# BobCAD

**URL:** <https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712>\
**Category:** Software\
**Created:** [March 12, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712 "2018-03-12T16:12:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dlabosky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6f9a4e/32.png) [@dlabosky](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/dlabosky)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712/1 "2018-03-12T16:12:38Z")

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I just bought a Taz 6 and am making parts using BobCAD-CAM V28. I am unable to open an .stl file in BobCAD. I can turn a BobCAD file into .stl but not the other way. Does anybody know a way to open an .stl file in BobCAD. I would like to tweak some files that are available in Thingiverse.

Thanks.

Dave

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**Author:** ![Orias](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/orias/32/3_2.png) [@Orias](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/Orias)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712/2 "2018-04-16T20:40:25Z")

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We’re not that familiar with BobCAD/CAM unfortunately. We typically recommend using Blender, but that may have a steep learning curve. Were you able to tweak your files?

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**Author:** ![b-morgan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/b-morgan/32/11517_2.png) [@b-morgan](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/b-morgan)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712/3 "2018-04-16T21:23:42Z")

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It doesn’t surprise me that BobCAD can’t input .stl files. Most CAD/CAM programs have a native format that contains details of the design. After converting to .stl, most of those details have been lost.

There are programs that allow editing of .stl files. I use [Tinkercad](https://www.tinkercad.com/) for simple changes. Slicers also have some limited editing (i.e. scale, rotate, translate). There are also programs to repair .stl files like Autodesk’s Netfabb and Microsoft’s 3D Builder.

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**Author:** ![dlabosky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6f9a4e/32.png) [@dlabosky](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/dlabosky)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712/4 "2018-04-17T21:06:42Z")

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Thank you for the responses.

So how do people who improve on a Thingaverse .stl files do it?

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**Author:** ![b-morgan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/b-morgan/32/11517_2.png) [@b-morgan](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/b-morgan)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/bobcad/5712/5 "2018-04-17T22:22:38Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Thank you for the responses. So how do people who improve on a Thingaverse .stl files do it?

What kind of improvements? Give an example or two of what Thingiverse files and how you want to improve it?

I’ve used [Tinkercad](https://www.tinkercad.com/) to make modifications / improvements. For example, [ArduCam Stand remix for UC-261 Rev.D board and alternate mount by bsmorgan - Thingiverse](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2553386).