HIGH ![]() | ![]() | |
| Name | STereoLithography | Drawing Exchange Format |
| File extension | .stl | .dxf |
| Original software | AutoCAD | |
| Binary | ■ | |
| ASCII | ■ | ■ |
| Polygonal | ■ | |
| NURBS | ■ | |
| Solids | ■ | |
| Smoothing groups | ■ | |
| Textures, materials | ■ | |
| Developer/Owner | Autodesk | |
| Description | ||
| Specification | The StL Format | |
| 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 | Despite the « two-dimensional » AutoCAD specialization, it is possible to create solid models. Autodesk itself for three-dimensional modeling software promotes Inventor |
| Viewing software | GLC_Player (free), MeshLab (free) | DWG TrueView (free), DWGSee (free) |