The online STL editor that redefines triangle mesh editing
Online STL editors have made working with 3D models easier, but not all tools are the same. Discover how HelloTriangle provides a different approach to working with triangle meshes.
HelloTriangle enables users to efficiently analyze, modify, and share STL files. From slicing triangle meshes and performing boolean operations to repairing models for 3D printing, By using Python at its core, it provides advanced capabilities for anyone who needs to automate tasks or perform advanced operations.
Why use HelloTriangle as your online STL editor?
No Installations Needed
Traditional 3D modeling software often involves complex installations and necessitates using the computer where the software is installed. Online STL editors like HelloTriangle eliminate this step, working directly in your browser. This cloud-based approach enables users to access tools anytime, anywhere, from any device with an internet connection.
Simple Collaboration
Collaboration is crucial, especially when working within a team. With HelloTriangle, you can share your work with a simple link. This feature lets teams review and discuss models in real time without needing file transfers.
Advanced Tools and Automation
Automating repetitive tasks can save hours of work. With HelloTriangle’s Python scripting, you can streamline your workflow. Focus on solving real challenges instead of spending time on repetitive manual operations.
How HelloTriangle redefines working with triangle meshes
HelloTriangle goes beyond basic STL editing, providing a powerful online STL editor with advanced tools for engineers, researchers and designers.
1. STL Model Analysis
Understanding the properties of a triangle mesh is essential for many applications. HelloTriangle allows users to:
Measure surface area and volume to assess model dimensions.
Count triangles and nodes to check mesh resolution.
Slice STL files to generate cross-sections for further analysis (see slicing example).
2. STL Model Manipulation
Making precise adjustments to STL models is key in many applications. HelloTriangle enables users to:
Scale, rotate, and translate models (see example on basic transformations).
Calculate principal axes to analyze orientation, and to re-orient when needed.
3. Mesh Quality Analysis and Repair
A high-quality mesh is crucial for accurate finite element simulations and 3D printing. With HelloTriangle, users can:
Check mesh quality to detect issues like non-manifold edges or poorly shaped triangles.
Repair STL files by closing holes, removing degenerated elements and fixing flipped normals.
4. Boolean and Other Operations
Combining and modifying STL files is often necessary for design iteration and prototyping. HelloTriangle supports:
Union, subtraction, and intersection to merge or cut models efficiently (see example on boolean operations).
Offsetting STL files to create thickness for manufacturing or visualization purposes (see offsetting example).
5. Advanced Visualization and Comparison
Inspecting and comparing models is important for design validation and quality control. With HelloTriangle, users can:
Compare triangle meshes by calculating and visualizing differences between models. A scalar field showing the distance between the two surfaces can be easily added (see scalar field example)
Clip triangulated surfaces to isolate and examine specific sections (see mesh clipping example).
6. Mesh Optimization and Remeshing
Controlling the complexity of a triangle mesh can be required (e.g. for finite element simulations). HelloTriangle provides:
Mesh refinement and reduction to adjust resolution.
Remeshing tools to create elements of uniform size and high quality.
Why Python scripting changes the game in online stl editing
HelloTriangle’s Python scripting makes it stand out from other online STL editors. While GUI tools are common, scripting adds unmatched flexibility and power for users.
Simple for Beginners
HelloTriangle provides clear, easy-to-follow Python examples. Even beginners can quickly learn to automate workflows or perform advanced modeling tasks.
Efficient Batch Processing
Repetitive tasks, like analyzing or modifying multiple STL files, can be automated with Python scripts. This saves time and ensures accuracy across large datasets.
Create Geometry from Scratch
HelloTriangle allows you to design models from the ground up:
Generate complex shapes: Use tools like extruding and sweeping to create intricate designs.
Start with basic shapes: Quickly build from cubes, spheres, and other standard geometries.
Support for Multiple Formats
HelloTriangle supports importing and exporting in various formats, not just STL. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of tools.
Getting started with HelloTriangle: A step-by-step tutorial
To demonstrate HelloTriangle’s capabilities, we’ll walk through a basic workflow using Python scripting. In this tutorial, we will:
Import an STL file.
Analyze the triangle mesh by extracting the volume.
Scale the model to modify its dimensions.
Recalculate parameters to observe the effect of scaling.
1. Importing an STL File
To begin, we need to load our STL file into HelloTriangle. The following Python code reads an STL file and initializes it as a triangle mesh:
# import stl file
sphere = Mesh.read('sphere.stl')
draw(sphere, color='#2BB786')
After executing this, our model is stored in the mesh object, ready for further processing.
2. Extracting Key Model Properties
Understanding a model’s dimensions is essential for applications like 3D printing and simulations. We can easily obtain key properties such as surface area and volume using:
print(sphere)The volume is 4.14. This is slightly below the exact volume of a sphere with unit radius which is 4.19, and this is due to the approximated triangle mesh. Using a more refined triangulated surface would bring us closer to the exact volume.
At this stage, we have obtained the original characteristics of our STL file. Next, let’s modify the model by scaling it.
3. Scaling the Model
Scaling a model changes its size while maintaining its proportions. Here, we apply a uniform scale factor of 1.5, increasing the model’s dimensions by 50% in all directions:
sphereScaled = sphere.scale(1.5)Applying a different amount of scaling in the different directions is also possible by providing an array with 3 values to the scale function (e.g. [2.0, 4.0, 1.0]).
4. Recalculating Properties After Scaling
Since the model was uniformly scaled by a factor of 1.5, the volume should increase by 1.5³ (3.375x).
If we print the volume of the scaled sphere, then we indeed obtain 13.96.
Experience the future of 3D modeling with HelloTriangle
HelloTriangle is more than just an online STL editor—it’s a comprehensive 3D modeling platform that supports working with all kinds of meshes, including triangle meshes. With Python scripting and cloud-based collaboration, it’s designed for engineers and researchers who want to solve complex 3D modeling problems with increased efficiency.
Ready to experience the future of 3D modeling? Sign up for HelloTriangle today.