If you have a solid modeling package listed below, but are unsure how to create the necessary .stl file(s), click on the name of your package for details. A step-by-step procedure for creating the .stl files, a reference to additional "modules" required (if any), and applicable tips or tricks for creating the "best" .stl files will be provided. If we haven't listed your software package, please contact us and we will work with you to determine the proper procedure - then we will add it to our list. Click the company logos for a link to their site.

AutoCAD

1. Open the appropriate part 
2. Click File / Export
3. In the Export Data dialog box, enter a file name
4. Under Save As type, select Lithography (*.stl), then choose Save
5. Select one or more solid objects. All objects must have their X, Y, and Z coordinates greater that zero

System Variables: FACETRES controls the resolution. (10 works well.)

STL file sizes of 1 MB are a good target.

SolidWorks 2001

1. Open appropriate part.
2. Select File menu, Save As.
3. Under Save as type, select Stl Files (*.stl).
4. Enter or verify File name.
5. Click Save button.
6. A summary window will pop up indicating the # of Triangles, File Size, File Format, and file name.
7. Click Yes button

STL file sizes of approximately 1 MB seem to work well.

If the STL file size is significantly larger than 1 MB, your can return to the Save As / STL / Options dialog box and adjust the Total Quality and Detail Quality slider bars and iterate until the desired file size is obtained.

Pro/E

1. Load desired part.
2. Select Interface from PART Menu.
3. Select Export.
4. Select SLA.
5. If in assembly mode, Select part(s) for processing by clicking on each.
6. Select Chord Height from SLA Menu.
7. Enter “0” for Chord Height Value (will be replaced with minimum acceptable value)
8. Select Output from the SLA Menu.
9. Select Default from the "Get Coord S" Menu (behind the "Get Select" Menu).
10. Enter file name or select default name shown in [brackets].
11. If portions of part are constructed outside the positive octant you

will receive a message "Some points have non-positive coordinates. Continue?"
Type "Y" and Enter.
12. Tessellated part will be displayed -Select Quit Window to remove.

Pro/ENGINEER produces very robust STL files - We've yet to have problems with them.

Rhinoceros

2.  Or, from the file menu, click Export Selected

3.  In the Save As Type box, select STL

4.  Click Save

5.  Select Binary STL file

Unigraphics

2.  Set Output Type to Binary

3.  Set Triangle Tolerance to .0025

4.  Set Adjacency Tolerance to .12

5.  Set Auto Normal Gen to On

6.  Set Normal Display to Off

7.  Set Triangle Display to On

SDRC – IDEAS

1. Open model file with appropriate part
2. Click File / Export 
3. Click Rapid Prototype file and click OK
4. Click on the part
5. The Create Prototype dialog box will appear 

 b. Choose part positioning (XYZ) (centered, origin, current)

 Default or 0,0,0

 c. Choose output file name

 d. Accept absolute facet deviation- .000395

 e. Choose output file type - Binary

6. Click OK, and your file will be created.

CADKEY 19

Select STL

SolidEDGE

2.  Select File menu, Save As.

3.  Under Save as type, select STL Files (*.stl).

4.  Enter or verify File name.

5.  Click “Options”

6.  Set conversion Tolerance to Inches

7.  Click “Save”

IronCAD

2.  Click Part Properties, Rendering

3.  Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150

4.  Select File menu, Save As.

5.  Under Save as type, select Stl Files (*.stl).

6.  Click Save button.

Think3

2.  Select File menu, Save As.

3.  Under Save as type, select Stl Files (*.stl).

4.  Enter or verify File name.

5.  Click Save button.