What is an STL File

The .STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industry's defacto standard data transmission format and is the format required to interact with 3D Printed parts. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles. The more complex the surface, the more triangles produced.

Almost all of today's CAD systems are capable of producing an STL file. For the user, the process is often as simple as selecting File, Save As, STL.

Click here to obtain the steps for producing high quality STL files from a number of today's leading CAD systems.

In all cases, export your STL file as a Binary file. This saves on time and file size.

(Please note, these are only general guidelines and may not work or produce the best possible STL file in some cases. Please consult you user's guide or the software's developers for more information or technical support. Should we determine that your STL file is not adequate for production we will contact you for an updated file.)