![]() STL files contain three dimensional coordinates organized into sets of three along with a normal vector – each of these sets, or vertices (corners) of the triangle, has an orientation normal to the plane that is described by the triangle’s three points. ![]() ![]() It is almost certain you have come across an STL file before if you have ever used a 3D printer or designed something for 3D printing – but did you know not all STLs are the same? As a matter of fact, you can design a 3D model that meets your functional requirements, and then create an STL file from that model that will create out-of-spec parts.Īn STL file is simply a series of triangles that (usually) form a mesh that approximates a 3D model’s continuous surfaces. Have you ever 3D printed a part that had flat spots or faceted surfaces where smooth curves were supposed to be? Or maybe you’ve just seen a picture of a 3D print that looked like it belonged in some low-resolution CGI from the 90’s? You are not alone, and it’s not your 3D printer’s fault - the culprit is likely a lack of resolution in the STL file that was used to create the part!Īs the standard file format for taking 3D model files into a slicing program for 3D printing in preparation for actual printing, STL files were originally created to be used with stereolithography 3D printing in the late 1980’s (STL stands for Stereolithography).
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