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STL File - What is an .stl file and how do I open it?
Learn about .STL files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is an STL file? An STL file is a 3D model saved in the Stereolithography (STL) file format developed by 3D Systems. It contains plain text or binary data that describes a set of triangular facets, which comprise a model. STL files are quite common, and they can be opened in many CAD and 3D modeling programs.
More Information STL file open in Microsoft 3D Viewer Stereolithography is a form of 3D printing primarily used for creating product prototypes. In the late 1980s, 3D Systems co-founder Chuck Hull patented stereolithography technology, and 3D Systems created the STL file format. Primarily, STL files contain 3D models meant to be printed using stereolithography. Because the STL format was one of the first formats used to store models for 3D printing, a large number of 3D model viewers and CAD programs support it. STL files may be saved as plain text files, which contain human-readable triangular tessellation data, or as binary files, which contain the same data saved in a binary format. When opened in a text editor, plain text STL files appear as a list of facets and vertexes, complete with coordinates. These files always begin with the string solid ModelName . NOTE: STL files are also sometimes referred to as Standard Triangle Language files and Standard Tessellation Language files.
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DeveloperEuropean Broadcasting Union
Popularity2.3 | 17 Votes
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.STL File Extension
5 file types use the .stl file extension.
Stereolithography File
| Developer | 3D Systems |
| Popularity |
3.8 | 105 Votes |
What is an STL file?
An STL file is a 3D model saved in the Stereolithography (STL) file format developed by 3D Systems. It contains plain text or binary data that describes a set of triangular facets, which comprise a model. STL files are quite common, and they can be opened in many CAD and 3D modeling programs.
More Information
STL file open in Microsoft 3D Viewer
Stereolithography is a form of 3D printing primarily used for creating product prototypes. In the late 1980s, 3D Systems co-founder Chuck Hull patented stereolithography technology, and 3D Systems created the STL file format. Primarily, STL files contain 3D models meant to be printed using stereolithography.
Because the STL format was one of the first formats used to store models for 3D printing, a large number of 3D model viewers and CAD programs support it. STL files may be saved as plain text files, which contain human-readable triangular tessellation data, or as binary files, which contain the same data saved in a binary format. When opened in a text editor, plain text STL files appear as a list of facets and vertexes, complete with coordinates. These files always begin with the string solid ModelName .
NOTE: STL files are also sometimes referred to as Standard Triangle Language files and Standard Tessellation Language files.
How to open an STL file
Plain text STL file open in Apple TextEdit
You can open an STL file in many image viewers, 3D modeling, and CAD programs, including:
You can also open plain text STL files in text editors, such as Microsoft Notepad and Apple TextEdit , to view the plain text data they contain. (If you open a binary STL file in a text editor, its data will appear as a series of unintelligible characters.)
How to convert an STL file
Several CAD and 3D model editing programs, including Autodesk Fusion 360 and Microsoft 3D Builder, can convert STL files to other 3D model formats. For example, Fusion 360 can export STL files to:
Apple Preview and Microsoft 3D Viewer can convert STL files to raster images. For example, Microsoft 3D Viewer can convert an STL file to the following formats:
Apple Preview can also convert STL files to .PDF documents.
