STL Import for SolidWorks 1.0

STL Import for SolidWorks is an add-in for SolidWorks. This add-in gives SolidWorks the ability to import graphical data from ASCII as well as binary Stereolithography (STL) files.

The STL file format has become the Rapid Prototyping industrys standard data transmission format and is the format required to interact with stereolithography machines. This format approximates the surfaces of a solid model with triangles.

Stereolithography files contain solids which are made up of 3 sided facets. STL Import for SolidWorks reads these triangular surfaces and knits them into a solid in a new SolidWorks part document.

If the attempt to knit the surfaces into a solid succeeds, the solid appears as the base feature (named Imported1). If the surfaces represent multiple closed volumes, then one part is made for each closed volume. In case the attempt to knit the surfaces fails, the surfaces will be grouped into one or more surface features (named Surface-Imported1, 2, ...).

STL Import for SolidWorks is very easy to use as it adds a new file type to the SolidWorks File Open dialog box. To import a STL file select Open from the File menu. Select "Stereolithography Files (*.stl)" from the "File of type" combo box and select a STL file to import. A new part document will be created containing the imported STL file.