3D Printing STL files: Introduction
The eighth chapter of the 3D printing – the complete guide, is meant for anyone who has created or wants to create a 3D file for 3D printing and does not know how to export STL files or encounter a problem while creating.
This chapter will explain how to export STL files in the most optimal way and how to avoid common mistakes when exporting.
Preface
STL (acronym for: Standard Triangle Language) is the commonly used file for 3D printing. STL files use triangles to represent the surfaces that make up the model. After creating the model In CAD software the file must be exported in STL format, this format will be transferred to software that will deploy the model to the layers that the printer will create during the printing process. The variety of CAD software enables the production of various three-dimensional models, some solid bodies, some made of surfaces and some models made directly of polygons. Go to CAD Software Guide Each file type has a slightly different conversion method.
Recommended steps to export the STL file at the correct resolution
Step One: Understand the Need vs. the Restrictions
STL files create the 3D object from triangles, similar to screens that create images from pixels. The more triangles there are, the higher the quality of the model, the more detailed and accurate its subtleties but also the higher the file size and weight.
Multi-polygonal STL file versus low polygons
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When exporting the file at a low resolution you can see large triangles that form the model surfaces, in addition there are subtleties and information in the file that is lost due to lowering the amount of polygons.
On the other hand, increasing the amount of polygons improves the model’s visibility and subtleties, but the printer also has resolution restrictions. It follows that from a certain stage we do increase the amount of polygons in the computer model and produce a very heavy file but the printer can not reach the subtleties of the model created anyway so it is an unnecessary upload that increases the weight of the file too much.
Step two: Select the correct parameters for exporting the file
Different CAD programs use different parameters to determine the resolution of the STL file.
The most common parameter is quantity.
When it comes to a solid file made up of surfaces it has to become a file made up of polygons.
The common parameter for determining the resolution in solid files is the degree of deviation between the model made of surfaces and the model made of polygons. This parameter is controlled by the maximum angle and distance between the model surfaces designed in the CAD software and the surfaces formed from polygons in the STL file
Step three: Export the file from the software
Each software has a slightly different process for exporting files in STL format
