STL Export for AutoCAD is a Stereolithography (.stl) file export plug-in for AutoCAD®. This plug-in gives AutoCAD the ability to export geometric data from AutoCAD to ASCII and Binary STL files.

AutoCAD already has a STLOUT command which exports a STL file. The STLOUT command is limited to 3D Solids which lie in positive space only (i.e. positive x, y and z). STL Export for AutoCAD extracts facet data from 3D Solids as well as 3D Face, Polygon Mesh and PolyFace Mesh objects in the active AutoCAD drawing and exports it to a STL file. These objects can lie anywhere in space. Quad faces are broken down into triangular faces and 3D Solids are tessellated into triangular faces. The level of tessellation can be controlled by adjusting the resolution slider in the STL Export for AutoCAD options dialog box. A lower resolution will yield coarse meshes (lesser faces), whereas a higher resolution will result in finer meshes (more faces).

STL Export for AutoCAD is very easy to use. Once installed, it must be loaded into the AutoCAD environment. There are simple instructions for this in the ReadMe file. Once loaded it adds new commands to AutoCAD's existing commands and a new submenu called "STLExport" to the AutoCAD menu containing these newly added commands.

Download & Purchase

Please download a fully functional trial of STL Export for AutoCAD by clicking on the "Download" link below. We are confident that during the trial period (10 days or runs, whichever is earlier) you will find STL Export for AutoCAD extremely useful. Later when you decide to buy the software please return to this page and click the "Buy" link to place your order. In the order process you will be asked to enter the Lock that appears in the product registration dialog box (which appears when you run any of the commands in the "STLExport" submenu). We will create and send you your Key by e-mail within one business day. To avoid disruption in your workflow we urge you to place your order before the trial period ends.

(12.81 MB)
($195)

Note: Downloading this software indicates your acceptance to the SYCODE Software License Agreement. STL Export for AutoCAD is priced at $195 only. This is the price of a single user license. For your bulk-licensing needs please contact us.

Installation & Usage

Since STL Export for AutoCAD is a plug-in for AutoCAD, it must be loaded into the AutoCAD environment before it can be used. Please follow the simple instructions in the STL Export for AutoCAD ReadMe document which is copied into the installation folder. After you have loaded the plug-in file into AutoCAD, simply click on the menu items in the "STLExport" submenu or type "STLExport" (without quotes) at the AutoCAD command prompt and press "Enter". This will bring about the "File Open" dialog box from where you can select the STL file you wish to export. Truly, software made simple!

The 'STLExport' menu consists of the following commands:

• STLExport - Exports an STL file
  
  
• STLExportHelp - Displays the STL Export for AutoCAD help file
  
  
• STLExportRegister - Registers your copy of STL Export for AutoCAD
  
  
• STLExportAbout - Displays the STL Export for AutoCAD About box

The STLExport submenu

STL Export for AutoCAD comes with detailed documentation for each command as well as a tutorial to get you started in the shortest possible time. There is also an online version of the help file which you can view by clicking the link below.
   
Online Help

The STL File Format

The STL file format is the Rapid Prototyping industry's standard data transmission format and is the format required to interact with stereolithography machines. Stereolithography files contain solids which are made up of 3 sided facets. STL files may be ASCII or binary data, although binary is far more common due to the resulting size of the CAD data when saved to the ASCII format. A STL file describes a raw unstructured triangulated surface by the unit normal and vertices (ordered by the right-hand rule) of the triangles using a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. Many CAD systems are able to output the STL file format among their other formats, but very few have the ability to import STL files.

Customization

If you want STL Export for AutoCAD to work in a different way to suit your workflow, do let us know. We will customize the plug-in to suit your specific needs.