Nearly all 3D printers can use and support the STL file format.Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of STL. However, several of its drawbacks also may mean it’s not always suitable for your needs. There are many advantages to using the STL file format. This means that the STL file is used to design a product or part and then printed out to test the product in different scenarios before finalising the design. STL files were initially designed to speed up the creation of scale models for rapid prototyping. Your 3D design is printed in layers to form lighter, stronger parts using STL files and CAD software.

You can use STL files in some of the following ways:ģD printing is a form of additive manufacturing (AM) - a flexible approach to industrial production. STL is renowned for its ability to transmit the geometric makeup of a 3D design and bring computer-aided designs to life. It still uses triangular tessellation to create the geometric surface of an object, storing details about each triangle, such as each different vertexes’ co-ordinates. Since its creation, the STL file format hasn’t changed much and is now considered the standard for 3D printing. The process used a computer-controlled laser beam and pre-programmed CAD software to create 3D models for rapid prototyping. STL was created by 3D Systems in 1987 as part of their stereolithography printing technology for commercial 3D printers.

stl file extension and by its lack of colour and texture. The more complex the design, the more triangles used and the higher the resolution. You might also hear it referred to as Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tessellation Language.Įach file is made up of a series of linked triangles that describe the surface geometry of a 3D model or object. The name STL is an acronym that stands for stereolithography - a popular 3D printing technology. STL is a file format commonly used for 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD).

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