I'm not sure if this is a geoprocessing question or a data management question, but I need to convert a basic raster (DEM of state resampled/clipped down to the exact state borders) to an STL file type for 3d printing. I have zero experience with 3d printing, but after trying all sorts of workarounds online last week -- including installing QGIS which claims to have a DEM to STL that added lots of extra space around my border -- I am just about to give up. Surely there is some arctoolbox function or script that I can use to work from DEM --> STL that preserves my non-rectangular state border from the DEM? The TIN function looks horrific, by the way, so that one is out. This may be the most basic question, but again, I have no experience at all with STL 3d print files. Also, I have all possible extensions & the advanced ArcInfo license so if ArcGIS has it, surely I can access it. Thanks in advance~
An overview of the From Raster toolset—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop has no conversion tools
you can look at some of the suggestions in this poll
But I can't find STL as a supported export format on arcmap or Pro's
Hello Patrick,
First I would convert the area you want to a tin and then use the process linked here:
Here's the process as I understand it:
Basically, you turn your raster to a Tin:
Raster To TIN—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop
Then the Tin to VRML:
Exporting a 3D VRML model in ArcScene—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop
Then use the script below from this website to convert to python.
http://gis.ess.washington.edu/data/vrml/index.html
http://gis.ess.washington.edu/data/vrml/vrml2stl.py
I have not done this process, but I'm interested to hear if you succeed.
Thanks,
Arthur Crawford - Esri
Hello Arthur,
I just searched for the Menu File in that Link Exporting a 3D VRML model in ArcScene—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop ...i haven't found it. I've got ArcGIS Pro 2.8.3
Thanks in advance!
Greets,
Andrea