Create an STL File
Stereolithography files (*.STL) can be exported from most 3D applications on the market today. As a general rule, changing options such Chord Tolerance, Surface Deviation, or Angular Control will change the resolution on your STL file. The larger the STL file, the more triangles placed on the surface of the model. To produce good parts, typically complex models exported in the STL format should be in the range of 1-5MB in file size.
Fig. 1 shows the original 10mm CAD sphere
Fig. 2 displays a triangulated STL sphere with 0.5mm surface deviation
Fig. 4 shows the same sphere with a 0.1mm surface deviation
See the list below for more infomation on how to create an STL file from your aplication.
Alibre »
AutoCAD »
Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.
Make sure the model is in positive space
Set “Facetres” to 10
At the command prompt type “STLOUT”
Select Objects
Choose “Y” for Binary
Choose Filename
More Information:
http://www.autodesk.com/SpaceClaim »
Save As
Save as type: STL
Select "Options..."
Format = Binary
Choose whether design, component or body
Under the Resolution box pick "fine" as a minimum.
(we recommend Custom with the first slider at "0.4mm", the second set to "5" or less)
Click OK
CADKey »
Choose Stereolithography from Export options
Enter the filename
Click OK
More Information:
www.cadkey.com/I-DEAS »
File > Export > Rapid Prototype File > OK
Select the Part to be Prototyped
Select Prototype Device > SLA500.dat > OK
Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395
Select Binary > OK
Inventor »
IronCAD »
Right Click on the part
Part Properties > Rendering
Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
File > Export
Choose .STL
More Information:
http://www.ironcad.com/Mechanical Desktop »
Make sure you SAVE your work before attempting this procedure.
Set the FACETRES = 6 (As above in AutoCAD instructions)
You will have to "Explode" your parametric solid to export an .stl output (NOTE: DO NOT SAVE your work after "Exploding")
Use the STLOUT command to export your STL file.
More Information:
http://www.autodesk.com/Pro-E »
File > Save a Copy
Set type to STL
Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
Set Angle Control to 1
Choose File Name
OK
More Information:
http://www.ptc.com/Rhino »
File > Save As
Select File Type > STL
Enter a name for the STL file.
Save
Select Binary STL Files
More Information:
http://www.rhino3d.com/SolidDesigner »
File > External > Save STL
Select Binary mode
Select Part
Enter 0.001mm for Max Deviation Distance
Click OK
SolidEdge »
File > Save As
Set Save As Type to STL
Options
Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in or 0.0254mm.
Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00
6. Save
More Information:
http://www.solid-edge.com/SolidWorks »
Think3 »
Unigraphics »
File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
Set Output type to Binary
Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
Set Auto Normal Gen to On
Set Normal Display to Off
Set Triangle Display to On
Process Selection
