There is a rapidly increasing technology in recent years, 3D printer. According to many, 3D printers will shape the world of the future. The system is simple; You model the product you want to produce from these printers on different software and transfer it to the printer and watch it being produced with the right material. Here is the file where these prepared models are stored. It is an STL file format with the stl extension.
The STL file format stores basic information about 3D models. The reason why STL files are so widely used is that they are supported by almost all CAD design programs and 3D printers. You can even find many ready-made models in this file format. Let’s take a closer look at what an STL file is, how to open it, which programs and websites are used.
What is an STL file?
. The STL file with the stl extension is a file format that stores the basic information of 3D product models to be produced in 3D printers. An STL file basically defines only the basic external geometric structure of the product, not the attributes of the 3D product such as color and texture. This STL file is produced as a product of the modeling process by computer aided design programs.
The STL file is the most commonly used file format for 3D object models. This is because; Since it is supported by many different CAD design programs, it can directly communicate with a 3D printer when opened through a program. In most cases, both the initial and final information of a 3D model can be stored in an STL file.
What is the STL file for, how did it come about?
Although it has become widespread in recent years, we first met with 3D printers in 1987. The printer’s inventor, Chuck Hull, was looking for a way to transfer 3D models to this printer when he realized he could use tessellation. In other words, whatever the object was, there would be mosaics on it that would reveal its shape.
Developed by Hull, this system is still used today. STL file is also the best way to store this geometric structure prepared with mosaics. Since attributes such as color and texture are not stored in the STL file, STL files are not used in 3D printers that print in color. However, if the mosaics are processed correctly in the STL file, absolutely flawless products will emerge.
STL file download process:
STL file is a file obtained at the end of the design process. But you don’t necessarily have to be a designer to have a 3D model. You can access 3D product models in STL file format with Thingiverse and similar websites, which you can access via the link here. If you have a 3D printer, you can produce the model you see with one click.
How to open STL file?
If all you want is to open and view an STL file, there are many different programs and website services you can use for this. Some of the programs you can use to open STL files are;
- ViewSTL to open STL files online
- GLC Player for download if you open STL files frequently
- Print 3D available in Windows 10 and 11 operating system versions
- MacOS X Preview available on macOS
In addition to these programs, it is possible to open STL files in all STL supported programs that provide 3D design services. If you want to edit STL files, you can use programs such as FreeCad, Autodesk Meshmixer and SketchUp.
STL conversion process:
- You can use the Ultimaker Cura program or the MakePrintable website to convert the STL file to G-Code script.
- You can use Fusion 360 program to convert STL file to STEP CAD file format.
- You can use Blender program to convert STL file to DXF and DWG vector data file.
- You can use MeshConvert website to convert STL file to OBJ file format.
We answered the questions such as what is the STL file that stores the 3D model information of the objects to be produced in 3D printers, how to open it, how to convert it, and we talked about some details you need to know about this file format that we should gradually get used to. You can share your thoughts about the future of 3D printers in the comments.
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