previewing stl files within Google Drive?

[Lindsey Own]

Hi, friends!  Has anyone found a solution for previewing stl files within Google Drive? Now that I'm getting lots of files submitted from kids, it would be way easier if I could at least view them before downloading and opening in our slicing software... Then I could catch really blatant errors earlier, or at least plan my printing bed layouts better.

There's this Chrome extension, which I find referenced a lot and even has a YouTube demo video but from 2014. I get an error every time I use it, and all the reviews recently say it's awful. So I think it's a dud.

This one is minimum adequate, but seriously minimum. It opens a file to view, and is faster than downloading but not substantially so. It's making me re-authenticate for every file I want to view.

Other thoughts? In my ideal universe, I'd like to just preview 3D model files before downloading to 3D print in the same way I can preview adobe illustrator files within Google Drive before downloading them to laser cut.

Thank you!

(Also, I promise to send pictures/video of that addressable LED tree when it's done!)

- Lindsey

[Diane Brancazio]

A good free STL viewer is eDrawings by Solidworks - http://www.edrawingsviewer.com/

The product is good but the install is a bit long

I also just tried Open 3D Model Viewer – free and easy install.  http://www.open3mod.com/stl_viewer.htm

Hope this helps!

Diane

 

Diane Brancazio

Lead Maker Educator

The Edgerton Center

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 4-406

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-253-2865

dia...@mit.edu

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[Tatian Greenleaf]

I assume you're trying to avoid downloading each file but in case it's helpful, you can open downloaded .STL files in Preview on a Mac to quickly check for obvious errors.

Tatian

Tatian Greenleaf

Design, Tinkering, and Technology Integrator

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Mark Day School
(415) 472-8000 x1014

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[John Umekubo]

Yes, +1 for preview on the Mac. You can also just tap spacebar while file is selected in the Finder. You can then rotate the object around while viewing.

If you are allowed to make your own google accounts at your school, you might consider making an account for .STL submissions, then use Google Drive Desktop to see all of these files while in Finder.

I've also found this site helpful, STL Viewer, for quickly reviewing .STL files. We used it in math classes to calculate volume.

- john 

John Umekubo about.me/jumekubo

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