STL Import for SolidWorks

The STL Import for SolidWorks is an excellent add-in that empowers SolidWorks by allowing it to import graphical data from ASCII and binary Stereolithography (STL) files. This remarkable add-in is essential in the Rapid Prototyping industry as it has become the standard data transmission format required to interact with stereolithography machines. It's known that the STL file format approximates solid model surfaces with triangles.

Stereolithography files essentially have solids composed of 3-sided facets. Therefore, the STL Import for SolidWorks reads these triangular surfaces and knits them to create a solid in a new SolidWorks part document. If the surfaces are knit into a solid successfully, it appears as the base feature with the name Imported1. However, if the surfaces represent multiple closed volumes, then one part is made for each closed volume. In the event that the attempt to knit the surfaces fails, the surfaces are grouped into one or more surface features with names like Surface-Imported1, 2, and so on.

STL Import for SolidWorks is effortless to use as it incorporates a new file type into the SolidWorks File Open dialog box. To import an STL file, the user has to select Open from the File menu and then select "Stereolithography Files (*.stl)" from the "File of type" combo box. A new part document is automatically created containing the imported STL file. Overall, STL Import for SolidWorks is a must-have for SolidWorks users who require access to binary Stereolithography files.