STL - Revision history

DanielJohnson at 20:31, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T20:31:04Z

DanielJohnson at 20:30, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T20:30:31Z

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DanielJohnson at 20:22, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T20:22:08Z

DanielJohnson at 20:10, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T20:10:33Z

DanielJohnson at 20:09, 13 May 2009

2009-05-13T20:09:34Z

DanielJohnson: New page: Category:Engineering format '''Title(s):''' Title::Stererlithography File (STL). '''Version ID:''' Version ID::. '''Date released:''' Version Date released::October, 1999...

2009-05-13T20:05:46Z

New page: Category:Engineering format '''Title(s):''' Title::Stererlithography File (STL). '''Version ID:''' Version ID::. '''Date released:''' Version Date released::October, 1999...

New page

[[Category:Engineering format]]
'''Title(s):''' [[Title::Stererlithography File (STL)]].

'''Version ID:''' [[Version ID::]].

'''Date released:''' [[Version Date released::October, 1999]].

'''Date:''' [[Format Date::1999]].

'''Creator(s):''' [[Creator::3D Systems]]

'''Contributor(s):''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Systems 3D systems].

'''Relationships:'''
The format was developed by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_Systems 3D systems] in 1999. It is intended for use with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography Stererlithography] machines for the rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping of physical 3D models. Because these models are meant to be manufactured by 3D printers, they have no color or textures attributed to them.

* '''Previous Version(s):'''
The file format has not changed much since its inception due to its simplicity. However, the binary version of the file has two extra bytes at the end of every triangle. Some proprietary systems have used these bytes to store color data. One example of this is the [http://www.marcam.de/cms/home.2.en.html VisCAM] software.

* '''Contains:''' none.

* '''Syntax Format(s):'''
There are two formats for STL files, they can either be ASCII or binary.

** '''ASCII:''' The ASCII format is simply a list of facets and their three vertices.

** '''Binary:''' The binary format is similar to the ASCII format in that is is a list of triangular faces, however, each triangle has 16 bits of meta data that can be used for any information one might want to convey about the facet.

* '''Family Format(s):''' none.

'''Description:'''
The format is incredibly simplistic. The ASCII version is only a list of faces, their normals, and the vertices that they are comprised of. Each one of these faces must be a triangle. This simplicity is due to the intended use of the file. These files are not intended to represent complex and dynamic models with animations, skeletons and textures. These models are only meant to have one position, and no color. These are the only attributes that can be fabricated by modern Stererlithography machines.

'''History:'''
The file format was developed by 3D Systems in 1999 as a way to model the objects that would be fabricated by their 3D printers. Because of the verbosity of the ASCII version of the format, a binary format was also developed. A file in the binary format is much smaller than its ASCII counterpart, and it has meta data bits for each triangle to enable the conveyance of unforeseen information about the model.

'''Example(s):''' [[Example::3ds Example]] 

'''Identifier:''' 
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5659302

'''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::3ds Documentation]] 

'''File Extensions:''' .3ds, .max

'''Applications:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_3ds_Max Autodesk 3ds Max], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematica Mathematica], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTK VTK], [http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~burkardt/cpp_src/ivcon/ivcon.html IVCON].

* '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::3ds Engineering Format Application-native|Autodesk 3ds Max]] 

* '''Interoperable applications:''' [[Interoperable Application::3ds Engineering Format Application|Mathematica, VTK, IVCON]] 

'''Magic numbers:''' 4D 4D ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal hex]), MM ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII ASCII]).

'''Format(s):''' application/x-3ds, image/x-3ds.

'''Rights:''' Proprietary license.

'''Sustainability Factors:''' 

* '''Standardization:''' [[Standardization::none]] 

* '''Adoption:''' [[Adoption::none]] 

** '''Licensing and patent claims:''' [[Licensing and patent claims::proprietary license]] 

* '''Self-documentation:''' [[Self-documentation::none]] 

* '''External dependencies:''' [[External dependencies::none]] 

* '''Technical protection considerations:''' [[Technical protection considerations::none]] 

'''Typical use:''' CAM, a model archiving file format.

