this:

ListPlot3D[Import["~/Desktop/test_2.txt", "TSV"][[2 ;;]], PlotRange -> All]

enter image description here

You can also get rid of the grid:

ListPlot3D[Import["~/Desktop/test_2.txt", "TSV"][[2 ;;]], Mesh -> None, PlotStyle -> Thickness[250], InterpolationOrder -> 2,PlotRange -> All, Axes -> False, Boxed -> False]

enter image description here

Does this help at all?

Cheers,

Marco

POSTED BY: Marco Thiel

how do i even get the results like you do. I copied the above code to the new file in Math and made sure the source file is on desktop but then what? How do i get the 3d image like you did?

Thanks.
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

I am not sure what the problem is. If the data file is on the Desktop (I am on a Mac so you will need to adapt your path!), you just execute the command I posted and it should work.

You cannot use the "~/Desktop/..." part, because that does not work on Windows. You can use the Insert drop down menu and then File Path and then just pick the file. That should work on Windows, too.

Cheers,

M.
POSTED BY: Marco Thiel

the number of the column and the row is the XY location and then the value of the point itself will be the Z value.

Attachments:
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos
Attachments:
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

This data set contains only one layer; the first one had more of them. I can plot this one, i.e. one layer, like so:

Import["~/Desktop/test_2.txt", "TSV"][[2 ;;]] // ListContourPlot![enter image description here][1]

When I constructed the 3D shape I only plotted one particular contour line. In 2D this works like so:

ListContourPlot[Import["~/Desktop/test_2.txt", "TSV"][[2 ;;]], Contours -> {250}]

enter image description here

The 3D case is similar; you only need to use ListContourPlot3D.

Cheers,

Marco
POSTED BY: Marco Thiel
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos
POSTED BY: Marco Thiel
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos
POSTED BY: Marco Thiel

This:

http://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/176000

might be useful. I have successfully printed these/similar things. This might also be interesting:

http://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/139463

and this

http://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/401983

Cheers,

M.
POSTED BY: Marco Thiel

I'm not sure where to begin, I downloaded trial version of Mathematica. I'm so lost in this program. I'm able to open the data that creates the graph in the Mathematica but have no idea what to do with it next.
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

I'm sorry if I ask some stupid questions but this field I'm getting into to complete this task is new to me. ListPlot3D is that a free software???
POSTED BY: Tomasz Klos

Creating something that can print on a 3D printer is harder than creating a 3D graphic. I would recommend using RegionPlot3D for your purpose. But that's getting ahead of everything

I'm not sure how to interpret that data in your spreadsheet. The first step, I suppose would be to figure out how to plot your data with ListPlot3D (which I am guessing is the function you would use for your data based on the pictures you have)
POSTED BY: Sean Clarke
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