How to convert "SLICED", stl or obj files to JPEG or jpg file?

Hello syed,

Just to give you a little background on .stil files.  They don't natively hold color so your images will be a solid color when printed on a Inkjet based printers.  When you get into the professional grade machines such as Zcorp then the file would be in a .vrml form.  But if you do want just plain colors then I would check out this really nice piece of software http://www.freesteel.co.uk/wpblog/slicer/.  You could also use something like http://slic3r.org/ and export out a .svg file which is vector based image format.  This can be converted to a .png or .jpeg if required depending on your needs.  Hope this gets you started.

Nate

Hi Nate,

Its a pleasure to know you. Thanks a lot for helping.

I am writing what I understand from your instructions. If I have a 3 D file using .svg, I can convert the sliced file into .jpg, file. This .jpg file will print 4 colour printing.Is that correct.

But we need to have 5 colour printer to print WHITE.

Hello syed,

May I ask what exactly you are trying to do.  It seems like you are trying to create something similar to a laminate based 3d printer.  Am I correct?

To explain the svg file a little more.  So if you were to use slic3r for example it would build a svg file which is a xml based file and the slices would be "layers" within that file.  Each layer would have a color assigned to it.  By default Slic3r sets it to white.  Here is what an svg file looks like:

Notice the color at the end of each line.  Once you have the svg file you can take it into something like Inkscape and convert the objects (layers) to .jpg or .png.

What would be easier is use the other tool I mentioned Freesteel.  This allows you to convert the slices to images right from the start.  Some people shy away from it as its a command line driven tool.  I will show you an example to get you started if its what you want to use.

Get into the cmd terminal.

type this: slice pathtoyourstl/stlname -o imagesfolder/slice.jpg -z 0,5,0.1

-o is telling it "output" while imagesfolder is creating a folder named "imagesfolder" on your c drive to put the images in.  -z sets the z bottom,top,slice thickness.

Hope this clarifies this.

Nate

What I am trying to do is to use a simple inkjet printer. I am trying to take out the paper feeder from inkjet printer, replace  it with a bin with powder. I am trying to print on the powder. The liquid in the cartridge will solidify the powder with pigment with inkjet liquid. Multi layers of powder will make an object.

I hope you will guide more.

I am trying with a DIFFERENT (low cost) material to make objects

Hello syed,

If you are going for a 3DP/powder bed printer then I would check out this link. http://ytec3d.com/plan-b/.  This is a printer similar to what you are looking to do.

Nate

Thank you very much Nate. I appreciate your help and going out of way to help me.
It looks like this printer is what I want to convert an inkjet printer. It says it will cost Euro 1000/= which seems to be very affordable price.

Do you believe this printer can use the same software to print or I need to change the files?

Any idea I can use SENSE scanner to copy image and print?

Using sugar as binding agent may attract lot of bugs and bacteria. I believe I can change other binding agents and building materials to start the project.

This printer prints in unicolor. Do you think if I try to convert inkjet, it will print in 7 colors?

syed,

If you are going down the path of the Plan-B then you will need another piece of software which is explained here. http://ytec3d.com/plan-b-software/  The plan-b uses electronics similar to that of the Reprap.  Now, for example if you were to leave the printer intact and add binder instead of ink then no other software would be needed.  But you would need to find a way to control the powder layering and bed/head elevation.

Nate

Thanks a lot Nate. One by one I will try all the options, or will explore more options, if there are any or if I can find some more. Lets see which one gives the best results.

I am travelling next week and will start working on it as soon as I return, in a 3 weeks.

Syed, I look forward to seeing your project transform.  Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask questions along the way. I'm sure one of us will be able to point you in the right direction.

Nate