What is STL data?

What is an STL file used 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.

What does STL mean in design?

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 format explain in detail?

File Format Specifications

An STL file represents a surface geometry using facets. The facets define the surface of a 3D object and is uniquely identified by a unit normal, which is a line perpendicular to the triangle with length of 1.0, and by three vertices.

What opens an STL file?

STL files can be opened by three categories of software; Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, Slicer Software, and Mesh Editing software.

Is STL a CAD file?

These files are typically created by a computer-aided design (CAD) program as an end product of the 3D modeling process. You can identify STL files by the “. stl” file extension.

How do you make an STL?

Once you have optimized your part using the above steps, it is ready to export as an STL file.

1. Download the 3D Print Exporter Plugin from ZBrush.
2. Select the ZPlugin menu.
3. Click 3D Print Exporter.
4. Define and scale your dimensions.
5. Select STL > STL Export.
6. Save.

What does PLA stand for?

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a type of plastic that is used in building models and prototypes of solid objects and components. It is a thermoplastic polyester that serves as the raw material in 3-D printing or additive manufacturing processes and applications.

How do I open STL files on my phone?

Associates with STL files which could be opened directly from Gmail, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

1. Open one or more STL files via the app’s internal file browser or directly from an external app.
2. Press and hold your finger on a 3D model to select it.
3. Go to File –> 3D Print –> Upload –> Go to Treatstock.

What is full form of STL?

Identification and description. Full name. STL (STereoLithography) File Format Family. Also referred to as “Standard Triangle Language” and “Standard Tessellation Language.”

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.

What programs work with STL files?

7 of the best free STL file editors

• MeshLab. MeshLab is a very complete free and open source program to edit your STL files. …
• SketchUp. SketchUp, which used to be called Google SketchUp, is a 3D modeling software that now belongs to the architectural company Trimble Buildings. …
• SculptGL. SculptGL is a free 3D sculpting tool.

How do I view a 3D file?

Need to view 3D files online? Just install the software OBJ Viewer To begin viewing 3D files, simply do the following Install the extension OBJ Viewer Click on the extension icon Choose the 3D file you wish to open Begin viewing your 3D files online today! This 3D viewer works for both STL and OBJ file formats.

How do I view 3D print files?

To view STL files in Paint 3D, click on the Open button on the welcome screen and then browse and import an STL file to it. You will be able to view the model contained in the STL file using various 3D visualization tools. You can quickly Toggle to 3D view mode to visualize the 3D model.