3D Printing: What To Know About STL Files

When it comes to 3D printing, the most common digital image file format you will find is an STL file which comes with a ‘.stl’ extension. And just like every 3D printing enthusiast, you too would be eager to know a bit more about it.

1. 3D Printing: What To
Know About STL Files

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When it comes to 3D printing, the most
/ common digital image file format you will

find is an STL file which comes with a
* ‘stl’ extension. And just like every 3D
> printing enthusiast, you too would be
TI eager to know a bit more about it.
Here we have brought a detailed guide on
STL files and some of their major aspects
in terms of 3D printing.

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3. What are STL Files?

4. How STI Files Store

3D Models?

STL files are used to encode 3D objects’ surface
geometry by a process known as tessellation.
And to know better about this process, we ought
to know it in a bit detail:

If a surface has one or more than
one geometric shapes, the process of tilting the
surface to prevent any gaps or overlaps is known
as Tessellation. For example- a tiled floor or a
surface.

5. How Are STL

Files Printed?

1. In order to 3D print an STL file, you need to open itin a
dedicated slicer software which is a kind of 3D software that
transforms digital models into printing directives for a 3D printer.
2. This slicer software slices your STL file into thousands of
horizontal and flat layers (depending upon your settings) and also
calculates the time required to print the object and the amount of
material needed etc.

3. This entire information is then wrapped into a GCode file which
is the language understood by your 3D printer.

4. Once the GCode files get uploaded to the 3D printer, it is then
that the 3D layers are reassembled into 3D objects in the print bed
of a 3D printer.

5. The successive layers of printing material are deposited one
over the other, till it forms the desired 3D object.

6. Can You 3D-Print

All Kinds Of STL
Files?

Even if it is an STL file, it is not a guarantee to get 3D printed. In fact, it is just the carrier
of certain data and would not be accepted by a 3D printer if it is not fully fit.
3D models generally have a minimum outer wall thickness and a watertight geometry.
Therefore, while you download an STL file or you create it yourself by scanning a model
through a 3D scanner, ensure to find it 3D printable.

7. Alternatives To

STL Files

Just as you have various alternatives to
your desktop 3D printer, you have other
file formats too for 3D printing (around 30).
Apart from STL, the most common one
used is OBJ file format which is capable of
storing texture profiles and colors too.
Besides, you can use the PLY (Polygon
File Format) and 3MF file formats which
are amongst the best file formats known till
date.

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How To Know If An

STL File Is Needed?

Though STL is so popular, the fact is that you
cannot always use STL files to print the 3D objects.
For instance, if you wish to print objects that have
multiple materials or the ones which need to be
printed in a number of colors, STL files are not the
correct format. For these, you could use OBJ
formats which will help you with the choice of
colors and materials etc.

Get the best 3D printerfrom a reliable 3D printer store such as ‘3D
Printers Online Store’ and never forget getting the best file formats

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