TOP 16 STL FILE CONVERTERS - MAKENICA

Are you troubled by poor print quality while 3D printing STL file? Are unmanageably large 3D files getting created when the STL file is exported in high resolution? Don’t worry. This post would act as a guide to help you understand the STL file type and the detailed steps for exporting the file format for 3D printing online. Let us first start with a brief introduction.

Coming to the origin of STL files, it was first developed in the late 1980s by 3D-Systems. It was mainly created to get the CAD data converted into 3D print-ready files. And today, it has become successful and is a widely used format not just for online 3D printing India but also for the purpose of rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing.

STL or Standard Triangle Language file is considered industry standard for printing on 3D printers. A sequence of triangles is used for representing the solid model’s surfaces in STL. Contemporary CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs permit export of their respective proprietary file formats in STL type for ease of 3D printing in India. Conversion of the 3D models into G-Code machine language is done through ‘slicing’ for rendering the STL files and make them print-ready.

What is STL File Format?

The STL file format basically stores information about the three-dimensional models. Here, the information is related to the surface geometry rather than the common attributes like color and texture.

The STL files are generated at the end of the 3D modeling process. This process is often carried out with a CAD or computer-aided design program. Ever since the beginning, it is supported and adopted by many CAD software packages. And now, it is widely used for 3D printing services in India, rapid prototyping, and CAD manufacturing.

The extension of this file format is .STL. The abbreviation is usually considered to be Stereolithography (SLA 3D Printing service). Even so, it is sometimes referred to as Standard Tessellation Language or Standard Triangle Language.

Best 16 STL Converters: –

1. Meshconverter

• Meshconverter is an online and free platform, made to convert your 3D models into STL files.
• It supports a variety of file formats ranging from STL to PLY.
• It is easy to use
• It does not offer any other features but file conversion

2. Spin 3D

• Spin3D can convert several meshes simultaneously without much effort.
• It is easy to use and pretty quick.
• It even allows sharing of files. 
• It is a software, not an online platform, so it is required to download Spin 3D to use it.
• Spin 3D not only converts files but also helps in game modelling and animation.

3. CAD Exchanger

• CAD Exchanger works as a software for DATA translation.
• It supports file formats like OBJ, 3dm, brep, step, etc.
• It is free to download and use.

4. Online CAD converter

• It is an absolute free online converter for CAD files for affordable 3D Printing
• It supports translation of SLDPRT, STEP, SKP, X_T, JT, OBJ, STL, 3DS, IPT, 3D PDF, CATIA and more.
• It even enables translation of graphic formats and neutral formats.
• This program offers different packages.
• The maximum file size is 100 KB.

5. Bear File Converter

• It is online free converter that can be used for different projects by your 3D Printing companies.
• It can convert audio files, images, office documents or convert videos.
• This converter converts 3D model file formats also easily.
• Formats supported by it are- BLEND, STL, 3DS, XML, etc.
• Bear has an easy to use interface.

6. AccuTrans 3D

• As the name suggests this 3D tool offers an accurate translation of 3D geometries for 3D Printing online.
• It keeps the information related to the rotation and position of your 3D mesh.
• It supports translation of more than 30 file formats.
• It works flawlessly in converting STL files.

7. 3D Transform

• It is free online converter dedicated to the conversions of STL files for many 3D Printing companies in bangalore
• The platform even verifies that you have the right to use the model you want to print.
• Intellectual property is taken into account while using this online platform. 

8. SwiftConverter

• It is not only a STL file converter but also an image convertor and video converter.
• It has an easy user interface.
• It allows translation of more than 25 file types, including 3DS, FBX, Blender or OBJ.

9. iD Converter

• This converter tool is not free.
• A lifetime license is to be purchased.
• This tool is extremely helpful for 3D Printing online if conversion of diverse file formats is to be done on a regular basis.
• iD converter supports more than 760 file formats, from CAD, to OBJ or XML.

10. Yobi3D

• It is a search engine.
• It helps in getting 3D models online and also converting them to the specified file formats.
• Maximum size for converting file is 40MB.

11. FreeCAD

• It is an open source and free to use CAD software.
• It can be downloaded free from its website.
• Choose the version of your OS and install.
• FreeCAD is not very well with intercepting structures and may mess up the mesh when it contains intercepting edges.
• It is a CAD program to create exact and models for mechanical use, not for modelling.
• This is a good choice for creating technical objects.
• FreeCAD is not very friendly for sculpting 3D models.

