3D Insider is ad supported and earns money from clicks, commissions from sales, and other ways.
Raise3D’s unique slicer software, ideaMaker is a seamless, free 3D printing tool that helps develop G-Code and can support file-formats including STL, 3MF, OLTP, and OBJ. Mac users can also join in on the fun. It has a user-friendly interface for beginners and highly customization features for professionals. Use this page to discover and download quality STL files for 3D printer. Every month we publish our favorite selection of our six best 3D models. To appear in this part of Cults, you have to propose an original design, a beautiful photo of your 3D printed object and it is also important that the 3D model has already engaged the community. First there is no need to have a 3d stl viewer if you have a 3D printer. But like some of you already said 3DTOOL is for me the best tool to view STL files and other CAD files. And it does have some nice features also, like a RP build platform simulator to see if your design fits on a specific 3D printer.
If you have spent lots of time downloading free 3D models online for 3D printing, then you probably know that these models may not always be ready to be printed. There may be some cases when models are not manifold, or their walls or shells are too thin for 3D printing. When you encounter these, then some STL repair may be in order.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the best software options for repairing STL files. All the software we will showcase are free to use.
1. Blender
In terms of the richness of features, few free 3D modeling software can come close to Blender. This open-source cross-platform software has been used extensively in 3D modeling, animation, construction, interior design, and video game development.
Blender allows you to import STL files, move around the edges of individual planes, or even sub-divide planes into more triangles. You can also easily add simple shapes or remove certain parts of a model.
For making repairs, Blender makes the process a lot easier by providing a 3D Print Toolbox. When this add-on is activated, it will automatically scan your model for errors such as non-manifold edges or overhangs that require support structures. You can automatically correct these errors with one-button commands.
Blender does seem a bit overkill if you’re just making simple edits to STL files. There is a substantial learning curve to grasping all of the tools that the software puts in your hands. However, learning how to use Blender is a great kick-off point towards the larger world of 3D modeling.
2. FreeCAD
FreeCAD is another open-source platform for pro-level 3D modeling. In terms of features and comprehensiveness of tools, it is pretty much at par with Blender. It also demands a substantial amount of experience before you can fully wield its tools, but its interface is a little less daunting for beginners.
FreeCAD has a native Import Mesh function that makes it easy to load STL files regardless of how complex they are. Again, adding or subtracting features from the original STL file is fairly intuitive using FreeCAD’s drag-and-drop workbench.
FreeCAD also has a built-in tool for evaluating any mesh design. It can perform several tests simultaneously that can look for non-manifold surfaces, duplicate faces, or any other potential problems for 3D printing. These issues can also be repaired automatically.
3. Meshmixer
Meshmixer is a mesh editing program that you can download for free from Autodesk. As a product of the specialists in 3D modeling, Meshmixer is considerably better than many other free mesh editing platforms.
Meshmixer offers a robust selection of tools for editing mesh 3D models. You can add basic shapes to a model, make cutting planes, or even do free 3D sculpting Meshmixer has functions specialized for 3D printing such as adding support structures and converting models to solids suitable for 3D printing.
The downside of Meshmixer is that it is no longer going to be updated by Autodesk. The essential features of Meshmixer have been integrated into Fusion360, which is also an excellent 3D modeling program. Unfortunately, Fusion360 is not free beyond a short trial.
4. MeshLab
MeshLab, as the name implies, is a free software for editing mesh-based 3D models. In this regard, it is a bit limited but also more focused on what you need to edit and repair STL files.
MeshLab is an option for you to edit STL files without all the clutter of the more sophisticated modeling programs. Just import your mesh, delete faces if you want, or merge multiple models together. One thing that MeshLab cannot do is to create new objects to add to an existing model – you will need another software for that.
Despite the simplicity of the platform, MeshLab also allows you to check the suitability of a model for 3D printing with just a few menu commands. MeshLab also has several cleaning and repairing tools that you can just run automatically.
5. TinkerCAD
TinkerCAD is far from being the best platform for editing STL files. One thing it has going for it is that it’s incredibly fast and easy to use. The main reason for this is that TinkerCAD is a completely web-based platform. This means that you will not need to download any program to start editing your STL files.
The simple interface of TinkerCAD makes it one of the most beginner-friendly platforms for editing STL files. Adding or subtracting shapes or cutting a model across a plane can be done easily through the program’s drag-and-drop system. You can also import other STL files to modify the model that you are working on.
TinkerCAD does not have any automated tools for assessing and repairing mesh files for 3D printing. This is problematic if your STL file has issues with non-manifold surfaces. You likely also won’t be able to fix these serious issues with the toolset that TinkerCAD provides.
TinkerCAD is an easy option for when you just want to make quick and simple edits to an STL file. However, it is not suitable for repairing a file that that has serious 3D printing-related issues.
Why you should edit or repair STL files
First off, let’s distinguish between editing or repairing an STL file. Editing implies doing something deliberate to the 3D model so that you can alter it according to your preference. The changes done here are typically quite simple – adding shapes to a model or removing parts of the model so that you 3D print only the parts that you need. In this case, the original STL file is not necessarily broken.
Repairing an STL file means that the original model is not fit for 3D printing. There are many reasons why this could happen. Keep in mind that the surface of an STL file is made up of a series of small, tessellated triangles that approximate the appearance of curved surfaces.
The process of converting a curved surface to an array of triangles isn’t always perfect. Things could go wrong along the way resulting in missing edges, floating parts, or surfaces that intersect with each other. When this happens, your slicer will not be able to process the 3D model to create a G-Code.
