Open files with STL extension quick and easy. 4 steps
It can be very frustrating when you have a STL file and you cannot open it. But do not worry, in most cases solution to your problem is very simple. Follow the instruction in steps 1-4 listed below and you should be able to solve your problem and open the STL file with ease.
STL File Extension
- File type Stereolithography Format
- File developer N/A
- File category CAD Files
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File popularity rating
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What is a(n) STL file?
The STL (Stereolithography Format) file format is a CAD (Computer Aided Design) file type used to represent 3D models. STL files are stored in an ASCII or binary form and contain information about the shape of the 3D model represented as a set of polygons. STL files can be used for 3D printing, rapid prototyping, computer numerical control (CNC) machining and medical imaging.
An STL file contains a faceted representation of a 3D object where each facet is composed of triangles. This method is simpler than storing exact curves and surfaces in a 3D model, but allows for much higher precision when it comes to printing 3D objects. As a result, STL files are often used in manufacturing and product design processes.
How to open STL file?
STL file icon should be displayed in a manner characteristic to the program which supports such file type. If STL file icon is of the form of generic blank page icon or similar it means that given format is not associated with any program installed on the system. Below are listed some of the most popular causes of such situation
Check the STL file for errors
- No program that supports STL files is installed on the system
- No program that supports STL files is associated with this extension (system registry has no entries related to programs that should be used to open STL files)
- The file is of unknown or unverified origin and is most probably infected. In such case user must exercise extreme caution in order not to allow the virus propagate to other files in the system (follow the instructions displayed in the dialog box in your antivirus software.
- STL file may be incomplete, which will prevent the system from opening it (this could be the case with file downloaded from the internet or copied from other sources)
- The file is corrupted
How to solve encountered problems?
In order to solve the following problems, follow the instructions:
Step 1. Select, download and install relevant software. The list of programs supporting files with STL extension can be found below:
Programs that can open STL files
Step 2. Associate software supporting STL with this file format
- Right-click on the STL file
- Select "Open with" option
- Choose appropriate program from the list and select the location where the program is installed
- Confirm your selection by clicking on the "OK" button
Step 3. Scan the STL file using an antivirus software
Step 4. Verify whether the file has been properly downloaded from the internet or copied from an external storage medium. If not, then re-download or copy the file again.
In 95% of cases following these steps should solve problems with STL files. Sometimes, although rarely, the cause of encountered problems may be different.
Last resort – an IT expert
Should all the above-mentioned solutions fail to resolve problems with STL file extensions, there is one last thing you can do – contact an IT expert. You can also try to contact one of the developers of software that supports STL files.
