You can also upload any other common 3D file type (see the complete list below). You can upload your STL file directly to our website to order your 3D print. An example can be seen in the wolf ring below, where you can clearly see triangles in both the STL file and the end result. Of course, some people like the visible triangles if it works as part of their design. When exporting with a tolerance larger than 0.01 mm, triangles might become visible in the 3D print.

Exporting with a tolerance smaller than 0.01 mm does not make sense because the 3D printers cannot print at this level of detail. It is advised to choose 0.01 millimeters for a good export. This tolerance is defined as the maximum distance between the original shape and the STL mesh you are exporting. In most 3D modeling software, when exporting you will be asked to define the tolerance for the export.

It might also contain an extreme level of detail that the 3D printers simply cannot print.Ĭhoose the right tolerance when exporting your 3D file This will make it harder to upload your files and share them with coworkers or friends. Very high-resolution STL file: A file with a resolution that is too high will make your file too big and sometimes impossible for us to handle.It will lead to a somewhat “pixelated” print. Low-resolution means that the triangles in your STL file are big and the surface of your print will not be smooth. Low-resolution STL file: It’s important to be aware that a poor-quality export will never allow us to provide you with a good print.When deciding to provide us with an STL file for printing, choosing the right resolution for your file is important to ensure a good quality print.įile resolutions that are too low or too high can cause problems Below you can see three globes: the one on the left is in its native file format from a 3D modeling software, the one in the middle is a high-resolution STL export, and the one on the right is a low-resolution STL export.

Let’s take a look at this difference in a visual way. However, most 3D modeling software has the option to export your designs to an STL file. In its native format, your design is described as a mathematical function. STL is typically not the native file format of your 3D modeling software. STL stands for standard triangle language and means that your design will be translated into triangles in a 3D space. This will guarantee you a 3D print of the best possible quality.įor 3D printing, the most common file format is STL. However, to make sure you don’t receive an unpleasant surprise, we will show you how to choose the perfect resolution for your 3D file. Turning your 3D model into a 3D print is an exciting technological process.

3d print stl file