LOW ![]() | ![]() | |
| Name | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification | STereoLithography |
| File extension | .igs, .iges | .stl |
| Original software | ||
| Binary | ■ | |
| ASCII | ■ | ■ |
| Polygonal | ■ | |
| NURBS | ■ | |
| Solids | ||
| Smoothing groups | ■ | |
| Textures, materials | ||
| Developer/Owner | U.S. National Bureau of Standards | |
| Description | ||
| Specification | Download PDF | The StL Format |
| Format features | Universal open interchange NURBS-surfaces format. Along with STEP - one of the most popular | One of the most ubiquitous exchange formats polygonal geometry between CAD-systems. Can have both binary and ASCII-structure, which is why the same file can vary in size tenfold. See also PLY |
| Viewing software | Delcam Exchange 2012 (free), eDrawings (free) | GLC_Player (free), MeshLab (free) |