Name | STereoLithography | Initial Graphics Exchange Specification |
File extension | .stl | .igs, .iges |
Original software | ||
Binary | ■ | |
ASCII | ■ | ■ |
Polygonal | ■ | |
NURBS | ■ | |
Solids | ||
Smoothing groups | ■ | |
Textures, materials | ||
Developer/Owner | U.S. National Bureau of Standards | |
Description | ||
Specification | The StL Format | Download PDF |
Format features | 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 | Universal open interchange NURBS-surfaces format. Along with STEP - one of the most popular |
Viewing software | GLC_Player (free), MeshLab (free) | Delcam Exchange 2012 (free), eDrawings (free) |