How to convert CAD files to STL format.

We accept native CAD files from:

Solidworks
Pro Engineer
Inventor.

We can also accept:

.igs
.stp
.slc
.stl

General Steps for saving CAD to .STL files: [Back to Top]

Most CAD packages will have a couple of options that effect the quality of the STL.
- Changing a "Deviation" type of value would alter the overall output or tessallation.
- Changing an "Angle Tolerance" type of value would alter smaller details in your file.
The tighter these parameters the more triangles placed on the surface of the model.
- Simple geometries will tend to be a couple hundred kilobytes in size.
- Complex models will range from 1-5MB in size and still produce good parts.
- For many models, files larger then 5MB may be unnecessary and often result in more time to get your quote and models back.
In all cases, export your STL file as a Binary file. This saves on time and file size.

Please note, these are only general guidelines and may not work or produce the best possible STL file in some cases. Please consult your user's guide or the software developers for more information or technical support. Should we determine that your STL file is not adequate for production we will contact you for an updated file.

Alibre: [Back to Top]

File

Export

Save As > STL

Enter file name

Save

AutoCAD (versions: R14-2000i): [Back to Top]

At the command prompt type "FACETRES"

Set FACETRES between 1 and 10. (1 Being low resolution and 10 high resolution for STL Triangles)

At the command prompt type "STLOUT"

Select Objects

Choose "Y" for Binary

Choose Filename

I-DEAS: [Back to Top]

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

Iron CAD: [Back to Top]

Right Click on the part

Part properties > Rendering

Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150

File > Export

Choose .STL

Mechanical Desktop: [Back to Top]

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 triangle. 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 would mean the height of a 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.

Pro E: [Back to Top]

File > Export > Model

STL

Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.

Set Angle Control to 1

Pro E Wildfire: [Back to Top]

File > Save a Copy > Model

Change type to STL (*.stl)

Set Chord Height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.

Set Angle Control to 1

Rhino: [Back to Top]

File > Save As

Select File Type > STL

Enter a name for the STL file

Save

Select Binary STL Files

Solid Designer (version 8.x): [Back to Top]

File > Save

Select File Type > STL

Select Data

SolidEdge: [Back to Top]

File > Save As

Set Save As Type to STL

Options

Set Conversion Tolerance to Inches of Millimeters

Save

Solid Works: [Back to Top]

File > Save As

Set Save As Type to STL

Options > Fine > OK

Save

Think 3: [Back to Top]

File > Save As

Set Save As Type to STL

Save

Unigraphics: [Back to Top]

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

CADKey: [Back to Top]

Choose Stereolithography from Export options

Enter the filename

Click OK

Inventor: [Back to Top]

Save Copy As

Select STL

Choose Options > Set to High

Enter File Name

Save