What the heck is an STL file?

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posted in Community by wheelbox

Ok, 3D noob here. Can someone help me understand what an STL file is and how does it work with 3D printing?

I'd google it but I don't even really know where to start. And you guys seem like a smart group to ask.

THANKS for your help.

10 years, 3 months ago

aeg - Best analogy for STL is what PDF file for usual 2D paper prints. STL is common format used to store 3D models.
You can find software to view/edit these. Most of 3D editing software (solid editing) allow editing this files or import/export these.

10 years, 3 months ago

jaberman - A .stl file is a very universal 3D file that is used mainly for 3D printing. It is a file which contains the information about the vertices or points on a model and also the faces. A lot of programs can view .stl files such as blender, repetier host, there are some good ones too. The .stl file is the volume of the model. When you slice a model, it takes the .stl file and makes lines that fill it up. The lines are called g-code. G-code lines are made up of directions and speeds. The printer interprets the g-code file as movements for the x, y and z axis. That's my basic understanding at least. Hope it helps!

10 years, 3 months ago

wheelbox - Thanks so much for your responses. So all 3D printers can read these STLs? All 3D printers change the stl into g-code?

10 years, 2 months ago

show 2 more comments

nyl0cke - No, you have a separate program on your computer known as a slicing engine, like Cura, Slic3r, Skeinforge, KISSSlicer, etc, that interprets the mesh of the stl or obj file you give it and does the conversions into g-code based on parameters you set, layer height, speed, extrusion, etc. then you can either send it over serial with a host app like Repetier host, Pronterface, Cura, etc, or load it onto an SD card and print from there. The electronics and firmware process and interpret the g-code into machine movements and things like that.

10 years, 2 months ago

anny0 - Can anyone recommend a good pdf to excel converter for me?

1 year, 2 months ago

lisa3 - A similar need may arise for all users of PDF files. So hurry up and visit https://business-review.eu/tech/online/how-to-convert-pdf-to-excel-with-pdfplatform-com-240830 here for a fast and reliable conversion solution. You can follow the simple instructions in the article and get the result. But the main thing is that the use of the pdfplatform tool is completely free, which will allow you to solve your important work tasks at any time.

1 year, 2 months ago