Slice (.slc) Import/Export

SLC is a 2½-dimension file describing slices (contours) through a solid model typically for rapid prototyping applications such as stereolithography. It consists of successive cross-section polylines taken at ascending Z intervals (normal).

Import

To open, import or insert a file

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, or Import.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

Export

To save SLC files

  1. From the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
  3. In the Files of type box, select Slice (*.slc).
  4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
  5. Pick a point that will be start of your slicing normal.
    The slices will be evenly spaced, (you can modify the distance between slices in an upcoming dialog box) and perpendicular to the slicing normal.
  6. Pick a point that will be the end of slicing normal.

SLC Export Options

Distance between slices

The distance between the slices or layers of curves that your final output will contain. The distance should be based on the slice thickness of your final output device.

Angle between polyline segments

The angle that determines how smooth the polylines of the slice curves will be. When the number is small you will get a smooth final output but it will take more time to export.

Use meshes to generate slices

The curves for each slice are generated by intersecting the object mesh with a plane. Consequently, the Angle between polyline segments data is no longer used. The final output is based on the number of polygons chosen for the mesh in the Polygon Mesh Options dialog. The greater the number of polygons, the longer it will take to export and the smoother the final result.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.