What is "STL (stereolithography) file format"

STL (Stereolithography) is a file format commonly used in 3D printing and CNC machining to represent 3D models as a series of triangles.

An STL file contains a representation of a 3D object, including the shape and size of its surface, as well as information about the triangles that make up the surface. The triangles are defined by the X, Y, and Z coordinates of their vertices, and are used to create a mesh-like structure that approximates the shape of the object.

Because STL files do not contain any information about the source geometry, STL files are very difficult to edit.

STL is the primary format for MeshCAM