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Programs that open STL files
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PTC Onshape
Free +
Babylon.js Sandbox
Free
Windows
Microsoft 3D Viewer
Free
Microsoft 3D Builder
Free
Microsoft Print 3D
Free
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
IMSI TurboCAD Pro
Free Trial
GOM Inspect
Free
ideaMK STL Viewer
Free
Parametric Technology Creo
Free Trial
Dassault Systemes CATIA
Paid
MeshLab
Free
CADSoftTools ABViewer
Free Trial
CADSoftTools CST CAD Navigator
Free Trial
Kubotek KeyCreator
Free Trial
Mac
Apple Preview
Included with OS
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
IMSI TurboCAD Deluxe
Free Trial
Cheetah3D
Free Trial
MeshLab
Free
GLC_Player
Free
CADSoftTools CST CAD Navigator
Free Trial
Linux
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
Parametric Technology Creo
Free Trial
Dassault Systemes CATIA
Paid
MeshLab
Free
GLC_Player
Free
CADSoftTools CST CAD Navigator
Free Trial
Web
Online 3D Viewer
Free
Autodesk Tinkercad
Free
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
3D Slash
Free Trial
iOS
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
Android
Shyam Barange 3D Model Viewer
Free
Prisma3D
Free
Autodesk Fusion 360
Free Trial
Category: CAD Files
Updated: December 22, 2022
SuperTux Level File
| Developer | SuperTux |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 15 Votes |
Game file used by SuperTux, a 2D jump and run side scrolling game similar to Super Mario Bros.; saved in a plain text format and specifies the features of a level, such as enemy unit locations, positions of blocks, and the time limit; also includes a reference to the music and background image for the level.
More Information
STL files are stored in the /data/levels/ directory of the installation.
Programs that open or reference STL files
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SuperTux
Free
Mac
SuperTux
Free
Linux
SuperTux
Free
Category: Game Files
Updated: October 21, 2011
Certificate Trust List
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
2.8 | 18 Votes |
List of predefined items that have been signed by a trusted entity; may consist of a list of filenames or a list of certificates ; each item in the list has been approved by the signing entity.
More Information
Certificate trust lists (CTLs) are used by Microsoft IIS to store trusted websites and other addresses that require a secure connection.
Programs that open or reference STL files
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Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
Free Trial
Category: Web Files
Updated: June 7, 2007
Fireworks Style Library
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
2.4 | 17 Votes |
Library of styles referenced by Macromedia (now Adobe) Fireworks; may be used to apply Stroke, Fill, Effect, and Text attributes to an object within an open Fireworks project; can be helpful for creating a uniform look across multiple objects.
More Information
Some styles are included with Fireworks, though additional styles may be added to the program. To add extra styles, click the small icon in the top right corner of the Styles panel in Fireworks and select "Import Styles." Then browse to an STL file and click OK to add the style library to your current collection.
Programs that open or reference STL files
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Adobe Fireworks
—
Discontinued
Free Trial
Mac
Adobe Fireworks
—
Discontinued
Free Trial
Category: Data Files
Updated: May 2, 2014
European Broadcasting Union Subtitles File
| Developer | European Broadcasting Union |
| Popularity |
2.3 | 17 Votes |
NEW: Open your .STL file online with File Helper . View Online
An STL file may also be a subtitles file saved in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) subtitle data exchange format. It contains binary data used to load subtitles and store subtitle metadata . STL files are used mostly to provide subtitles during TV broadcasts.
More Information
In 1991, the EBU published specifications for the STL subtitles format. STL files contain a set of subtitle texts and information, such as time codes and positioning, used to display that text during a broadcast. The files also contain metadata that defines the subtitles' publisher, editor, and country of origin.
Unlike many other types of subtitle files, STL files are binary files, so you cannot view or edit the text they contain in a text editor. Some broadcasters still use the STL format, but the format has largely been replaced by the newer, XML-based EBU-TT format.
How to open an STL file
You can open an STL file with EZTitles (Windows) or Avid Media Composer (Windows, Mac). These programs allow you to import STL files and use them as subtitle tracks while creating a video. You can also view the subtitles and metadata an STL file contains with Jongbel Media Solutions EBU STL Viewer (Windows).
How to convert an STL file
You can use Jongbel Media Solutions EBU STL Viewer (Windows) or EZConvert (Windows) to convert STL files to many other subtitle formats, including:
Programs that open STL files
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EZTitles
Free Trial
Avid Media Composer
Free Trial
Jongbel Media Solutions EBU STL Viewer
Free Trial
Mac
Avid Media Composer
Free Trial
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Category: Video Files
Updated: July 27, 2022