I have a solid of revolution defined by two equations, and I want to generate a STL file for printing from the difference of the two equations, revolved around x=0. I can get a good visualization when I query this on Wolfram Alpha, but I cannot figure out how to download an STL of this. I know there is a way to do this via Wolfram's Development Program but I'm not sure how or if that is the best way to do this. Solutions do not have to involve WA.
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$\begingroup$ A programmatic CAD like OpenSCAD or implicitcad will do the job. $\endgroup$– abruskiMay 16, 2017 at 6:37
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2$\begingroup$ Yes, OpenSCAD is free; you should give it a try. $\endgroup$– DavoMay 16, 2017 at 13:24
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$\begingroup$ @Davo how can I enter equations into OpenSCAD $\endgroup$– werdna3232May 16, 2017 at 13:28
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1$\begingroup$ Well, I'm not an OpenSCAD guy, but I've seen people work wonders with it. The download includes practice formulas and tutorials, if memory serves. $\endgroup$– DavoMay 16, 2017 at 13:34
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2 Answers
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The Wolfram Alpha "Data Download" feature supports STL format, but is only enabled with a Pro Account.
When I click your link to Wolfram, I see the visualization of your equations at the bottom of the page; when I hover over the image, several buttons show below it. One of them is "Data", with a download icon. This gives a number of download options. The File Format drop down includes "STL".
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$\begingroup$ I don't have my printing software with me, so I haven't verified that the STL file will be usable... $\endgroup$– mbmcavoyMay 16, 2017 at 16:19
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$\begingroup$ Is there a way to get this without a pro account? (Or could you share the STL with me?) $\endgroup$ May 16, 2017 at 21:27
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$\begingroup$ I don't have an account at all. I'm not signed in, I just clicked your link. I'll see if I can add screenshots to my answer. $\endgroup$– mbmcavoyMay 16, 2017 at 21:42
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$\begingroup$ Ah - I see the actual download is disabled without having a Pro account. I will revise my answer. $\endgroup$– mbmcavoyMay 16, 2017 at 21:46
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The best free solution I could find was to graph this (in Desmos), screenshot it, and convert it into a SVG, convert that into an OpenSCAD file, and then use that to make the STL. A similar process is shown on someone's blog here.