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AmirRazoR
Asked: 2013-01-26 01:15:15 +0800 CST

What software should I install for opening .stl files?

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I use Ubuntu 12.10. What software can I install that can open Physible .stl files? And what are the differences between these softwares?

12.10

8 Answers

  1. Meshlab reads all kind of 3D meshes, also STL

    sudo apt-get install meshlab
meshlab file.stl

    Example with this file:

    enter image description here

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  2. Blender is the best, just import the file.

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  3. From OpenSCAD's online User Manual

    STL Import - http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/STL_Import

    import_stl("filename.stl", convexity = <val>)

    As of version 2019.01, if you do from the command line:

    openscad file.stdl

    it automatically opens the GUI with the right command to view the file e.g.:

    import("/home/ciro/git/OSP/Hardware/CAD Files/P1 - X-Axis Motor Holder/P1 - X-Axis Motor Holder.STL");

    Then you can click Design > Render, and it gives for this sample file:

    enter image description here

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  4. You can use F3D for this task.

    f3d yourFile.stl
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  5. You could try OpenSCAD. It is free and is available for Ubuntu.

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  6. Since OpenSCAD version 2015.03-1, it should work also to import .stl files. Please use a command like this:

    import("/home/documents/Screw.stl", convexity=3);

    and push the preview button, as suggested by Hall above.

    This should work!

    To edit the .stl as an object in OpenSCAD, create a module like:

    module Screw(){
      import("/home/documents/Screw.stl", convexity=3);
}

    Now you are able to recall it with Screw() for further actions.

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  7. FreeCAD https://www.freecadweb.org/ also can import *.stl files

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  8. I use ChiTuBox on Ubuntu 18.04 (I know you were asking about 12.04 but that was 6 years ago!).

    https://www.chitubox.com/download.html

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