File import dialog reference

Switches and functions of the extended file import dialog explained

About the dialog

The extended file import dialog offers a variety of switches and functions to perform certain tasks with files about to be loaded even before they appear on the build platform.

Tip: To always use this dialog, set Settings > Settings > Import and export > Use extended file import to Yes.

Key features of the extended file import

• Suitable for importing multiple different files at once
• Shows basic statistics of the parts about to be loaded, including a check as to whether a part might need repair (self-intersections are not checked for in this pass)
• Creates duplicates, applies repair, scales, assigns to groups, changes naming, overrides positioning – all during import

Per-part options

Right-click individual entries in the table to access these options.

• Quantity: The number of copies to insert. For two or more, part name suffixes will be added; for example Box_01, Box_02, and so on.
• Rename: Change the name of the part before importing.
• Level of detail: Set how close to the original mesh the part should be displayed. This is a visual setting; it enables triangle-intensive parts to be viewed with less rendering demand.
• Scale: Enables you to convert between millimeters and inches, reset any applied scaling, or set custom scaling using a dialog box.
• Stitch: Attempt to close the seam between triangles sharing edges in the same location. This is similar to Stitch triangles in the Repair module. While not a complete repair function, Stitch will usually improve part quality. When triangle edges are stitched, you will see any changes in the number of triangles and shells and in the part quality applied immediately.
• Remove: The part is removed from the list and will not be added to the project.

Per-import options

• Position: Most 3D files contain positional information relative to some form of origin.
  • According to file data: All parts are positioned exactly as defined in the file.
  • Move parts to origin: All parts are moved to the origin. The lowest bounding box coordinates will be X=0, Y=0, Z=0.
  • Arrange parts: All parts are arranged next to each other on the platform, with their bounding box as reference. The first part is inserted at the origin.
• Stitch all: Any meeting, but not connected, triangles are attempted to be stitched
• Create group with stitched parts: Groups all parts that have had any triangles stitched, for easier identification.

  Parts that did not need stitching, or where stitching could not be performed for some reason but still would need stitching, do not become grouped.

• General level of detail: Upon loading of all involved parts into this dialog, this LOD value is applied to all of them during this time the dialog is opened.
• Set LOD as default: Sets the chosen LOD value as the default for all future times this dialog is used
• Automatic grouping of parts: If parts are set to be imported with duplicates, the duplicates are put into separate groups with their respective originals
• Apply repair script: Applies the chosen repair script during import
• Always use this dialog: If you do not want this dialog to open anymore the next time you add a part, uncheck this box. To turn it back on, set Settings > Settings > Import and export > Use extended file import to Yes.