3D printing standard
Virtually every slicer and 3D printer accepts STL as input.
Format Guide中文
What is STL?
STL is the de facto standard format for 3D printing. It describes a model\u2019s surface as a mesh of triangles, with no color, units or assembly structure — just the geometry a slicer needs.
Published Jun 10, 2026Updated Jun 10, 2026
Triangles only
STL stores a triangular surface mesh — no materials, color or hierarchy.
Watertight matters
A printable STL should be a closed, watertight mesh.
Where STL fits
STL is perfect at the manufacturing/printing stage, where only geometry matters.
It is not editable CAD and carries no design intent, so keep your source CAD or a STEP export for changes.
Producing and converting STL
Convert CAD formats like STEP, CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, Creo or Inventor to STL for printing.
Convert STL to OBJ when you need UVs and materials for rendering or DCC work.