'''File classification:'''
* '''Type {Binary, Text}:'''[[File Classification Type::binary]] 
* '''Raster data:'''
** '''Raster data 2D:'''
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 2D - Is Supported::false]] 
*** '''Description:''' Contour data only. 
** '''Raster data 3D:'''
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Raster Data 3D - Is Supported::false]] 
*** '''Description:''' Contour data only. 
* '''Geometric representation:'''
** '''Implicit representation:''' 
*** '''Implicit surfaces:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Implicit Surfaces - Is Supported::false]] 
**** '''Description:''' Explicit surfaces supported. 
*** '''Implicit curves:'''
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Implict Curves - Is Supported::false]] 
**** '''Description:''' Explicit curves supported. 
*** '''Point set:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Point Set - Is Supported::true]] 
**** '''Description:''' Triangle meshes supported. 
** '''Mesh:''' 
*** '''Manifold surface meshes:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Mainfold Surface Meshes - Is Supported::true]] 
**** '''Description:''' Triangle meshes supported.
*** '''Manifold volume meshes:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Meshes - Is Supported::false]] 
**** '''Description:''' Surface meshes supported. 
**** '''Non-manifold meshes:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Meshes - Is Supported::false]] 
**** '''Description:''' Non-manifold meshes change existing topology. 
** '''Parametric representation:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Parametric Surfaces - Is Supported::true]] 
**** '''Description:''' Spline-to-patch surface. 
*** '''Parametric curves:''' 
**** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Parametric Curves - Is Supported::true]] 
**** '''Description:''' Splines and NURBS. 
** '''Contour sets:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Contour Sets - Is Supported::false]] 
*** '''Description:''' Surfaces are supported. 
** '''NURBS:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification NURBS - Is Supported::true]] 
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification NURBS - Description::none]] 
* '''Multi-resolution models:''' 
** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Multi-resolution Models - Is Supported::true]] 
** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Multi-resolution Models - Description::none]] 
* '''Dynamics:''' 
** '''Kinematics:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Kinematics - Is Supported::true]] 
*** '''Description:''' 
** '''Assembly:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Assembly - Is Supported::true]] 
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Assembly - Description::parts can be assembled.]] 
** '''Force(s):''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Force - Is Supported::true]] 
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Force - Description::It can simulate forces applying on the model.]] 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Surface Boundary Representation - Is Supported::false]] 
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Surface Boundary Representation - Description::plugins exist.]] 
** '''Manifold volume boundary representations:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Boundary Representation - Is Supported::false]] - Is the feature supported in the engineering format?
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Manifold Volume Boundary Representation - Description::plugins exist.]] 
** '''Non-manifold boundary representations:''' 
*** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Boundary Representation - Is Supported::false]] 
*** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Non-manifold Boundary Representation - Description::none]] 
* '''Material transparency:''' 
** '''Is Supported:''' [[File Classification Material Transparency - Is Supported::true]] 
** '''Description:''' [[File Classification Material Transparency - Description::none]] 

'''References:''' [[References::http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3DS_Max]]

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 '''File Extensions:'''<!-- [[File Extension::]] - Extensions of the engineering format, excluding the dot.--> .stl
-'''Applications:'''<!-- - Applications that the engineering format uses.--> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_3ds_Max Autodesk 3ds Max], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematica Mathematica], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTK VTK], [http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~burkardt/cpp_src/ivcon/ivcon.html IVCON].
+'''Applications:'''<!-- - Applications that the engineering format uses.--> .
-* '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::3ds Engineering Format Application-native|Autodesk 3ds Max]] <!-- Applications which are primarily designed to specifically run this engineering format.-->
+* '''Native application(s):''' <!-- Applications which are primarily designed to specifically run this engineering format.-->
 * '''Interoperable applications:'''  VisCAM, SolidView, Materialise Magics<!-- Applications which can read or write files of this format, but are not native applications for the format.-->

