Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

I ask as, from time to time, I see designs with files supplied which
which would be quite useful- the latest is a neat 'extension' to allow
the cover to fit on a car fuse box when uses those fuse 'add a circuit'
fuse holders.

I don't think I'd use a 3D printer enough to justify buying one but I'm
sure I could find someone with one who would run off the odd project for
me, in return for a another favour or payment etc.

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Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

Brian wrote:

Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

Most slicers will take in models in STL format and render them as
G-code, but the G-code will be for a specific printer.

The source file formats for the design are typically specific to the 3D
design software, which can then output STL. STL is a bit like the 'PDF' of
3D printing. It's easy to view but awkward to edit - you'd really prefer to edit the source file (a Word doc in this analogy). Then the slicer is the equivalent of the HP printer driver that generates whatever G-codes your particular printer speaks, with your chosen settings for this job (like
print double sided or colour or whatever).

Theo

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Brian wrote:

Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

Most slicers will take in models in STL format and render them as
G-code, but the G-code will be for a specific printer.

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Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

Brian wrote:

Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

Most slicers will take in models in STL format and render them as
G-code, but the G-code will be for a specific printer.

The source file formats for the design are typically specific to the 3D design software, which can then output STL. STL is a bit like the 'PDF' of 3D printing. It's easy to view but awkward to edit - you'd really prefer to edit the source file (a Word doc in this analogy). Then the slicer is the equivalent of the HP printer driver that generates whatever G-codes your particular printer speaks, with your chosen settings for this job (like
print double sided or colour or whatever).

Theo

Thank you both.

I’ve found a local company which offers a prototyping service and uploaded the files. I can’t believe how cheap they are for one offs. True, the parts aren’t large or complex, essentially two boxes without tops or bottoms ( ie just sides) about 15 cm by 2 cm at an estimate which clip together.

The price, under £2 each - although that is in the cheapest material.

The files I downloaded, which were made available to people to use etc, are indeed Stl files.

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On 10/12/2023 12:04, Brian wrote:

Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

I ask as, from time to time, I see designs with files supplied which
which would be quite useful- the latest is a neat 'extension' to allow
the cover to fit on a car fuse box when uses those fuse 'add a circuit'
fuse holders.

I don't think I'd use a 3D printer enough to justify buying one but I'm
sure I could find someone with one who would run off the odd project for
me, in return for a another favour or payment etc.

More or less.

My mate who does 3D for me accepts .STL fiiles, (STereoLithography, I
think) which are huge mathematical descriptions of polygonal surfaces. A
solid object is simply a closed surface. It is essentially a series of
X,Y, Z points that define the surface.

That gets sent to a piece of software - freeware in fact - that
generates 'slices' exactly one plastic layer thick, in another file
format. That is what the printer uses to actually spit out the hotSnot.
So *that* software needs the printers parameters feeding in. Its output
is simply a file that you can stick on a pen drive and plug into he
printer. At the most basic level anyway.


My actual CAD is done in a completely incompatible format using a
different mathematical description, but fortunately it has the ability
to turn that into polygonal meshes and export those via the STL format.

--
“I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most
obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which
they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.”

― Leo Tolstoy

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On Sun, 10 Dec 2023 13:15:22 -0000 (UTC)
Brian <noinv@lid.org> wrote:

Thank you both.

I’ve found a local company which offers a prototyping service and
uploaded the files. I can’t believe how cheap they are for one offs.
True, the parts aren’t large or complex, essentially two boxes
without tops or bottoms ( ie just sides) about 15 cm by 2 cm at an
estimate which clip together.

The price, under £2 each - although that is in the cheapest material.

That amazes me, not having needed any 3-D printed parts. I would never
have thought that something that, not long ago, was a new concept,
could be so cheap so soon. I might just investigate this.
I recently looked at the prices of the printers in my latest CPC
catalogue, out of interest, and again I could not believe how cheap they
are.

--
Davey.

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On 10/12/2023 13:15, Brian wrote:

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

Brian wrote:

Are the file formats for 3D printers standard, please?

Most slicers will take in models in STL format and render them as
G-code, but the G-code will be for a specific printer.

The source file formats for the design are typically specific to the 3D
design software, which can then output STL. STL is a bit like the 'PDF' of >> 3D printing. It's easy to view but awkward to edit - you'd really prefer to >> edit the source file (a Word doc in this analogy). Then the slicer is the >> equivalent of the HP printer driver that generates whatever G-codes your
particular printer speaks, with your chosen settings for this job (like
print double sided or colour or whatever).

Theo

Thank you both.

I’ve found a local company which offers a prototyping service and uploaded the files. I can’t believe how cheap they are for one offs. True, the parts aren’t large or complex, essentially two boxes without tops or bottoms ( ie just sides) about 15 cm by 2 cm at an estimate which clip together.

The price, under £2 each - although that is in the cheapest material.

The files I downloaded, which were made available to people to use etc, are indeed Stl files.

Can you tell us whom you are using, please?

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GB <NOTsomeone@microsoft.invalid> wrote:

Can you tell us whom you are using, please?

I've used jlcpcb.com who are in a similar ballpark, but in China. I'd be interested to know of UK suppliers.

Theo
(whose 3D printer is currently broken and have been ordering 3D printed
parts to upgrade it)

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