What is an STL File? | Convert STL to STEP, OBJ, SKP Easily

Import, export, and convert many 3D mesh and solid file formats including STL (Stereo-Lithography), SKP (SketchUp), OBJ (Wavefront), FBX (Filmbox), STEP (Standardized Exchange), and others.

Automesher Application

Convert polyface mesh to solid and import / export many 3D mesh and solid file formats including STL (Stereo-Lithography), SKP (Trimble SketchUp), OBJ (Wavefront), 3DM (Rhino), and others.

Autoshaper

Convert mesh to NURBS and import / export 3D file formats with NURBS solid shapes including STEP (Standardized Exchange of Product), 3DM (Rhino), IGES, and BREP, with automatic NURBS surface reconstruction.

Automapki Application

Overlay DWG drawing entities on top of public satellite imagery provided by Open Street Map, Map Quest, Open Aerial, or any user defined WMS / WTS base layers.

STL What is an STL File? (STereoLithography Format Explained)

The STL file format (short for STereoLithography) was developed by 3D Systems, a pioneer in the 3D printing industry, to simplify rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes. Today, STL files are one of the most common file types used in computer-aided design (CAD), digital fabrication, and additive manufacturing workflows. STL models exclusively represent 3D geometry as a triangular mesh, offering high compatibility and fast processing across various 3D printers and modeling software.

Key Features of the STL Format

Lightweight and Simple: An STL file contains only the coordinates of vertices and normal vectors of triangles, making it extremely easy for 3D software and printers to interpret.
No Textures or Materials: STL models do not store color, texture, transparency, or material information, resulting in pure geometric representations without extra attributes.
Two Storage Methods: STL files are available in two distinct formats:
- Binary STL: The most popular choice due to its small file size, ideal for faster saving, sharing, and printing.
- ASCII STL: A human-readable text format that explicitly describes each triangle but produces significantly larger files.
No Fixed Units: The STL format does not define units (millimeters, inches, etc.). Most programs assume millimeters by default. Our STL files converter can automatically handle unit adjustments during file conversion if needed.

STL File Conversion Made Easy

Looking to convert STL files into other popular 3D formats? Autoconverter and Automesher Application offer powerful, high-precision STL file conversion to formats like STEP, OBJ, and SKP. These tools allow you to:

Preserve mesh accuracy and surface details during conversion.
Batch convert multiple STL files automatically.
Optimize, clean, and repair STL models for 3D printing or CAD workflows.

Whether you are a 3D designer, engineer, or enthusiast, our STL converters streamline your work. Convert STL to STEP, OBJ, SKP and more - start your free trial today!