<p>I've had good results with using the free web-based program known as <a href="https://www.onshape.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Onshape</a> which allows you to import/create 3D models. One of the features built into Onshape is a drawing tab. You can select the views desired or use a standard layout, as well as add dimensions to the individual drawing views.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EnQlH.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Onshape image example"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EnQlH.png" alt="Onshape image example" title="Onshape image example"></a></p>

<p>This image above was of a model created in and exported from Tinkercad. No dimensions have been added in this example, but it's available as part of the software. Being browser based, the program will work for any platform.</p>

<p>In order to make this answer more accurate, I attempted to duplicate the results shown in the drawing.</p>

<p>I've discovered that I used Fusion 360 to import the STL. The next step involved turning off history feature, then converting the STL to BREP. Once in BREP form, the no-longer-STL file can be exported as .step, which is accepted by Onshape.</p>

<p>Fusion 360 is a free-to-hobbyists program, but does not run in a browser. There may be other programs which will convert STL to .step and there may even be a browser converter-specific site to accomplish this.</p>

<p>I recognize that this is a convoluted solution, but it's not particularly burdensome, overall.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-06T13:27:58.520Z
Wow thank you for this info! I had no idea onshape existed!
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-06T13:30:04.887Z
Is this a free program that will also work on Mac?
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-06T16:18:23.437Z
added edit, browser based means any platform.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-07T17:12:08.663Z
how do you export a file like the one shown with the dimensions? I'm signed up with Onshape but am a total newbie and not sure how to use it yet
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-07T17:31:44.827Z
says "failed to create line rendering of topology"
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-07T18:09:05.750Z
I noticed that the drawing feature works just fine when I create a part using Onshape but my imported STL file just isn't working. I've tried DXF and other formats and it doesn't;t want to budge
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-07T20:31:02.497Z
I'm confident that I used Tinkercad to create the image in the post. That would mean that I exported it to a file format compatible to Onshape. It's been so long ago, I don't have a clear answer, although DXF is a poor choice. Look for .STP or .step or similar.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T01:50:52.843Z
tried STP and it said that file has no importable geometry
Vbs 
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-09T02:02:25.480Z
new edit, intermediate step involved previously forgotten.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-05T01:44:15.700Z
2019-12-09T08:19:23.503Z
2019-12-09T08:19:23.503Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Does anyone know of an easy and free way to convert my STL models to a PDF drawing for CAD and metal CNC machining?</p>

<p>I've created some great designs that are all STL files and want to somehow send them to a CNC/milling machine to make my designs in metal parts.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-05T13:12:10.790Z
if all else fails  "PrintScreen"  :-)
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-05T13:13:04.350Z
What does your milling machine take for input?  E.g. convert the STL to an OBJ file and that may be all you need.
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-05T13:29:12.987Z
The normal process is to start with a CAD file, and then generate a dimension drawing for manual machining, or an STL file.
Davo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-06T13:29:47.787Z
@CarlWitthoft yeah that’s pretty much what I did a and was manually adding dimensions to a screenshot...I was thinking there must be an easier way and I think the guy who suggested Onshape takes the cake with his suggestion.
Vbs 
<3d-design><stl><cad><file-formats>
How can I convert STL files into PDF drawings?
Vbs 
# How can I convert STL files into PDF drawings?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-05)

Does anyone know of an easy and free way to convert my STL models to a PDF drawing for CAD and metal CNC machining?

I've created some great designs that are all STL files and want to somehow send them to a CNC/milling machine to make my designs in metal parts.

**Tags:** 3d-design, stl, cad, file-formats

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: if all else fails  "PrintScreen"  :-)  
> **username_1**: What does your milling machine take for input?  E.g. convert the STL to an OBJ file and that may be all you need.  
> **username_2**: The normal process is to start with a CAD file, and then generate a dimension drawing for manual machining, or an STL file.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 yeah that’s pretty much what I did a and was manually adding dimensions to a screenshot...I was thinking there must be an easier way and I think the guy who suggested Onshape takes the cake with his suggestion.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-12-05. Score: 3

I've had good results with using the free web-based program known as [Onshape](https://www.onshape.com/) which allows you to import/create 3D models. One of the features built into Onshape is a drawing tab. You can select the views desired or use a standard layout, as well as add dimensions to the individual drawing views.

[![Onshape image example](https://i.sstatic.net/EnQlH.png "Onshape image example")](https://i.sstatic.net/EnQlH.png "Onshape image example")

This image above was of a model created in and exported from Tinkercad. No dimensions have been added in this example, but it's available as part of the software. Being browser based, the program will work for any platform.

In order to make this answer more accurate, I attempted to duplicate the results shown in the drawing.

I've discovered that I used Fusion 360 to import the STL. The next step involved turning off history feature, then converting the STL to BREP. Once in BREP form, the no-longer-STL file can be exported as .step, which is accepted by Onshape.

Fusion 360 is a free-to-hobbyists program, but does not run in a browser. There may be other programs which will convert STL to .step and there may even be a browser converter-specific site to accomplish this.

I recognize that this is a convoluted solution, but it's not particularly burdensome, overall.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Wow thank you for this info! I had no idea onshape existed!  
> **username_0**: Is this a free program that will also work on Mac?  
> **username_3**: added edit, browser based means any platform.  
> **username_0**: how do you export a file like the one shown with the dimensions? I'm signed up with Onshape but am a total newbie and not sure how to use it yet  
> **username_0**: says "failed to create line rendering of topology"  
> **username_0**: I noticed that the drawing feature works just fine when I create a part using Onshape but my imported STL file just isn't working. I've tried DXF and other formats and it doesn't;t want to budge  
> **username_3**: I'm confident that I used Tinkercad to create the image in the post. That would mean that I exported it to a file format compatible to Onshape. It's been so long ago, I don't have a clear answer, although DXF is a poor choice. Look for .STP or .step or similar.  
> **username_0**: tried STP and it said that file has no importable geometry  
> **username_3**: new edit, intermediate step involved previously forgotten.  

---

