# Exporting markup plane as an stl model

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [September 8, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621 "2023-09-08T17:46:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mohammed\_alshakhas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/mohammed_alshakhas/32/10025_2.png) [@mohammed\_alshakhas](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mohammed_alshakhas)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 5:46pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/1 "2023-09-08T17:46:21Z")

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is it possible to export a plane as an STL model?

my reason is that I can fit a pLane as a guide for surgical correction in 3dslicer since I can visualize volume rendering with models. but I still need to finish my workflow in other software like Meshmixer and Freeform.

i could not figure out a way to export the plane as an STL.

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**Author:** ![mau\_igna\_06](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/mau_igna_06/32/9056_2.png) [@mau\_igna\_06](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mau_igna_06)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 6:17pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/2 "2023-09-08T18:17:49Z")

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Hi

Please check:  
[https://vtk.org/doc/nightly/html/classvtkPlaneSource.html](https://vtk.org/doc/nightly/html/classvtkPlaneSource.html)  
And first part of this:  
[https://slicer.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developer\_guide/script\_repository.html#create-segmentation-from-a-model-node](https://slicer.readthedocs.io/en/latest/developer_guide/script_repository.html#create-segmentation-from-a-model-node)

Replace the sphere by the plane

Hope it helps

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**Author:** ![mohammed\_alshakhas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/mohammed_alshakhas/32/10025_2.png) [@mohammed\_alshakhas](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mohammed_alshakhas)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/3 "2023-09-08T18:29:18Z")

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unfortunately, I have no ability to code. was hoping there is a direct way from slicer

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**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 9:14pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/4 "2023-09-08T21:14:33Z")

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> [@mohammed\_alshakhas](#):
>
> I still need to finish my workflow in other software like Meshmixer and Freeform

What do you need to do in Meshmixer and Freeform?

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**Author:** ![mohammed\_alshakhas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/mohammed_alshakhas/32/10025_2.png) [@mohammed\_alshakhas](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mohammed_alshakhas)\
**Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:55pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/5 "2023-09-08T23:55:37Z")

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I do the following  
Models registration ( tried and failed in 3d slicer )  
Osteotomies ( crazy simple in meshmixer)  
Transformation ( which I hate doing in 3d slicer for it’s difficult control )  
Creation of surgical guides

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lassoan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/lassoan/32/13_2.png) [@lassoan](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/lassoan)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2023, 10:59am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/6 "2023-09-09T10:59:25Z")

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Thank you this is useful.

What museum registering methods have you tried?

Have you tried Dynamic modeler module for osteotomy?

By transformation you mean translating/rotating a model in 3D view by click-and-dragging arrows? How do you determine the curve position?

What kind of surgical guides do you create - plates, cutting guides,…? Fire what clinical procedures? Have you tried the [Bone Reconstruction Planner extension](https://github.com/SlicerIGT/SlicerBoneReconstructionPlanner)? There are also other extensions that allow you to create osteotomies and surgical plans and even real-time guidance during the procedure.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mohammed\_alshakhas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/mohammed_alshakhas/32/10025_2.png) [@mohammed\_alshakhas](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mohammed_alshakhas)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2023, 11:24am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/exporting-markup-plane-as-an-stl-model/31621/7 "2023-09-09T11:24:23Z")

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a single osteotomy has 3 or 4 planes. That makes it so hard to do in most software except for ones designed for clinicians with presets. however, the way I do it in meshmixer is by selecting brush and then “separate” action. which is very detailed and quick. Actually, it is done better in Meshmixer compared to the specific clinical software I use for my cases. ( IPS case designer )

 ![Screenshot 2023-09-09 at 14.22.17](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/b/e/be80c2c85666bdf6f51146a310c4d0ea148e9ac2.jpeg)

 ![Screenshot 2023-09-09 at 14.22.10](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/slicer/original/3X/0/0/002783f15222cbdd0212ac52666a4787a7432d5d.jpeg)

(The one done in the picture took less than 1 minute to perform osteotomy )

I tried using Easy Clip and Osteotomy Planner and couldn’t use them well (Osteotomy Planner crashes 100% of the time )

the method I use for registration is by making the fixed segment as a magnet, then brushing the moving segment in characteristic areas. then using the align to target tool ( another robust tool in mesh mixer that I didn’t see any other software does better )

for the guides, I use mostly osteotomy guides. for chin osteotomy for example. since this osteotomy is almost never symmetrical in real life, guides are very helpful. This process requires many other tools for CAD and model editing