FreeCAD and Mesh Import

Operations after Import

After import the model is (for FreeCAD) just an assembly of faces.
You might want to convert the model into a shape FreeCAD can recognize and that could be altered in FreeCAD.
To do this:

• Switch to the Part workbench
• Select the mesh, and go to the Part menu --> Create shape from mesh
• Click OK to the dialog
• Select the newly created shape
• Go to Part --> Convert to solid
• Select the newly created solid
• Go to Part --> Refine shape

The last step is not necessary, but it will clean the solid of most of its residual edges on planar and cylindrical surfaces.

I get the error message "cannot convert because shape is not a shell" ! What now ?

Well, your shell seems to have errors, maybe it is not closed (has holes).
Since the capabilities of the mesh workbench in FreeCAD are a little limited at the moment, you might want to try
examining and repairing of your model with third-party software.
After doing that, you may try importing and converting of your model again.

Which programs can I use for examining/repairing of my mesh model ?

• Meshlab (Homepage)

License: Open Source (GPL V2)
Runs on Windows 32/64 bit, Linux and Mac OS X

• netFabb basic (Homepage)

License: Freeware
Runs on Windows XP/7/8, Linux and Mac OS X