Hi everyone,
I’m working with a file in Rhino that contains 250 instances of the same object, all created as block instances. The file opens quickly since only one definition is being used. However, when I export to STL, Rhino processes all 250 instances individually, which significantly increases the file size and export time.
Is there a way to export just one instance as STL and then reuse that mesh in other positions — without turning the meshes themselves into blocks?
Export for 3D printing?
Yes for 3d print
Are the parts going to be printed individually or fused with a base or something similar?
You can think of the product as a chain — it follows a repeating pattern, but each part is exactly the same. Still, when exporting to STL, Rhino processes every single instance separately, which increases the export time significantly.
I think you’ll have to take the time to export.
STL format cannot contain instances.
Can you use another mesh format?
Are there any other file formats that can achieve this behavior?
Anyway, what is the benefit? For printing you’ll have to export everything no matter what…
In theory *.usdz but Rhino can’t do it yet.
I have specific combinations, and the number of these combinations can reach up to 1500. Since these combinations are subject to updates, exporting STL files after every change becomes very time-consuming.
The faster this process can be, the less it disrupts my production workflow.
I don’t know of specific ones.
I think you would have to determine by trial and error which ones can.
Do you print yourself?
Yes, I do the printing myself as part of the production process at the factory.
So I guess no one knows better than you what formats your slicer / print software can import…
I tried a few different formats, but the only ones I found that allow for instancing with meshes so far is DWG / DXF. That’s kind of expected since AutoCAD has had block support for decades.
EDIT … I tried the free versions of CHITUBOX, Prusa Slicer and Ultimaker Cura, none of them import DWG / DXF.
3MF will export and import Blocks and instances. That should work.
Yes it does … I thought I tested that format as well
Can I export the 3MF file as a single part? When I export it as 3MF, the 3D printer software sees each object as a separate part.
Or can I export the 3MF file in a unified form?