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 '''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::3ds Documentation]] <!-- Information in general about the engineering format.-->
-'''File Extensions:'''<!-- [[File Extension::]] - Extensions of the engineering format, excluding the dot.--> .3ds, .max
+'''File Extensions:'''<!-- [[File Extension::]] - Extensions of the engineering format, excluding the dot.--> .stl
 '''Applications:'''<!-- - Applications that the engineering format uses.--> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autodesk_3ds_Max Autodesk 3ds Max], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematica Mathematica], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VTK VTK], [http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~burkardt/cpp_src/ivcon/ivcon.html IVCON].
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 * '''Native application(s):''' [[Native Application::3ds Engineering Format Application-native|Autodesk 3ds Max]] <!-- Applications which are primarily designed to specifically run this engineering format.-->
-* '''Interoperable applications:''' [[Interoperable Application::3ds Engineering Format Application|Mathematica, VTK, IVCON]] <!-- Applications which can read or write files of this format, but are not native applications for the format.-->
+* '''Interoperable applications:'''  VisCAM, SolidView, Materialise Magics<!-- Applications which can read or write files of this format, but are not native applications for the format.-->
-'''Magic numbers:'''<!-- [[Magic Numbers::]] - Unique identifying characters at the beginning of files for this engineering format.--> 4D 4D ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexadecimal hex]), MM ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASCII ASCII]).
+'''Magic numbers:'''<!-- [[Magic Numbers::]] - Unique identifying characters at the beginning of files for this engineering format.-->
-'''Format(s):'''<!-- [[Format::]] - The MIME file types.--> application/x-3ds, image/x-3ds.
+'''Format(s):'''<!-- [[Format::]] - The MIME file types.--> application/sla.
 '''Rights:'''<!-- [[Rights::]] - The name or type of the license for the engineering format. Examples: BSD-style license, Apache License, Proprietary license--> Proprietary license.
@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 * '''Standardization:''' [[Standardization::none]] <!-- Information regarding standardization attempts with this format.-->
-* '''Adoption:''' [[Adoption::none]] <!-- Information about how this format has been adopted by other organizations.-->
+* '''Adoption:''' Adopted by other organisations wishing to model 3D objects to be fabricated by 3D printers.  Such organisations include Marcam and Materialise  <!-- Information about how this format has been adopted by other organizations.-->
 ** '''Licensing and patent claims:''' [[Licensing and patent claims::proprietary license]] <!-- Any licenses or patent claims that the engineering format makes.-->
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 * '''Technical protection considerations:''' [[Technical protection considerations::none]] <!-- Any considerations that are necessary when it comes to technical protection.-->
-'''Typical use:'''<!-- [[Typical use::]] - Keywords that describe the format's typical use. Examples: CAD and CAM--> CAM, a model archiving file format.
+'''Typical use:'''<!-- [[Typical use::CAD 3D Printing]] - Keywords that describe the format's typical use. Examples: CAD and CAM--> CAM, a model archiving file format.
 '''File classification:'''<!-- - Specific properties that pertain to this engineering format.-->

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 '''Identifier:''' <!--[[Identifier::]] - A URL or other identifier that refers to the engineering format.-->
-http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5659302
+http://www.ennex.com/~fabbers/StL.asp
 '''Documentation:''' [[Documentation::3ds Documentation]] <!-- Information in general about the engineering format.-->

@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 The file format was developed by 3D Systems in 1999 as a way to model the objects that would be fabricated by their 3D printers.  Because of the verbosity of the ASCII version of the format, a binary format was also developed.  A file in the binary format is much smaller than its ASCII counterpart, and it has meta data bits for each triangle to enable the conveyance of unforeseen information about the model.
-'''Example(s):''' [[Example::3ds Example]] <!-- Information and example models of the engineering format.-->
+'''Example(s):''' [[Example::STL Example]] <!-- Information and example models of the engineering format.-->
 '''Identifier:''' <!--[[Identifier::]] - A URL or other identifier that refers to the engineering format.-->