STL Import for SolidWorks is a Stereolithography (.stl) file import add-in for SolidWorks®. This add-in gives SolidWorks the ability to import geometric data from ASCII and Binary STL files.

STL Import for SolidWorks reads polygon mesh data stored in STL files and imports it into SolidWorks. A polygon mesh in a STL file is comprised of a set of triangular faces. STL Import for SolidWorks creates trimmed planar surfaces for each triangle and knits them together to create a body. If the polygon mesh is closed (i.e. it does not contain boundary edges) then STL Import for SolidWorks will create a closed body feature, otherwise an open surface will be created.

STL Import for SolidWorks is very easy to use as it adds new commands to SolidWorks. It also adds a submenu to the SolidWorks menu called "STLImport".

System Requirements

Below is the hardware, software and operating system requirements for SolidWorks add-ins running on the Microsoft Windows platform. 

• SolidWorks (32 Bit and 64 Bit): 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013
  
  
• Operating System (32 Bit and 64 Bit): Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows Vista
  
  
• RAM: 1 GB (Recommended 2 GB)

Download & Purchase

Please download a fully functional trial of STL Import for SolidWorks by clicking on the "Download Now" button below. To start using the software, you need a license key. A license key can be of two types: Trial or Permanent. A trial key is issued to you on the purchase of '7 day license' so that you may try the software before you purchase a permanent key. A permanent key is issued after you have purchased a license. We are confident that during the trial period (7 days with unlimited runs) you will find STL Import for SolidWorks extremely useful. Later when you decide to buy the software please return to this page and click the "Buy with/without Subscription" button to place your order. Upon verifying the order you will recieve an e-mail with instructions on how to obtain your permanent key. 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.

		3.38 MB
		$29.99
		$345
		$295

IMPORTANT! Purchasing a Subscription is highly recommended since it the most cost effective way of keeping your software up to date. Moreover, Subscription entitles you to get a second free perpetual license for your laptop, among many other benefits. For details please read the SYCODE License and Subscription Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Our licenses are single computer licenses and are locked to each computer they are installed on. Basically, the license key is specific to the computer's Host ID (the MAC address of the computer), and will not work on another computer. The installer picks up the physical MAC address of the network card connected to the computer which is basically “Ethernet adapter Network Connect Adapter”. So unless you change your network card, the key will always work even if you reinstall your operating system. If your internal network is periodically assigning a different Host ID to your computer, then please find a solution for this with your IT department.

Note: Downloading this software indicates your acceptance to the SYCODE Software License Agreement. The price mentioned above is for a single user license. For your bulk-licensing needs please contact us.

Installation & Usage

Since STL Import for SolidWorks is an add-in for SolidWorks, it must be loaded into the SolidWorks environment before it can be used. Please follow the simple instructions in the STL Import for SolidWorks ReadMe document which is copied into the installation folder. After you have loaded the add-in file into SolidWorks, Simply click on the menu items in the "STLImport" submenu to run these new commands. Truly, software made simple!

The 'STLImport' submenu consists of the following commands:

• Import - Import a STL file
  
  
• Help - Display the STL Import for SolidWorks help file
  
  
• Register - Register your copy of STL Import for SolidWorks
  
  
• About - Display the STL Import for SolidWorks About box

STL Import for SolidWorks comes with detailed documentation for each command as well as a  tutorial to get you started in the shortest possible time.

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 Import for SolidWorks to work in a different way to suit your workflow, do let us know. We will customize the add-in to suit your needs.