What is a dental STL?

What does STL stand for in dentistry?

The second data format that has become more important to dentistry recently is STL, which is short for stereolithography. This format has it’s origins in the fields of 3D printing and Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (sometimes referred to as CAD/CAM).

What does STL files stand for?

STL is a file format commonly used for 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD). The name STL is an acronym that stands for stereolithography — a popular 3D printing technology. You might also hear it referred to as Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tessellation Language.

How does an STL work?

An STL (Standard Tessellation Language or STereoLithography) file is a format that describes surface geometry of a 3D object without any colour, texture or other attributes. This format uses a series of linked triangles to recreate or reproduce surface geometry of the 3D model.

What is STL repair?

A typical STL file repair workflow contains the following steps: Auto-repair. The STL repair software’s wizard will attempt to fix all major errors, including holes, separate shells, and intersections. Separating shells. A mesh consists of collections of connected triangles.

How do I view a STL file?

Programs that open STL files

1. Microsoft 3D Viewer.
2. Microsoft Print 3D.
3. IMSI TurboCAD Pro.
4. GOM Inspect.
5. ideaMK STL Viewer.
6. Parametric Technology Creo.
7. Dassault Systemes CATIA.
8. MeshLab.

How big is an STL file?

For simple geometry (not a lot of curves), the file may only be a couple hundred kilobytes. For complex models, files sizes in the range of 1-5MB will produce good parts. For many geometries, files larger then 5MB are unnecessary and will often just result in more time to get your quote and parts back.

How do I open a STL file?

To open an STL file go to Start a new model and choose From a 3D file. You can browse for your file on the hard drive or drag and drop it into the browser.

Does STL have color?

STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object without any representation of color, texture or other common CAD model attributes. The STL format specifies both ASCII and binary representations.

Which is better STL or 3MF?

Why 3MF Is Better Than STL File Format



In fact, STL files only describe the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object. So in comparison to 3MF files, which can package all the data you need to 3D print a model, STLs require more work.

What is the first thing you should consider when making something in 3D?

Design balance



The size, resolution, thickness, orientation and choice of material are all important elements of a creation dedicated to 3D printing. When these factors are all considered and balanced, you are sure to get a functional part that meets your needs.

What is STL file problems?

An STL file is a file format that can be read correctly by a 3D printer. The tutorial below explains what type of STL errors can occur and why they occur. Including bad edges, near bad edges, inverted normals, holes, intersecting triangles and overlapping triangles.

How do you simplify STL?

Choose the ‘Select’ tool from the menu on the right, then double-click on your model (this will select your entire mesh). Then click on the ‘Edit…’ option and select ‘Reduce’.