We can email it, download it and transfer it with remarkable ease because it only contains the basic shape of the generated surfaces and their coordinates understood by the 3D printer. STL files are simple, light and very easy to handle by software and machines. Since an STL model only contains an approximation of the original 3D model and not the model itself, it’s often easier to start a model from scratch than to modify an existing STL file. What are disadvantages of STL files?Ī major disadvantage of an STL file is that it can be very hard to edit outside of simple scaling of the model. You are pretty much limited to the following actions: Scaling (The entire model along three independent axis) Breaking the model into parts/chunks. Unfortunately, there is no simple method for modifying specific features of an STL. It’s highly compatible with other CAD software, making it one of the most commonly used formats around. DWG is the native file format of AutoCAD that can store both 2D and 3D data. While some CAD programs are able to import STL files, AutoCAD users will know that it isn’t possible with this software. Save this file to your drive with a name such as BB.

On the Files tab of the Preferences dialog box, under File Handling, select the “Compress On Save” check box. Every 2X decrease in surface polygon/pixel density should yield roughly a 4X decrease in file size. Reduce your vertex count by collapsing adjacent vertices that are close together or coplanar, and reduce your image data by trimming out, scaling down, or using a lower bit depth for unnecessary details. Common tasks such as checking if the geometry represents a solid 3D volume cannot be carried out robustly without correct connectivity information. STL format actually stores less information than other file formats despite using more space.

Stl file size reducer online