How to create .STL files from your CAD software

Use these easy-to-follow instructions to create a quality .STL file from the most popular CAD software products.

NOTE: Your design must be a 3D solid object to output an .STL file. Export your .STL file as a binary file to save time and minimize file size for transfer.

Pro/ENGINEER 2001/Wildfire

1. FILE > SAVE A COPY
2. CHOOSE FILE TYPE > STL
3. OK
4. Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by a minimum acceptable value.
5. Set angle control to 1.
6. OK

Pro/ENGINEER (other versions)

1. FILE > EXPORT > MODEL
2. .STL
3. Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by a minimum acceptable value.
4. Set angle control to 1.
5. OK

SolidWorks 2001

1. FILE > SAVE AS > Set SAVE AS type to .STL
2. STL OPTIONS > Set quality to FINE.
3. OK
4. SAVE > YES

SolidWorks (other versions)

1. TOOLS > OPTIONS > EXPORT
2. .STL OPTIONS
3. Set quality to FINE.
4. FlLE > SAVE AS
5. Set SAVE AS type to .STL
6. SAVE

AutoCAD

1. Set facetres to 10.
2. Use the "STLOUT" command to export your .STL file.

I-DEAS

1. FILE > EXPORT > RAPID PROTOTYPE FILE > OK
2. Select the part to be prototyped.
3. Select PROTOTYPE DEVICE > SLA500.DAT > OK
4. Set ABSOLUTE FACET DEVIATION to 0.000395.
5. SELECT BINARY > OK

IronCAD

1. PART PROPERTIES > RENDERING
2. Set FACET SURFACE SMOOTHING to 150.
3. FILE > EXPORT
4. CHOOSE .STL

Mechanical Desktop

1. Use the AMSTLOUT COMMAND to export your .STL file.
2. The following command line options affect the quality of the .STL and should be adjusted to produce an acceptable file:
   • Angular tolerance: This command limits the angle between the normals of adjacent triangles. The default setting is 15 degrees. Reducing the angle will increase the resolution of the .STL file.
   • Aspect ratio: This setting controls the height/width ratio of the facets. A setting of 1 means the height of the facet is no greater than its width. The default setting is 0, ignored.
   • Surface tolerance: This setting controls the greatest distance between the edge of a facet and the actual geometry. A setting of 0.0000 causes this option to be ignored.
   • Vertex spacing: This option controls the length of the edge of a facet. The default setting is 0.0000, ignored.

Solid Designer

1. FILE > EXTERNAL > SAVE .STL
2. Select BINARY MODE
3. Select part.
4. Enter filename.
5. Enter maximum deviation distance of .01 MM.
6. OK

Solid Edge

1. FILE > SAVE AS
2. Set SAVE AS TYPE to .STL
3. OPTIONS
4. Set CONVERSION TOLERANCE to 0.001 inch or .0254 MM.
5. Set SURFACE PLANE ANGLE to 45.00.
6. SAVE

Unigraphics

1. FILE > EXPORT > RAPID PROTOTYPING
2. Set OUTPUT TYPE to BINARY.
3. Set TRIANGLE TOLERANCE to 0.0025.
4. Set ADJACENCY TOLERANCE to 0.12.
5. Set AUTO NORMAL GEN to ON.
6. Set NORMAL DISPLAY to OFF.
7. Set TRIANGLE DISPLAY to ON.