How to add bevels to STLs

This is the workflow I've found for adding chamfers and fillets to existing STL files.

Why?:

• Solvespace and OpenSCAD can't do chamfers or fillets
• The mesh of an STL might not let Blender easily make bevels

Remeshing with Blender

1. Import the STL in Blender
2. Apply Remesh > Sharp modifier
   • increase octree depth until shape is healthy
   • Apply
3. Apply Decimate > Collapse modifier
   • this will make the next step less computationally expensive
   • Apply
4. Apply Decimate > Planar modifier
   • this should get us most of the way to a bevel friendly mesh
   • Apply

Tidying up

To tidy up squiggly edges:

1. Enter Edit mode (Tab-key)
2. Use vertex selection (1-key)
3. Select vertices
4. Merge them (M-key)

Making bevels easier with MESHmachine

For chamfers and fillets MESHmachine is a godsend and well worth the 40$.

• selecting relevant edges is dead easy thanks to LSelect
• Unf*ck helps resolve dodgy Blender bevels