Best STL-Export settings in Fusion 360

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1

Hello everyone,

In Fusion 360 you have the option of exporting an STL file. Do you use the default setting “High” or do you use user-defined settings for perfect results in the slicer?

Thank you very much for your support!

2

It depends on the model. Curves are smoother if you make it custom and make it better than the high preset. The highest resolution (1) will make the STL very big and long to load and slice. One relatively simple model was 1GB at the highest custom resolution. For custom, I only adjust the one setting that I saw getting adjusted the most when I changed the presets, I didn’t try the other settings.

I usually will export STEP from Fusion, you usually get the best quality with reasonable file size, but I have had a few instances where the slicer didn’t render it properly and I had to export STL instead.

3

Thanks @SimEyeSee !
Do you have a recommendation for the perfect settings to export STL?

4

I haven’t played around with the settings that much yet. I usually will export STEP first and then inspect it. If I see any defects, then I will use STL. Previously, I never had, or at least never noticed any defects when I used STEP, but recently had a significant defect. You can see it in this post.

So if I am not happy with the STEP, I will right click the body in the components list and save as mesh. I found, at least for my tests, that ASCII is better than Binary.

The Normal Deviation changes the most for the quality presets and the Surface Deviation only changes a small amount. I mostly tried reducing the Normal Deviation further, but haven’t experimented enough with it to recommend a setting.

5

I have been using the default Refinement = High, Format = STL (Binary), Unit Type = Millimeter. The setting works for me.

6

You should compare the binary and ASCII versions. I have found the ASCII version to be smoother in the tests I did.

Usually high has been alright, but I had a model where the curve wasn’t smooth enough so I had to increase the resolution.

7

Aren’t you better off with.3MF?

8

If you just do the export option in Fusion 360, it is like exporting an STL, but not as high resolution as is possible with a custom resolution STL. Also, when importing a STEP, you can make different components in Fusion360 to split up the model into different parts for custom coloring, strength and other slicer settings for individual parts. Exporting the 3mf just exports all the bodies and doesn’t group them into the component names.

9

Hello, noob here, I have NO idea how to start my own thread question so hijacking onto this>

I use Bambu Slicer software and i find it so easy to re-orient STL’s before slicing, that just wont align perfectly in chittu or Lychee or 3D Builder as the original was saved on some stupid angle. But Bambu recognises the various level planes and can quickly orient on them… can I export that as a new STL in the correct orientation from the Bambu Slicer? I have only figured out how to export a g-code file? even exporting as a 3mf would mean being able to make a 3D builder STL after … HELP.

also any help on how to start a thread comment in future would be helpful

10

You get to the trust level required to be able to post.

Get to trust level 1 by…

  • Entering at least 5 topics
  • Reading at least 30 posts
  • Spend a total of 10 minutes reading posts

Hijacking isn’t great as you will not get many responses and it takes the thread off-topic.

I get the frustration, but, the trust levels and the effort to get there is for a reason.

The answer
  • Right-click the model on the build plate when you have it oriented as you want it to be.
  • Select export as STL, choose a location and filename
  • Done
1 Like
11

OMG I really am a noob going to try that now, and yes just reading looking for the answer I was promoted to level 2, so will keep posting and chatting and reading until I can see a start topic option somewhere :slight_smile:

Thank you again

12

You are welcome.

BTW, you are at level 1, not level 2. Level 1 is Basic, you can see this in your badges.

You have to a lot more to get to level 2.

Don’t worry about levels, they will come in time.

13

if you’ll find the time to spend your available time on reading what others has spent their time writing.

14

Ah can’t see levels but I had some message saying I have gone up a trust level…