From: Paul Suomala (psuomala@sandersdesign.com)
Date: Fri Jan 24 2003 - 16:25:57 EET
Ian,
For clarity, the viewer I referred to is what I was using to slice the model as
well.
Ian Gibson wrote:
> Paul
>
> I think Christian is asking about slicers, not viewers. I would also like
> to know if anyone has encountered problems with large stl files. I remember
> when we actually used our Kira machine (the old A3 version), the slicer
> limited file sizes to around 100k triangles. Probably most files exceed
> that number these days. I believe the problem related to the file handling
> protocol, which probably used an arbitrary allocation that was deemed
> reasonable at the time (remember Bill Gates thinking that 640k was good
> enough for any application?). My guess is therefore that the older the OS
> for the RP machine, the smaller the maximum file size.
>
> I don't know whether Christian is interested because he has encountered
> such a problem (Christian?), or whether (like me) he is just interested as
> to whether such a problem still exists and would like to know the
> limitations. If it does still exist, I guess the only way is to cut the
> model up into pieces and assemble it later.
>
> IG
>
> At 08:25 AM 1/23/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> >Christian,
> > I cannot speak for all the RP process but perhaps can give you some
> >idea.
> > Recently I encountered a file that is 215Mb and, if memory serves me
> >correctly, approximately 2.5 - 3 million triangles. I was not able to
> >wait long enough for this file to come up in an STL viewer on a PIII
> >with 256mb ram.
> > I was able to eventually handle it (slowly) on another computer with
> >1gb ram, dual PIII Xenon processors and Raid 0 hard drive configuration.
> >
> > My conclusion at this time is that the only limitation is the
> >configuration of the PC you have...
> > But I wonder why you are asking about this ?
> >
> >Best regards,
> >Paul S
> >Christian LAVIGNE wrote:
> >
> > > Dear RP fellows,
> > >
> > > is it known a theoretical size limitation for an STL file (number of
> > > triangles or Mb) ?
> > > Or, is it known a practical size limitation for an STL file used for
> > > building a SLA, or SLS, or FDM...part ?
> > > (Perhaps each RP device, each machine, each driver has its own
> > > limitation ?)
> > >
> > > Thanks for your infos and experience on this small topic.
> > >
> > > ***********************
> > > Christian LAVIGNE
> > > CYBERSCULPTURE & CO
> > > www.impression3d.com
> > > ***********************
>
> Dr. Ian Gibson
> Department of Mechanical Engineering
> The University of Hong Kong
> +852 2859 7901 (O)
> +852 2858 5415 (F)
> +852 2817 1784 (H)
> +852 9873 8281 (M)
>
> Still crazy after all these years.
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