CAD models frequently use STL (STereoLithography) format files or Physical Modeling XML files.
You can use the 3D World Editor to import STL and Physical Modeling XML files directly into a VRML virtual scene. You can integrate content from those files into a virtual world, converting the structure into VRML.
Note
You cannot use the 3D World Editor to import STL and Physical Modeling XML files directly into an X3D virtual scene.
To import an STL or Physical Modeling XML file:
In the 3D World Editor, select theRoot
node or anMFNode
node (usually thechildren
node of aTransform
orGroup
node).
From theNodes>Import Frommenu item, select eitherSTL FileorPhysical Modeling XML File.
Tip
Alternatively, you can right-click theRoot
node or anMFNode
node and use theImport Frommenu item. To insert the new node in the middle of a node list, after the selected node, use theNodes>Import Frommenu path.
Note
To import a Physical Modeling XML file, the target folder must be writable.
Alternatively, you can use thestl2vrml
function.
Importing an STL file creates aTransform
node containing aShape
node withIndexedFaceSet
geometry that represents the original STL shape. The newTransform
is create in one of these locations:
At the main level of the scene hierarchy (at the end of the file)
As a child of a selected grouping node
Importing a Physical Modeling XML file creates an individual VRML file for each STL file that the XML file references. The created VRML files are stored in the folder where the edited VRML file is located.
In the edited VRML file, the newly createdTransform
contains hierarchical structureTransforms
that correspond to the structure of objects described in the XML file. Individual VRML shape files in this structure are referenced usingInline
nodes.
Note
When importing a Physical Modeling XML file into a new, unsaved VRML model, children VRML files are created in the current working folder. If you save the file into a different folder, move the referenced VRML files to the new location.