Difference between revisions of "STL File Format Tips"

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'''STL is an acronym that stands for stereolithography''', a method to approximate the surface geometry of a 3D model exclusively with triangles.
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'''STL is an acronym that stands for stereolithography''', a method to approximate the surface geometry of a 3D model exclusively with triangles.
  
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This file format is commonly used in 3D Printing, and it is commonly generated by Computer Aided Design (CAD) software or a 3D scanner.
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This file format is commonly used in 3D Printing, and it is commonly generated by Computer Aided Design (CAD) software or a 3D scanner.
  
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The STL format does not include color, textures, or metadata (author, date of creation, etc.) of objects.
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The STL format does not include color, textures, or metadata (author, date of creation, and other "data about data").
  
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STL is a very common file format, but alternative formats include OBJ and STEP.
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STL is a very common file format. Alternative formats include OBJ and STEP.
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Alternatives to STL are 3MF and USDZ, both of which can include colors and textures.  
 
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<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em; background:#ff6c00; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
 
<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em; background:#ff6c00; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
 
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==Tips==
 
==Tips==
  
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===Software at PPM that previews STL===
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===Export STL files with software at PPM===
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:Visual Studio Code (with extension)
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:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ASM-EXPORT-DESIGN Autodesk Fusion]''' — Export designs
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:'''[[mediawikiwiki:Extension:3D|MediaWiki (with 3D Extension)]]'''
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:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-8C965380-4A8E-41C1-868F-4E155BEE7CBF Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Export formats
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:(not Adobe Bridge)
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:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender'''] — Import_Export STL
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:[[wikipedia:Preview_(macOS)|'''Preview (macOS)''']] — on Wikipedia
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:'''[https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/stl-file.html#how-to-create-and-edit-an-stl-file Adobe Photoshop]''' — create and edit an STL file
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:(Procreate supports only OBJ and USD.)
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:'''[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/format/STL.html Mathematica]''' — [https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Export.html Export] the STL file format
  
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===Software at PPM that Imports STL===
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===Import STL files with software at PPM===
 
:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ASM-OPEN-FUSION-DESIGN Autodesk Fusion]''' — Open designs
 
:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ASM-OPEN-FUSION-DESIGN Autodesk Fusion]''' — Open designs
 
:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-D11FDE6E-0279-4909-9B9C-1E115506ED9B Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Import formats
 
:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-D11FDE6E-0279-4909-9B9C-1E115506ED9B Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Import formats
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:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — Import_Export STL
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:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender'''] — Import_Export STL
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:'''[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/format/STL.html Mathematica]''' — "[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Import.html Import] and [https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Export.html Export] fully support the STL file format."
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:'''[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/format/STL.html Mathematica]''' — [https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Import.html Import] the STL file format
  
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===Software at PPM that Exports STL===
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===Preview STL files with software at PPM===
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:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=ASM-EXPORT-DESIGN Autodesk Fusion]''' — Export designs
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:[[wikipedia:Preview_(macOS)|'''Preview (macOS)''']] — on Wikipedia
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:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-8C965380-4A8E-41C1-868F-4E155BEE7CBF Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Export formats
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:Visual Studio Code (with extension)
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:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — Import_Export STL
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:(Procreate supports only OBJ and USD.)
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:'''[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/format/STL.html Mathematica]''' — "[https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Import.html Import] and [https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Export.html Export] fully support the STL file format."
 
  
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==Classes==
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==Training==
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PPM announces its [https://www.meetup.com/pikespeakmakerspace/events '''Upcoming events, including classes, on Meetup''']
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'''Links to external sites:'''
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==Training — PPM Trainer(s) needed==
 
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Links to external sites:
 
 
:'''[https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/stl-file.html STL files]''' — on Adobe.com
 
:'''[https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/file-types/image/vector/stl-file.html STL files]''' — on Adobe.com
 
:'''[[wikipedia:STL_(file_format)|STL (file format)]]''' — on Wikipedia
 
:'''[[wikipedia:STL_(file_format)|STL (file format)]]''' — on Wikipedia
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==Member Showcase==
 
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{{Template:Showcase_blurb}}
 
  
 
==Related Pages==
 
==Related Pages==
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Links to related PPM Wiki pages:
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'''Links to related PPM Wiki pages:'''
 
:'''[[PrusaSlicer Tips]]'''
 
:'''[[PrusaSlicer Tips]]'''
 
:'''[[Lychee Slicer Tips]]'''
 
