GEM4D is a free and efficient tool for converting most wireframes from mining software — except Vulcan files.
If you have Vulcan files, use Vulcan itself or another mining software such as Datamine to first convert them into a format that GEM4D can import.
Once your files are ready, follow these steps:
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Step 1 — Import Files into GEM4D
Drag and drop, or use the Import function to load your wireframe files into GEM4D.
Make sure all the individual files you plan to export are listed as shown below.
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762486211-845762-2025-11-07-14-28-40.png) alt={TEXT?}]
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Step 2 — Rename Objects
Rename each object using its corresponding filename, as illustrated below.
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762489760-858877-2025-11-07-15-26-45.png) alt={TEXT?}]
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Step 3 — Export Scene Meshes as STL
Export all scene meshes as STL files using the menu option shown below.
Use a simple filename such as “temp”.
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762486372-785303-2025-11-07-14-31-48.png) alt={TEXT?}]
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Step 4 — Export Object Centres as CSV
Next, export the object centres as a .csv file as shown below.
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762486436-700598-2025-11-07-14-33-30.png) alt={TEXT?}]
Your folder should now contain files similar to this:
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762486775-857985-2025-11-07-14-37-01.png) alt={TEXT?}]
The centroid file should look like the following example.
Note: Object numbers in the .csv file start from 1, whereas STL filenames start from 0.
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762486877-892731-image.png) alt={TEXT?}]
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Step 5 — Rename STL Files Using Excel Macro
Use the Excel macro template available here.
This macro updates STL filenames to match the original names in GEM4D.
- Replace the “FileName” column with values from the “ObjectName” column in
Centroid.csv.
- Replace the “NewFileName” column with values from “ObjNum”, but start numbering from 0 (as noted above).
- Add the prefix “Temp” to each STL filename.
The macro setup should look like this:
(https://forum.cavroc.com/assets/files/2025-11-07/1762487635-62045-image.png) alt={TEXT?}]
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Step 6 — Run the Rename Macro
Click the “Rename Files” button (as shown above) and specify the folder containing your STL files.
The macro will automatically rename all files, and a confirmation message will appear once the process is complete.
