Can't convert my STL to Gcode

[wirlybird]

If you want to send me the STl or Sketchup file I can look at it.

[rodneumann]

If you want to send me the STl or Sketchup file I can look at it.

Thank you wirlybird for your kind offer. I'll keep it in mind if I get stuck but I think I'm off and running now. I took Jeff's advice and bought Simplify3d this morning. I just let it convert to gcode without my telling it anything except the STL file (exported from Sketchup) and the machine I have (Powerspec Ultra) and had it write the gcode to the SDcard.

The preview looked correct and so I put the SDcard in the machine and I started the print. So far, so good. I am stoked -- can't wait to see the final product.

I'm unstuck (for now ?).

The instructions that come with the printer ought to say:
1. Buy blue tape, hair spray, and purple glue.
2. Buy simplify3d software.

If I had already known to do those things, I'd have been printing days ago (well....hope I am not speaking too soon... haven't seen the first print finish yet -- but it is off to a good start).

(On the other hand, maybe all I had was a dumb error. I drew my model in INCHES in Sketchup. Maybe the slicer thought it was mm. That would have made my whole model not much bigger than the filament. Doh! I just now thought of it because Simplfy3d asked me if I wanted it in inches because otherwise the model was too tiny. But still Simplify3d is much richer and the fact it noticed an error on my part and allowed me to correct it, is worth the $150.)