12. SketchUp

• It is used for 3D modelling as well as for converting files in required formats even by professionals of 3D Printing companies preferably for architectural purposes.
• Sketchup has a large toolset and can be a little difficult to get a hold on.
• However, there are a lot of training tutorials available online to learn how to use this program.
• Sketchup comes in both free and paid version. The paid version has an edge over the free one.
• Sketchup was originally created by Google and now is owned by Trimble.
• It’s not great for complex curves and spheres, but an all-around great tool that’s definitely worth checking out.
• It also has a great community behind it that have created useful plugins for doing things like exporting directly to an STL file for printing or a DXF for 2D cutting.
• It is web-based and can’t be downloaded for the free version.
• The download is only available to paying users on a subscription basis or a one-time fee.
• Company support is extensive: They have a forum, a blog, an official YouTube channel, and courses on their website.

13. Blender

• It helps in creating or modelling free video clips.
• It comes equipped with features like various algorithms for smoothening or interpreting a surface.
• It has a very easy to use interface for importing or converting file formats as STL.
• It is a good STL editor for creating high poly models.
• It offers a variety of tools to sculpt and work out fine details in models.
• It may require some pre-knowledge and may take some extra time to get use to Blender.

14. MeshLab

• MeshLab is a free open source program that allows you to view or merge, transform or repair files for 3D Printing online.
• It supports several file formats STL, PLY, STL, OFF, OBJ, 3DS as well as point clouds.
• MeshLab doesn’t provide the facility to create new objects but is a great STL editor to combine or repair a mesh.

15. 3D Slash

• 3D Slash is a free and easy to use 3D modelling software that lets you create models using a simple building-block concept similar to Minecraft.
• You can download it for free even access the free STL.
• 3D Slash will be especially gratifying for hobbyists who occasionally want to create their 3D designs without having to master the mysterious lore of conventional 3D modelling software.
• 3D Slash lacks the feature of saving the modified 3D designs in STL formats.

16. SculptGL

• It is a free 3D sculpting tool.
• It is an online platform that includes only the basic tools necessary and allows you to give you a sense of the sculpting workflow.
• One downside is that this program can occasionally produce non-manifold vertices

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How to export STL files for 3D Printing?

For accurately exporting 3D print online ready models into STL files for convenience of 3D printing in India, you need to follow the steps mentioned below. Adhering to them would also lead to reduction in the online 3D printing related expenses.

• Get a clear view of STL resolution

As stated earlier, a sequence of linked triangles is used by the STL format for recreating a solid model’s surface geometry. As the resolution of STL files is increased, the number of triangles used would also go up in number. This would lead to a better approximation of the 3D models’ surfaces. However, the STL file’s size also increases.

When the model is exported in very low resolution, the triangles would be visible on the surface of the model after printing. This is something you won’t want on your model’s body. But, you can utilize the digital look for creating ‘low-poly’ models. It is not desirable that you increase the resolution after a certain degree. You would not get any new benefit.

Extremely minute details cannot be captured in 3D prints. However, such an increase would lead to unnecessary enlargement in the file’s size. Consequently, large files would pose problems in handling and processing.

• Select appropriate parameters for exporting

By changing the tolerance within CAD program, the resolution of STL files can be modified. If you are not sure about the tolerance level, go for ‘high’ preset. This is the best bet when you want to generate STL file that can be conveniently 3D printed.

STL resolution is specified in different CAD software in differing manners. However, 2 parameters are common to all packages i.e. angle and chord height.

Chord height represents the maximum distance between original CAD 3D model’s surface and the STL file’s surface which is allowed by CAD software. The surface curvature can be represented in highly accurate manner by keeping the chord height smaller. Chord height should be ideally kept at 1/20th of the thickness of 3D printing layer.

The value should never go under 1 micron or 0.001 mm. The resultant STL file would be very accurate for applications that can help in optimum 3D printing. The print quality would not suffer if the model is exported in smaller tolerance value. This is because 3D printers commonly available are not capable of reproducing extremely high detailing level for a good 3D Printing quote.

The angular tolerance is used to keep the value of angle within adjacent triangles’ normals. It is set at 15 degrees by default. In some CAD program, you may come across this tolerance as value ranging from 0 to 1. You should persist with the default 15 degrees’ value or 0 in some programs as it is the recommended option. If you want the surfaces to be smoother, you can go for higher values.

• Always use CAD software for exporting STL files

The next step to STL exporting is the use of specialized CAD software. However, the process of exporting might be unique in every software for 3D printing service. That is why you must follow the specific method of exporting for a given CAD program.

So, make the best use of this article if you wish to learn the best way to get your STL files ready for 3D printing online. Besides, there are a few other things which you need to take care of when it comes to exporting for online 3D printing India. For example, you need to keep the chord height to 0.001 mm. Another good rule of thumb is to keep the angular tolerance to 15 degrees. Also, last, but not the least, make sure that you do not export CAD to STL if the file is larger in size.

Following the above rules will help you to achieve optimal results under a good 3D Printing quote, be it for printing of 3D jewelry files, mechanical components, or healthcare equipment. However, if it is still confusing, then opt for a service provider that can do the task for you. Thankfully, you will find a lot of 3D Printing companies that offer services for the same.