:'''[[Lychee Slicer Tips]]'''
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:[[3D Printing|<span style="color:#000000; background:#EE9F21">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3D Printing — Filament (FDM)'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
 
:[[3D Printing|<span style="color:#000000; background:#EE9F21">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3D Printing — Filament (FDM)'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
 
:[[3D Printing -- Resin|<span style="color:#000000; background:#EE9F21">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3D Printing — Resin (SLA)'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
 
:[[3D Printing -- Resin|<span style="color:#000000; background:#EE9F21">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''3D Printing — Resin (SLA)'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
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:[[Computers|<span style="color:#000000; background:#D0DD27">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Computers'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
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:[[Computers|<span style="color:#000000; background:#D0DD27">&nbsp;&nbsp;'''Computers — Windows'''&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>]]
  
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==Curated Links==
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==Hand-Curated Links==
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Links to member-recommended external sites:
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'''Links to member-recommended external sites:'''
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:Download files and models from '''[https://www.autodesk.com/community/gallery/ Autodesk Online Gallery], [https://cults3d.com/en Cults 3D]''', '''[https://grabcad.com/library GrabCAD]''', or '''[https://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse]'''
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:'''[https://www.stlfinder.com// STLFinder]''' — search engine for free 3d models
 
:'''[https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/ Cura slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
 
:'''[https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/ Cura slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
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:'''[https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer Orca Slicer]''' -— alternative to PrusaSlicer
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:'''[https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer Orca Slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
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'''Links to files and models:'''
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:'''[https://www.autodesk.com/community/gallery/ Autodesk Online Gallery]'''
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:'''[https://cults3d.com/en Cults 3D]'''
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:'''[https://grabcad.com/library GrabCAD]'''
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:'''[https://www.thingiverse.com/ Thingiverse]'''
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==For Additional Help==
 
==For Additional Help==
 
:Use the PPM Slack channel #computing
 
:Use the PPM Slack channel #computing
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:Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the&nbsp;community.
 
:Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the&nbsp;community.
 
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{{Template:Ideas into reality}}
 
<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em; background:#ff6c00; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
 
<p style="padding:0.2em 0.4em; background:#ff6c00; color:#FFFFFF; font-size:15%;"> &nbsp; </p>
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[[Category:Software]]
 
[[Category:Software]]
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[[Category:Volunteers Needed]]
 
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{{Template:Ideas into reality}}
 

Revision as of 21:47, 10 November 2024

STL is an acronym that stands for stereolithography, a method to approximate the surface geometry of a 3D model exclusively with triangles.

This file format is commonly used in 3D Printing, and it is commonly generated by Computer Aided Design (CAD) software or a 3D scanner.

The STL format does not include color, textures, or metadata (author, date of creation, and other "data about data").

STL is a very common file format. Alternative formats include OBJ and STEP.

Alternatives to STL are 3MF and USDZ, both of which can include colors and textures.

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.

 


burst of white rays on orange background

Tips

Export STL files with software at PPM

Autodesk Fusion — Export designs
Autodesk Meshmixer — Export formats
Blender — Import_Export STL
Adobe Photoshop — create and edit an STL file
Mathematica — Export the STL file format

Import STL files with software at PPM

Autodesk Fusion — Open designs
Autodesk Meshmixer — Import formats
Blender — Import_Export STL
Mathematica — Import the STL file format

Preview STL files with software at PPM

Preview (macOS) — on Wikipedia
Visual Studio Code (with extension)
(Procreate supports only OBJ and USD.)

Training

Links to external sites:

STL files — on Adobe.com
STL (file format) — on Wikipedia

Related Pages

Links to related PPM Wiki pages:

PrusaSlicer Tips
Lychee Slicer Tips
Autodesk Fusion Tips
Adobe Photoshop Tips
Blender Tips
Visual Studio Code Tips
USDZ File Format Tips
GitHub Tips
  3D Printing — Filament (FDM)  
  3D Printing — Resin (SLA)  
  Computers — Windows  

Hand-Curated Links

Links to member-recommended external sites:

STLFinder — search engine for free 3d models
Cura slicer — alternative to PrusaSlicer
Orca Slicer — alternative to PrusaSlicer

Links to files and models:

Autodesk Online Gallery
Cults 3D
GrabCAD
Thingiverse

For Additional Help

Use the PPM Slack channel #computing
List of all PPM Slack channels
Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.

Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.

Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.

Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative processes by providing shared space, shared tools, materials, software, and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.

 

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