File Types
Revision as of 13:25, 20 June 2011 by Bubbapizza (talk | contribs) (Created page with 'This page provides a list of the various file types that are used in the reprap software toolchain. ;STL: Files of this type end with <tt>.stl</tt> :STL files are an open file s…')
This page provides a list of the various file types that are used in the reprap software toolchain.
- STL
- Files of this type end with .stl
- STL files are an open file standard and are widely used in Computer Aided Manufacturing and rapid prototyping. The STL format is good for printing out parts because it only describes the part's surface geometry. However, STL files are terrible for doing Computer Aided Design. They can be imported into CAD applications but are difficult to change.
- True CAD applications use CSG type files because they are easy to change and mainipulate. In general, parts should not be designed and saved as STL files. When designing parts, files should be saved as in a Constructive Solid Geometry-type format such as:
- the CAD application's native format or
- a STEP file
- STEP
- Files of this type normally end with .stp
- STEP files are basically the gold standard for translating between different CAD applications. People that do CAD for a living use STEP files.
- STEP is an ISO Standard
- IGES
- Files of this type normally end with .igs
- This is an older open-format CAD file. It has since been superceded by STEP files as of 1995 or so
- More detail on IGES files can be found in Wikipedia
