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Computer-Aid Design STL Files


Almost all of today's CAD systems can produce an STL file.

STL files are made of small triangles that create the surfaces of the 3D Model. The SLA machine creates what it receives. A lower resolution STL file has less facets, therefore creating a poorly detailed part. If there appears to be errors, jagged edges, surfaces that are supposed to be smooth but are not, that is the indication that the resolution is too low. A too high resolution, however, creates more triangles than needed which increases the file size and makes additional work. Please check with Brynnage Design if you have questions concerning the conversion process.

(The following information is courtesy of 3-D Systems. No warranties are expressed or implied in the use of this information.)

In all cases, export your STL file as a Binary file. This saves on time and file size. Below are steps for producing STL files from a number of CAD systems.

Please note, these are only general guidelines and may not work or produce the best possible STL file in come cases. Please consult your user's guide or the software's developers for more information or technical support.

Please select an Application



Alibre

  1. File
  2. Export
  3. Save As> STL
  4. Enter File Name
  5. Save


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AutoCAD (Versions: R14-2000i)

Your design must be a three-dimensional solid object to output an STL file.
  1. Make sure the model is in positive space
  2. At the command prompt type 'FACETRES'
  3. Set FACETRES between 1 & 10 (1-low resolution and 10-high resolution for STL Triangles)
  4. Next, at the command prompt type 'STLOUT'
  5. Select Objects
  6. Choose 'Y' for Binary
  7. Choose Filename


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CADKey

  1. Choose Stereolithography from Export Options
  2. Enter the Filename
  3. Click OK


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I-DEAS

  1. File > Export > Rapid Prototype File > OK
  2. Select the Part to be Prototyped
  3. Select Prototype Device > SLA500.dat > OK
  4. Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395
  5. Select Binary > OK


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Inventor

  1. Save Copy As
  2. Select STL
  3. Choose Options > Set to High
  4. Enter Filename
  5. Save


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IronCAD

  1. Right Click on the Part
  2. Part Properties > Rendering
  3. Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
  4. File > Export
  5. Choose .STL


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Mechanical Desktop

  1. Use the AMSTLOUT command to export your STL file
  2. The following command line options affect the quality of the STL and shoud be adjusted to produce an acceptable file.


* Angular Tolerance ' This command limits the angle between the normals of adjacent triangles. The default setting is 15. Reducing the angle will increase the resolution of the STL file.

* Aspect Ratio ' This setting controls the Height/Width ration 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.


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ProE

  1. File > Export > Model (or File > Save a Copy)
  2. Set type to STL
  3. Set chord height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
  4. Set Angle Control to 1
  5. OK


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ProE Wildfire

  1. File > Save a Copy > Model
  2. Change type to STL (*.stl)
  3. Set Chord Height to 0. The field will be replaced by minimum acceptable value.
  4. Set Angle Control to 1
  5. OK


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Rhino

  1. File > Save As
  2. Select File Type > STL
  3. Enter a name for the STL File
  4. Save
  5. Select Binary STL Files


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Solid Designer (Version 8.x)

  1. File > Save
  2. Select File Type > STL
  3. Select Data
  4. Click OK


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Solid Designer (not sure of version)

  1. File > External > Save STL
  2. Select Binary Mode
  3. Select Part
  4. Enter 0.001mm for Max Deviation Distance
  5. Click OK


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SolidEdge

  1. File > Save As
  2. Set Save As Type to STL
  3. Options
  4. Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.001in. or 0.0254mm
  5. Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00'
  6. Save


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SolidWorks

  1. File > Save As >
  2. Pull down menu choices to Stl
  3. Select Options Buttons
  4. Set Quality to Fine
  5. OK > Yes >


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Think3

  1. File > Save As
  2. Set Save As Type to STL
  3. Save


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Unigraphics

  1. File > Export > Rapid Prototyping
  2. Set Output type to Binary
  3. Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
  4. Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
  5. Set Auto Normal Gen to On
  6. Set Normal Display to Off
  7. Set Triangle Display to On

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