Is there a way to sneak multiple STLs into VCarve, I initially said no.
The result is the following procedure, hopefully it is coherent enough to be replicated by others.
It is not for the faint of heart.
How to import multiple STL's in VCarve Pro or Desktop.
I only have trial versions of VCarve Pro or Desktop.
I used VCarve Desktop to test the procedure.
I used Aspire to generate the combined STL because I don't have "other" software.
It is labor intensive, but it works. My example will have 2 STLs, an apple and a mushroom.
Yes they are from Vectric's clipart, but I didn't want to create new STLs just for this example.
1) Find 2 or more STL's that you would like to import.
2) It will require support from "other" software that can create a combined STL.
3) In the "other" software:
a) Import each STL's
b) Export your desired STLs as one combined STL
a) File, Import, Import Component / 3d Model
b) Finish importing and positioning process
d) Select combined STL, copy and paste
b) Place each combined STL on its own Level in the Model tab.
e) Place each combined STL on its own Layer in the Layer tab.
f) Rename the Layers and Levels so the names match to make it easier on yourself.
5) Turn off all Levels and Layers except the ones you want to work on.
a) Make sure the Layer is active for the particular STL you want to separate
b) Select the combined STL and create a vectors around your STL's by using Create vector Boundary around Selected Components,
Modeling Tab.
c) Select that vector and Ungroup
d) Delete all vectors except for the one associated with the STL you are trying to extract.
e) Select the combined STL and the vector and in the Modeling Tab, select the Level that is active right click the Level and go down to Clipping, Apply.
f) The results of Clipping only show up in the 3d View tab.
6) Repeat step 5 for as many STL as you are trying to extract.
7) We are at the step you can move the Apple and Mushroom independently of each other.
The imported, edited and moved STLs in VCarve Desktop.
a) When you move each component you will have to move the component and its vector together and then Update, Clipping.
b) This is not fun, you have to turn on and off Levels and Layers to grab the component you want to move.
c) Because it is clipping you will see a ghost image of the component clipped out and it will make you project really cluttered.
I'm glad I have Aspire because this could get really complicated and laborious.
