Printing parts from Ldraw part database

[Andrew L]

Hi!
I tried converting some parts from LDraw to STL and printing them on the 3d printer.
I encountered a problem that all pinholes are too small, doesn't matter which part i use. Part size, however, is precise compared to existing parts (so i know it's not printer being buggy).
I have then found same parts elsewhere that print and that are compatible with other Lego bricks i've got.
Wonder if there's anything obvious i'm missing out while converting ldraw library parts to stl and printing.

Thanks and sorry if it's a noob question, i just have a line of children waiting for missing parts

[Philippe Hurbain]

LDraw models are meant for display usages, not manufacturing ones ?
So they contain many approximations that don't hinder their display usages, but are not precise enough to get good mechanical properties. For example pin holes are modeled as 16-sided prisms instead of true cylinders. That's enough to cause pin insertion problems!

[Andrew L]

LDraw models are meant for display usages, not manufacturing ones ?
So they contain many approximations that don't hinder their display usages, but are not precise enough to get good mechanical properties. For example pin holes are modeled as 16-sided prisms instead of true cylinders. That's enough to cause pin insertion problems!

That explains it, thanks.
The models are quite close though and i think that if base parts could be tweaked, then the usage model can be extended to hobby printing too  
Don't mind the 16-sided prism, the printer makes it quite close to a cylinder, so pin insertion is not such big of a problem. The radius of the cylinder and the inner spacing of the axle hole, however are a blocker