![Best Free Stl Editor Best Free Stl Editor](https://top3dshop.com/image/catalog/blog/best_free_stl_editors/image_21.jpg)
A note on editing STL files
Most of the 3D printing files that you can download for free are protected under the Creative Commons (CC) license. This usually means that you are free to share the model or adapt it as you deem necessary. This has become one of the driving forces for the growth of the community as creators create new models or remix and transform the work done by other people.
What you can do with your remixed model depends on the type of CC license associated with the original work. In most cases, remixed models can be shared with attribution to the maker of the original model. You may also have to detail the specific changes you made. A remixed model may also have to be shared under a similar type of CC license if the original work was published with the “ShareAlike” term.
If you’re planning to sell a 3D printed object from a remixed model, then make sure that the original model did not have a “Non-Commercial” license.
Final thoughts
Editing STL files and coming up with remixes has been a core component of the growth of the 3D printing community in the last couple of years. The good news is that you don’t need to buy fancy 3D modeling software to make your own edits to a currently existing STL file. The programs we have listed here are more than capable of modifying downloaded STL files.
There are also some cases when STL files are damaged and are unsuitable for 3D printing. These programs can also quickly detect these errors and correct them without you having to manually do the corrections one by one.
Warning; 3D printers should never be left unattended. They can pose a firesafety hazard.
Hello
What's the best STL viewer/editor?
I know that most CAD applications can open the STL format but they are not very efficient. I guess that there are more specialized ones able to work better and faster with these files.
I know that most CAD applications can open the STL format but they are not very efficient. I guess that there are more specialized ones able to work better and faster with these files.
Regards
17 Answers
I find this free viewer (3D-Tool Free Viewer) works well for checking .stl files: http://www.3d-tool.de/english/cad-viewer-download.htm
Make sure to click the second Download button from the top to download the free viewer.
Hi.
That one is the one I'm currently using because I also thing is not too bad.
thanks
Thanks for the suggestion....just got it and so far looks promising! I am able to view and get measurements of the parts in the STL file! So glad I don't have to import those files into a CAD software and figure out a way to measure the part that way!! Whew! Dodged a bullet thanks to this!
I programmed https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en to view STL files because the other programs were not efficient. It’s so fast you can browse a folder full of STLs in seconds.
There’s a performance comparison with other programs on that page. No editing files, though.
I have been using a a trial of 3Matic... This allows me to analyse, fix & repair, edit, add/remove features from stl, open multiple stls in assembly, and create features (like mounting points through extrusions and cuts)...
This is very useful software and you can edit parts just like in a standard CAD format, but with meshs and stls! So it allows you to skip the reverse engineering process and modify directly to stls. It is also expensive at around 3000 dollar bills!
Does anyone know of any similar software that is cheap/cheaper or free???
This would help massively with my work!!
Thanks for the tip about Meshlabs! Worked perfectly.
You could try 'netfabb Studio basic' - free tool for import of STL and you could also export in some other format. It could repair, analyse, stitch and more...but you have to GOOGLE it as the version for free is not any longer on their website.
Another tool for just viewing is 'eDrawings 2014' from Solid Works. Works fine. You just have to register to download.
Free Stl Files For Cnc
Maybe this could help as well:
It is supposed to be quite efficient.
First there is no need to have a 3d stl viewer if you have a 3D printer.
But like some of you already said 3DTOOL is for me the best tool to view STL files and other CAD files. And it does have some nice features also, like a RP build platform simulator to see if your design fits on a specific 3D printer. Measuring tools and annotation tools and cross section tools also.
What i like the most is the ability to send a 3d model to a client that does not have any 3d cad applications at all. Simply send a 3d tool format file to a client. And they simply click on it and open the file without the need to have a expensive CAD software. And here comes the glory it does uninstall automatically if you close the file.
you can also make some animated views like in solidworks eDrawings.
Or exploded views... Simply great !
But if you really need to do some fysical adjustments like repairs...I think Meshlab is indeed the best choice.
But like some of you already said 3DTOOL is for me the best tool to view STL files and other CAD files. And it does have some nice features also, like a RP build platform simulator to see if your design fits on a specific 3D printer. Measuring tools and annotation tools and cross section tools also.
What i like the most is the ability to send a 3d model to a client that does not have any 3d cad applications at all. Simply send a 3d tool format file to a client. And they simply click on it and open the file without the need to have a expensive CAD software. And here comes the glory it does uninstall automatically if you close the file.
you can also make some animated views like in solidworks eDrawings.
Or exploded views... Simply great !
But if you really need to do some fysical adjustments like repairs...I think Meshlab is indeed the best choice.
http://www.glc-player.net/ is the best I've found (and I've tried all of the above). Free, lightweight, fast loading browser.
Here is a cloud based STL viewer (free and no installation is required. Just use you web-browser): http://www.cadflux.com/gallery
Note: It is currently in early stages of development.
Modify Stl File
ArtisGL 3D Publisher is the universal easy-to-use 3D tool, which allows to import 3D content (supports about 40 3D formats), view, design and edit it. ArtisGL 3D Publisher provides several options for publishing and distributing high quality 3D content in different ways and formats.
ArtisGL 3D publisher is available for free download from Windows 10 store
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/artisgl-3d-publisher/9mz5g32q9zgw?rtc=1
ArtisGL 3D publisher is available for free download from Windows 10 store
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/artisgl-3d-publisher/9mz5g32q9zgw?rtc=1
Online Stl Editor
This one can be an alternative - http://software.materialise.com/minimagics
It is free, you have to complete form for download.
It is free, you have to complete form for download.