Re: My 3D printer software done

Hi Alan,
I tried to convert STL directly to slices but it wasn't worth the
effort. There are some neat Java 3D libraries that can read STL and
the reprap programs seem to be able to do it using them but I couldn't
make sense of it. The Java stuff isn't real well documented on the web.

I'm using Rhino to save the file as slices (SLC format). This file
format is essentially binary and not real well documented. With the
help of Graham and a lot of luck I was able to convert this file into
an ASCII text file (SLC_Reader).

I then read the text file (SLC_Render) using vb.net and GDI+ to plot
and fill these slices. A slice has one or more outlines and zero to
one holes and you have to sort out which is which. After plotting I
output the rendered slices one at a time to the screen or printer.

I seperated the two functions to make development easier.

I'm hoping to get access to the files section so I can post the
compiled programs. Graham has already found some that don't work and I
will try to sort this out in the next couple of days.

Roger

> I'd be interested to hear what you had to do to convert STL files to

slices!

>
> Yes, please post it (or perhaps send me a copy). What language did you
> write it in? I've never worked with STL files.
>
> I just got an old Lexmark printer, maybe I'll take a look at it.