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| The .STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industry's defacto standard data transmission format and is the format required to interact with QuickARC. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles. For a simple model such as the box shown in figure 1, its surfaces can be approximated with twelve triangles, as shown in figure 2. The more complex the surface, the more triangles produced as shown in figure 3. |
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| Almost all of today's 3D Architectural CAD systems are capable of producing an STL file. However, the designer must use modeling techniques within the CAD software that will result in a 'solid' design, which will then export a good STL file. For the user the process is often as simple as selecting File, Save As, and STL. Below are steps for producing high quality STL files from a number of today's leading CAD systems. In all cases, export your STL file as a Binary file. This saves on time and file size. |
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| As a general rule, changing options such Chord Tolerance or Angular Control will change the resolution on your STL file. The larger the STL file, the more triangles placed on the surface of the model. For simple geometry (not a lot of curves) the file may only be a couple hundred kilobytes. For complex models, files sizes in the range of 1-5MB will produce good parts. For many geometries, files larger then 5MB are unnecessary and will often just result in more time to get your quote and parts back. |
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Also, for the architectural 3D Printing processes and materials, the minimum scaled feature thickness is 0.050". Thickness less then this, and the features will not develop correctly, if at all.
Please check your models and make appropriate changes to critical features. |
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| (Please note, these are only general guidelines and may not work or produce the best possible STL file in some cases. Please consult your users guide or the software's developers for more information or technical support. Should we determine that your STL file is not adequate for production we will contact you for an updated file.) |
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