Export STL file by layer/material

SketchUp
1

I frequently use the SketchupSTL extension to export STL files. But I need to export a model in parts, either grouped by layers or by materials, so that I have separate STL files for each grouping. Does anyone know how to accomplish this? I do it manually, but I would like something more automatic (without diving into writing my own extension, just yet).

2

If this is not possible directly to STL, maybe some other export format that could be converted to many STL files via another tool…

3

The export STL extension options has a checkbox for “Export only current selection” which would mean you would need to export manually part by part, but it would work.

4

Indeed, that’s my current process, hoping for sometime more automatic.

5

A basic by-layer exporter “add-on” which uses the STL Extension would look like this:

module JF
   module ExportStlByLayer

      menu = defined?(JF.menu) ? JF.menu("JF Extensions") : UI.menu("Plugins")
      menu.add_item("Export STL by Layer") { main }

      STL_ASCII  = 'ASCII'.freeze
      STL_BINARY = 'Binary'.freeze

      def self.main
         model = Sketchup.active_model
         faces_array = model.active_entities.grep(Sketchup::Face)
         faces = {}
         faces_array.each {|face|
            faces[face.layer.name] ||= []
            faces[face.layer.name].push(face)
         }
         options = {
            'selection_only' => false,
            'export_units'   => 'Millimeters',
            'stl_format'     => STL_ASCII
         }
         faces.each { |layer_name, entities|
            CommunityExtensions::STL::Exporter.export(
               "C:/Users/Jim/tmp/#{layer_name}.stl",
               entities,
               options
            )
         }
      end

   end
end
1 Like
6

Wow, that is more than I expected! Thanks Jim! So I just have to save that as an .rbz file and manually install it as an extension? Or does this run from the ruby console?

7

The code is not ready to be used as an Extension - it’s just an example. You would likely need to change the export path for one thing. I’m unfortunately out of time for now.

8

OK no worries, I will figure out the rest. Thanks!

9

The code will work if you change the output directory. You’ll just need to put the code in a .rb file, and then put the file in the Plugins folder.

10

Thanks. I managed to encapsulate it in an extension, but much easier to do what you said.

11

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