That means your part could get 25.4x smaller. A common error occurs when you create your 3D model in inches, and the 3D printing studio uses mm as a default. When you want someone else to print your STL file, it is wise to specify the correct units/dimensions to them clearly. So, you can’t tell if the 3D model was created in mm, inch, etc. You can read from the file that the 3D model is, for instance, 200 x 150 x 8, but there is no additional information. Sadly, there is no information about units contained in STL file. (You will get a 30-day trial version of Netfabb Premium, which then automatically switches to free Netfabb Basic).
Or you can download CAD models from sites like and convert them to STL – for conversion you can use, for instance, Workbench) What to double check before 3D printing an STL file:įor checking your STL file, you can use a free version of Autodesk Netfabb. You can also download a vast amount of ready to print STL files on sites like.
1) Created in polygon based 3D modeling software and then exported ( Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Z-Brush, Cinema 4D…)Ģ) Created in CAD or NURBS-based 3D modeling software, then converted to polygon mesh and exported ( SolidWorks, Inventor, Tinkercad, Rhino, Modo…)ģ) 3D scanned (by using a 3D scanner, you create a polygon 3D model of an existing physical object)
