43

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

8 Answers 8

44

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

1
  • 1
    Just a warning: meshlab is terrible for doing any per vertex or per surface rendering. I.e. you can't easily select faces and move them around.
    – Catskul
    Jun 4, 2014 at 22:51
9

Blender is the best, just import the file.

1
  • To clarify: apt install blender, run it, select File→Import→Stl… and navigate to the directory with the *.stl files. (It's apparently not possible to paste the path into the File dialogue. ☹) Sep 21, 2023 at 20:19
6

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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    That doesn't seem to work very well. And technically, that doesn't let you edit the STL file. It just converts the STL file to OpenSCAD's internal format using raytracing, which takes forever.
    – Cerin
    Dec 25, 2014 at 2:57
6

You can use F3D for this task.

f3d yourFile.stl
3

You could try OpenSCAD. It is free and is available for Ubuntu.

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  • 3
    but it couldn't open the .stl file i had..
    – AmirRazoR
    Jan 25, 2013 at 12:32
  • That's strange. The site says it opens and create stl files. Are you sure you're file is not damaged in some way? Jan 25, 2013 at 12:36
  • yes i am absolutely sure my file is fine.
    – AmirRazoR
    Jan 25, 2013 at 12:42
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    It won't open .stl files indeed.
    – Dr_Bunsen
    May 10, 2013 at 7:40
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    you can import STL files using the import function: import("file.stl", convexity=3);. You will then be able to see the model in the preview window.
    – s-ol
    Sep 22, 2019 at 12:26
1

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.

1

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

-2

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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