What import/export file formats does MOI support?

Hi Involute, MoI version 2 supports import and export of CAD surfaces/solids with 3DM, STP, IGS, and SAT formats, and also can import and export 2D curves with AI format.

MoI also supports exporting polygon mesh data to OBJ, LWO, STL, 3DS, FBX, and SKP formats.

- Michael

I suppose I would throw "Curves" in the CAD import/export explanation also.

Yup good point Burr - curve data for import/export is also supported for 3DM, IGS, STP, and SAT formats as well, not just surfaces and solids.

- Michael

So if I want to get my design fab'd at Shapeways or Ponoko, which both support STL, I'd use the STL export format? Do you know of other users' experience with this workflow (MoI -> 3D printing service)?

Hi Involute.. I've used shapeways. It works pretty good. You would be best served to switch your model to MM before you mesh the STL to send to shapeways.

Hi Involute, yup you would use STL format for sending your model to Shapeways or Ponoko for 3D Printing.

You've also got to make sure your object is a completely closed solid, you can't have just surfaces that don't enclose a volume.

When you select an object there is a type indicator in the upper-right area of the window that shows the properties for the current object, that should read "solid", if it just says "surface" or "joined surface" that means your object is not fully closed and you still have some openings in its skin.

> Do you know of other users' experience with this workflow
> (MoI -> 3D printing service)?

Yeah, there have been quite a few people using MoI for that.

Here are a few previous discussions about that:

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=2984.9
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=4079.1
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3897.1
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3600.1

- Michael

Thanks, BurrMan, but what is MM?

Disregard. I saw in one of your other posts you're referring to millimeters (rather than inches). I've used inches with them in the past with no problems, but perhaps I've just been lucky.

Thanks, Michael. I've noticed all the fine tutorial videos for MoI, but they all seem to either assume some level of familiarity with MoI, or deal with a single specific feature. is there standalone documentation, or introductory tutorials for the rank beginner anywhere (rank beginner with MoI; I currently use SketchUp and Alibre)?

Hi Involute, the regular standalone documentation is here:
http://moi3d.com/2.0/docs/moi_help.htm

And part of that are these tutorial videos:
http://moi3d.com/2.0/docs/tutorials.htm

Those ones go through step by step constructing a few simple models and take time to explain things along the way, they don't assume any existing knowledge of MoI.

- Michael

Hi Involute,

"""""""""""I've used inches with them in the past with no problems, but perhaps I've just been lucky.""""""""""""""

Yeah, it was just a recommendation based on some issues I had. I was having some problems getting some models to load, with a "non-manifold" (Not a solid) report.. Although I was sure my model was manifold.. Researching with shapeways revealed there servers work in MM nativley, and my issues were solved by just uploading the same models in MM's. If you upload other units, their servers are dynamically converting the models, which in my case, was resulting in corrupting my solids... Havnt had any issues since, by using MM's as the unit to upload. FYI.