STL is the standard file type used by most additive manufacturing systems.STL is a triangulated representation of a 3D CAD model (Figure 1).The triangulation (or poly count) of a surface will cause faceting of the 3D model. The parameters used for outputting a STL will affect how much faceting occurs (Figures 2 and 3). You cannot build the model smoother than the STL file.
If the STL is coarse and faceted the physical 3D printed model will be coarse and faceted as well. However, the smoother/ less faceted your surface is, (the higher the poly count or triangulation) the larger your file. 3D printing can only accept a certain file size; therefore it’s important to find a balance between your model, its desired surface, and the 3D printing process of your choice.When exporting to STL in your CAD package, you may see parameters for chord height, deviation, angle tolerance, poly count, or something similar. These are the parameters that affect the faceting of the STL. We’ve compiled tips on exporting for the best “surface: file” size ratio below.
Use Free-CAD Import / Export! STEP, IGES, OBJ, DXF, SVG, STL, DAE, IFC or OFF Seems you can use some one for SU Or Moment of inspiration but it's not the same price! But you can send me the file in MP The free 123D also 123D can IMPORT (Open) 123D, SKP, SAT,OBJ, DWG (3D solids), STP, 123C (Mesh content). How can i convert.stp files in.stl files with Fusion 360.
Preparing your filesThe following step-by-step instructions for converting CAD files to STL came from each CAD software company’s website or from 3D printing and design user forums; it’s an overall simplified step-by-step process from the greater 3D printing community. If your CAD software is not listed below or if you require additional assistance, please contact your CAD software technical support for information about exporting to an STL. Select your CAD software:3D Modeling for Beginners.3D Modeling for Engineers.3D Modeling for Artists.Don't have CAD software? SolidView is an affordable solution for non-CAD users to prepare STL files from many popular CAD formats.Tinkercad is great for 3D printing simple geometrical objects. Its interface was created with 3D printing in mind. Design Download for 3D Printing.STLSketchUp does not offer STL creation directly within the program.
Download the extension for.STL (note: this plugin is open-source and updated frequently). Download and install the plugin.
Select Tools Export to DXF or STL and select the units for your model (millimeters is recommended)Tip: SketchUp isn’t inherently built for model production therefore it’s useful to check your SketchUp file for additional feature accuracies once it’s exported from the interface. We recommend uploading your SketchUp file into (a free program from Autodesk) to check your file for faceting and fix any surface flaws.Note: We don’t recommend Sketchup for use with 3D printing as it does not export well and is best for early design sketches rather than producing physical models. Select IPro Print 3D Print Preview. Select Options and choose desired resolution and click OK. Within the preview window, select Save Copy As or Send to 3D Print Service.
Save As type to STL File (.stl)Note: The “High” setting will also produce the largest file size. From Low, Medium to High, the hairdryer sample file in Inventor went from about 6.7MB to 17.6MB to 50MB.Tip: Before finalizing your export, select the Options tab.
Within this window, you can select the resolution (faceting) for your model (High, Medium, Low and Custom) and check that your units are correct. The “High” setting will produce a large file size. Autodesk Inventor allows you to save both individual parts and assemblies in STL format, at all design levels.
Table of Contents.Importing an STL file into SketchUpTo import an STL file into SketchUp, follow these steps:. Select File Import. In the Import dialog box that opens, navigate to the STL file that you want to import and select it.
(Optional) Select STereoLithography Files (.stl) from the file type drop-down list and then click the Options button. The STL Import Options dialog box appears. (Optional) Select STereoLithography Files (.stl) from the Format drop-down list and then click the Options button. The STL Import Options dialog box appears. (Optional) Select your desired options (explained in the following list) and click OK.
You return to the Import dialog box. Click Import, and SketchUp imports the selected STL file. Tip: You can also drag and drop importable files into the drawing area. After you drop the file, the relevant Import dialog box opens so you can select your desired options.The STL Import Options dialog box enables you to make a few selections about how geometry and scale are handled when SketchUp imports your file:. Merge Coplanar Faces: In most cases, you want to select this checkbox, which merges all faces on the same plane into one face. By default, this checkbox is cleared, which preserves multiple objects on multiple layers. Preserve Drawing Origin: You likely want to clear this checkbox and let SketchUp choose an origin or reset the origin after import.
Swap YZ Coordinates: When you select this checkbox, the Y coordinate becomes the vertical coordinate. In other words, the Y axis is up instead of the Z axis. STL Units: The default unit is millimeters. You can change the units to centimeters, feet, or inches by selecting an option from the drop-down list.Exporting a SketchUp model as an STL FileTo export a SketchUp model to an STL file, first make sure that. Then follow these steps:. Select File Export 3D Model. The Export Model dialog box appears.
Navigate to the location where you want to save your exported file. (Optional) In the appropriate text box, type a name for the exported STL file. From the Save As Type drop-down list, select STereolithography File (.stl). From the Format drop-down list, select STereolithography File (.stl). (Optional) Click the Options button, and in the STL Export Options dialog box, select your desired options for the exported STL file.
(See the following list for details about each option.) Click OK when you’re done. Back in the Export Model dialog box, click Export. SketchUp exports your model to the STL format and saves the file in the location you specified.The STL Export Options dialog box enables you to choose a few options for how SketchUp renders your exported file:.
Export Only Current Selection: When you select this checkbox, SketchUp exports only the selected geometry to the STL file. This option is helpful if you want to model several parts that fit together in one SketchUp model file, but export each part to a separate 3D-printable STL file. File Format: By default, Binary is selected from the drop-down list. The other format option is ASCII.
The binary format is generally preferred because this format helps reduce the size of an STL file. Swap YZ Coordinates: By default, this checkbox is cleared.
If you select it, the Y axis becomes the vertical axis instead of the Z axis. STL Units: By default, the STL file is exported using the same units specified in the model. (To check your model’s default units, select Window Model Info and, in the Model Info window, click Units in the sidebar on the left.) You can change the units in the exported STL file to meters, centimeters, millimeters, feet, or inches.