However, it does not contain texture, color, and material data, which limits the model's design and can lead to common issues such as STL files being unable to be sliced.
The more triangles there are, the more accurate the model, but also the larger the file. Both 3D model sharing websites and 3D slicers support this type of format.Īn STL file is composed of a series of small triangles to create a 3D digital model. The STL file format is widely used for the creation of simple 3D model designs and is compatible with almost all Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs to easily generate the STL file format. The STL file is an old file type, developed in 1987 for the first commercial 3D printer. STL stands for Stereolithography, which is the most common and popular file format in 3D printing.
This article will discuss the most common 3D printing file format types, detailing what they are, their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.
It's advisable to start by learning and using common file types because they are generally compatible with most CAD programs and slicing software. File formats for 3D printing are typically created through CAD software and contain information about the geometry of 3D objects.
