Converting a 3D object (in spherical coordinates) to an stl.

Hello all,

I am currently working on a project in which I will eventually 3D print antenna radiation patterns. As part of the project, I have to use spherical coordinates from a 3D object and convert the file to an stl. I have explored several options for how to do this, but I was wondering if anyone had ever done this before. If so, what was your overall method to converting from the 3D object to the stl?

Thank you in advance!

[darova]

Convert spherical coordinates to cartesian first. Show the data

Answer 1

[Monisha Nalluru]

You may use stlwrite to convert a 3D object to STL file from triangulation.

There is also a File exchange available to extend stlwrite to export variety of inputs(path/surface) to STL

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/20922-stlwrite-write-ascii-or-binary-stl-files

[DGM]

Unless you change the name, installing #20922 in any modern version will cause a name conflict, making the built-in stlwrite() inacessible. If you want to use it, rename it.

Alternatively, if the goal is support for inputs not accepted by the built-in tool, then just use FEX #182013 instead. It supports everything that #20922 does, and more. It won't cause conflicts in modern versions, and it's compatible with the last 16 years worth of releases.

For the given case, it's not likely that any third party tools are necessary. At most, surf2patch(...,'triangles') and stlwrite() should be all that's necessary.

Answer 2

[DGM]

Here are actual examples:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/747167-export-radiation-pattern-to-stl#answer_1567934

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/501620-how-to-save-the-result-of-stlwrite-to-a-specific-directory-chosen-by-the-user#comment_3341828

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/284479-how-to-export-3d-data-from-matlab-as-a-stl-or-obj-file#comment_3341814