FreeCAD: meshing to .stl with multiple bodies

[last updated: 2023-12-08]
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... needs to be cleaned up ...

• A "Mesh" is a listing in your model tree with a name ending in " (Meshed)".
  It is created in the Mesh Design WB by the "Create a mesh from shape" command.
• A ".stl" is a file on your computer, that is created when you "export" a mesh.
  The stl is equivalent, in a sense, to the mesh that you used to create it.
  That is, the stl contains the same data as the mesh, the same body parameters, just in a different format.
  The stl file will be imported into your choice of slicer software (Prusa Slicer in my case),
  to create the gCode file that your printer requires.

• When you have a drawing that contains multiple bodies,
  and you want to export a meshed .stl file for printing,
  you may want to export the whole drawing, all the bodies, at once, in one piece.

• Create mesh of each single Body:
  Select Mesh Design WB
  Select (in model tree) the body that you want to create a mesh for.
  Meshes (top menu bar) --> create mesh from shape --> OK

  
  Note a new entry is created at the bottom of the model tree.
  It will be the body name you selected, followed by " (Meshed) "

• Create a mesh of several Bodies at the same time:
  Select the first body you want to mesh.
  Hold either the shift or the control key, and select the second body.
  Continue until all the bodies that you want to mesh have been selected.
  Meshes (top menu bar) --> create mesh from shape --> OK

  
  Note new entries are created at the bottom of the model tree,
  one for each body you selected.

• Merge the Meshes:
  If you want to export a single .stl file for printing your entire assembly,
  then you must merge all the individual body/mmeshes into a single assembly.
  select them in the model tree then select Meshes --> Merge
  A new mesh will be created in the model tree.
  Export this mesh,.

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