Mesh Import

Other languages:

Menu location
Mesh Import
Meshes → Import mesh...
Workbenches
Mesh
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
-
See also
Std Import, Std Open, Import Export

Description

The Mesh Import command imports geometry from a mesh file format into the active document. Several file formats are supported. The command creates a non-parametric mesh object, a Mesh Feature.

Usage

There are several ways to invoke the command:
- Press the Import mesh... button.
- Select the Meshes → Import mesh... option from the menu.
- Select the Import mesh... option from the Tree view context menu or 3D view context menu. This option is only available if an existing mesh object has been selected. Note that the selected object is actually not used or modified by the command.
Optionally select the correct file format in the dialog box.
Select a file.
Press the Open button.

Supported file formats

The command supports: stl, ast, bms, obj, off, iv, ply, nas and bdf files. For the NASTRAN (nas/bdf) file format, only GRID, CTRIA3 and CQUAD4 cards are supported.

Preferences

The last used file location is stored: Tools → Edit parameters... → BaseApp → Preferences → General → FileOpenSavePath.

Properties

See: Mesh Feature.

Scripting

See also: FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

To import a mesh file use the insert method of the Mesh module.

import Mesh
Mesh.insert('D:/testfiles/cylinder.stl')

Export

Mesh

Miscellaneous: Import mesh, Export mesh, Create mesh from shape, Regular solid, Unwrap Mesh, Unwrap Face
Modifying: Harmonize normals, Flip normals, Fill holes, Close hole, Add triangle, Remove components, Remove components by hand, Smooth, Refinement, Decimation, Scale

Boolean: Union, Intersection, Difference
Cutting: Cut mesh, Trim mesh, Trim mesh with a plane, Create section from mesh and plane, Cross-sections
Components and segments: Merge, Split by components, Create mesh segments, Create mesh segments from best-fit surfaces

Analyze: Evaluate and repair mesh, Face info, Curvature plot, Curvature info, Check solid mesh, Boundings info
Additional: Import Export Preferences, OpenSCAD Workbench, Mesh Scripting

User documentation

Getting started
Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate

Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
Workbenches: Std Base, Assembly, BIM, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Material, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework

Addons: Addon Manager, External workbenches, Scripting and macros

Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub