What is an STL file?
File formats encode for information in order to store it in a computer. When it comes to 3D printing, the STL file format is the most commonly used format.STL files store information about 3D models using tessellation.
Tessellation is a process of tiling a surface of an object with geometric shapes. The tiling produces no overlaps or gaps.
In STL files, the tiles used are triangles (called facets) which cover the surface of the 2D shape. As tessellation covers the surface only, the files only encode for surface geometry. There is no representation of color or texture. In 3D printing, the file is usually generated by CAD, which is then later processed by CAM, creating the CAD/CAM system.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an STL file?
Although the STL file format is the most commonly used format for 3D printing, there are times when it is less advantageous than other file formats. Depending on your goal and desire, the file format you use may require attributes that STL files cannot accomplish.
If you only want a single color or a single type of material, which is most often the case, then an STL file is the way to go.
STL files are simpler and smaller in size and are processed faster than the larger files from other file formats.
However, if you want to use multiple colors or materials, then an STL file is not the right choice.
As previously stated, STL files only encode the surface geometry and not the color or texture. Therefore, a different format needs to be used.
Another issue with STL files is that they use triangle subdivision to create the curvature. Retaining high resolution requires many triangles so increasing the size of the object significantly increases the triangle requirement. This results in larger file sizes.
One of the STL file strong points is that they are universally used and recognized. In terms of flexibility, STL is still the front runner. However, there are several new file formats appearing in the field and paying attention to them is important.
What are the alternatives to an STL file format?
There are plenty of alternatives to STL files for 3D printing. The most well-known is the OBJ file which can store color and texture profile. PLY file formats are also used and were originally used to store 3D scanned objects.
However, as 3D printers continue to innovate and gain functionality, they begin to surpass the capabilities of STL and other older file formats.
There are several new and potentially exciting file formats making strides toward the frontlines. These are the file formats:
- 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format)
- AMF (Additive Manufacturing)
Both file formats have similarities and reasons for being programmed. They were both designed to avoid problems associated with other 3D file formats, particularly those seen with STL files. 3MF and AMF both aim to fully describe the 3D models such as internal information, color, materials, and texture.
What makes 3MF’s potential even greater is that it is extensible and can therefore support new innovations in 3D printing.
As of now, neither AMF nor 3MF have seen the widespread adoption compared to STL files but as technology continues to advance, these formats may begin to surpass the other formats and take the lead worldwide.
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