Difference between revisions of "STL File Format Tips"

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The STL format does not include color, textures, or metadata (author, date of creation, etc.) of objects.
 
The STL format does not include color, textures, or metadata (author, date of creation, etc.) of objects.
  
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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, textures, etc.  
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
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:'''[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
 
:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — Import_Export STL
 
:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — 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
  
 
===Software at PPM that Exports STL===
 
===Software at PPM that Exports STL===
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:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-8C965380-4A8E-41C1-868F-4E155BEE7CBF Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Export formats
 
:'''[https://help.autodesk.com/view/MSHMXR/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-8C965380-4A8E-41C1-868F-4E155BEE7CBF Autodesk Meshmixer]''' — Export formats
 
:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — Import_Export STL
 
:[https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/files/import_export/stl.html '''Blender 4.0'''] — 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/Export.html Export] the STL file format
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:(Not Preview)
  
 
==Classes==
 
==Classes==
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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==
 
Links to member-recommended external sites:
 
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
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:'''[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]''' files and models
 
:'''[https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/ Cura slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
 
:'''[https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura/ Cura slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
 
:'''[https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer Orca Slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
 
:'''[https://github.com/SoftFever/OrcaSlicer Orca Slicer]''' — alternative to PrusaSlicer
 +
 
==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.
 
{{Template:Footer}}
 
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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}}
 

Latest revision as of 19:23, 26 April 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, etc.) of objects.

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, textures, etc.

 


Tips

Software at PPM that previews STL

Visual Studio Code (with extension)
MediaWiki (with 3D Extension)
(not Adobe Bridge)
Preview (macOS) — on Wikipedia
(Procreate supports only OBJ and USD.)

Software at PPM that Imports STL

Autodesk Fusion — Open designs
Autodesk Meshmixer — Import formats
Blender 4.0 — Import_Export STL
Mathematica — Import the STL file format

Software at PPM that Exports STL

Autodesk Fusion — Export designs
Autodesk Meshmixer — Export formats
Blender 4.0 — Import_Export STL
Mathematica — Export the STL file format
(Not Preview)

Classes

PPM announces its Upcoming events, including classes, on Meetup

Training — PPM Trainer(s) needed

Links to external sites:

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

Member Showcase



For even more member projects, visit our #showcase channel on Slack, or follow our social media links.

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
Autodesk Online Gallery, Cults 3D, GrabCAD, or Thingiverse files and models
Cura slicer — alternative to PrusaSlicer
Orca Slicer — alternative to PrusaSlicer

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.
PPM Tool Color Map — Interactive
Search the PPM Wiki — include both Content pages and Multimedia
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki, or you notice something 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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