3D printing export (STL/3MF) in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product engineer at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report showing the number of 3D printable parts exported in STL and 3MF formats over the last 6 months, to understand format preferences and monthly trends.

📊 Data: You have export logs data with columns: ExportDate, PartName, ExportFormat (STL or 3MF), and ExportCount (number of parts exported).

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard showing monthly export counts by format, with a line chart for trends and a summary table.

Sample Data

ExportDate	PartName	ExportFormat	ExportCount
2024-01-15	Gear	STL	10
2024-01-20	Bracket	3MF	5
2024-02-10	Gear	STL	8
2024-02-18	Cover	3MF	7
2024-03-05	Bracket	STL	12
2024-03-22	Cover	3MF	9
2024-04-11	Gear	STL	15
2024-04-25	Bracket	3MF	6
2024-05-14	Cover	STL	11
2024-05-30	Gear	3MF	4
2024-06-08	Bracket	STL	13
2024-06-20	Cover	3MF	10

1

Step 1: Import the export logs data into your BI tool.

Load the table with columns: ExportDate, PartName, ExportFormat, ExportCount.

Expected Result

Data table with 12 rows loaded correctly.

2

Step 2: Create a new calculated column 'ExportMonth' to extract the month and year from ExportDate.

ExportMonth = FORMAT(ExportDate, "yyyy-MM")

Expected Result

Column ExportMonth with values like '2024-01', '2024-02', etc.

3

Step 3: Create a measure 'TotalExports' to sum ExportCount.

TotalExports = SUM(ExportCount)

Expected Result

Measure that sums all ExportCount values.

4

Step 4: Build a line chart with X-axis as ExportMonth, Legend as ExportFormat, and Values as TotalExports.

Configure chart: X-axis=ExportMonth, Legend=ExportFormat, Values=TotalExports

Expected Result

Line chart showing monthly export counts for STL and 3MF formats.

5

Step 5: Create a summary table with ExportFormat and TotalExports aggregated over all months.

Table with columns: ExportFormat, TotalExports (SUM of ExportCount)

Expected Result

Table showing total parts exported per format.

6

Step 6: Add filters to allow selecting specific months or formats.

Add slicers for ExportMonth and ExportFormat

Expected Result

Interactive dashboard with filters for month and format.

Final Result

Monthly 3D Printing Exports

ExportCount
  |
15|       *           *
12|    *     *     *  
 9|       *     *     
 6|  *           *    
 3|                   
  +--------------------
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Legend: * = STL, o = 3MF

Summary Table:
Format | Total Exports
STL    | 69
3MF    | 41

✓STL format is more popular overall with 69 parts exported.

✓Exports peak in April for STL and June for 3MF.

✓3MF exports are steady but lower than STL.

Bonus Challenge

Add a calculated measure to find the percentage share of each format per month.

Show Hint

Create a measure dividing TotalExports by the monthly total of all formats, then format as percentage.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between exporting a model as STL and 3MF in SolidWorks for 3D printing?

easy

A. STL files contain only shape data, while 3MF files can include color and material information.

B. STL files are always smaller than 3MF files.

C. 3MF files cannot be used for 3D printing.

D. STL files include textures and colors, but 3MF files do not.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand STL file content

   STL files store only the shape geometry of the model as triangles without color or material data.

2. Step 2: Understand 3MF file content

   3MF files can store shape, color, materials, and other printing information, making them richer than STL.

3. Final Answer:

   STL files contain only shape data, while 3MF files can include color and material information. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   STL = shape only, 3MF = shape + color/material [OK]

Hint: Remember: STL = shape only, 3MF = shape plus extras [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking STL files include color or textures
• Assuming 3MF files are not for 3D printing
• Believing STL files always have smaller size

2. Which of the following is the correct way to export a model as an STL file in SolidWorks?

easy

A. File > Save As > Select STL (*.stl) > Click Save

B. File > Export > Choose 3MF > Click Export

C. File > Save As > Select PDF (*.pdf) > Click Save

D. File > Import > Select STL (*.stl) > Click Open

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate export option in SolidWorks

   To export, use File > Save As and choose the desired file type.

2. Step 2: Select STL format correctly

   Choose STL (*.stl) from the dropdown and click Save to export the model as STL.

3. Final Answer:

   File > Save As > Select STL (*.stl) > Click Save -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Export STL via Save As > STL [OK]

Hint: Use Save As and pick STL to export 3D print files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Import instead of Save As to export
• Choosing wrong file type like PDF
• Confusing 3MF export with STL export steps

3. Given a SolidWorks model exported as STL with a very high resolution setting, what is the most likely outcome?

medium

A. The file size will be small, but print quality will be poor.

B. The file size will be large, and print quality will be high.

C. The file will not open in 3D printing software.

D. The model will lose color information.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand resolution effect on STL export

   Higher resolution means more triangles, increasing file size and detail.

2. Step 2: Relate resolution to print quality

   More detail in the file leads to better print quality but larger file size.

3. Final Answer:

   The file size will be large, and print quality will be high. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   High resolution = large file + high quality [OK]

Hint: Higher resolution means bigger file and better print [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming high resolution reduces file size
• Thinking STL files contain color data
• Believing large files won't open in printers

4. You exported a model as STL but the 3D printer software reports the file is corrupted. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You forgot to save the file.

B. You exported the file as 3MF instead of STL.

C. The model has gaps or holes causing a non-manifold mesh.

D. The file size is too small.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify common STL export issues

   Non-manifold geometry like gaps or holes causes corrupted STL files.

2. Step 2: Understand impact on 3D printer software

   Such errors prevent the printer software from reading the file correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   The model has gaps or holes causing a non-manifold mesh. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Non-manifold mesh = corrupted STL file [OK]

Hint: Check model for gaps before exporting STL [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing file format with corruption
• Assuming file size causes corruption
• Forgetting to save the file is rarely the cause

5. You want to export a SolidWorks model for 3D printing with color and material info included. Which export format and settings should you choose?

hard

A. Export as STL with high resolution settings.

B. Export as OBJ without textures.

C. Export as STL with binary format.

D. Export as 3MF with color and material options enabled.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify format supporting color and materials

   3MF supports color and material data; STL does not.

2. Step 2: Enable color and material options in export

   Ensure export settings include color and material to preserve this info.

3. Final Answer:

   Export as 3MF with color and material options enabled. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   3MF + color/material options = correct export [OK]

Hint: Use 3MF format to keep color and materials [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing STL expecting color data
• Ignoring export settings for materials
• Selecting unrelated formats like OBJ without textures