[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":179},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-how-to-convert-step-to-stl":3,"blog-posts":18},{"slug":4,"category":5,"date":6,"description":7,"image":8,"readTime":9,"tags":10,"title":16,"bodyHtml":17},"how-to-convert-step-to-stl","Guides","2026-09-30","Convert STEP to STL in Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Onshape or FreeCAD with the right tolerance settings, or skip it and upload the STEP file directly.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-convert-step-to-stl.png","4 min read",[11,12,13,14,15],"STEP","STL","CAD","file format","export","How to Convert STEP to STL (and When You Don’t Need To)","\u003Cp>STEP is how engineers share CAD models, but STL is what most 3D printers and slicers expect. If you've been sent a .step or .stp file and want it printed, you need to turn it into an STL (or 3MF) first. That takes about a minute in most CAD tools. This guide covers how to do it in the common tools, the export settings that matter, and the shortcut: if you're printing with us, you can upload the STEP file directly and skip converting altogether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-vs-stl-whats-the-difference\">STEP vs STL: What's the Difference?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>They describe geometry in fundamentally different ways:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>STEP (.step, .stp)\u003C\u002Fstrong> stores \u003Cem>exact\u003C\u002Fem> geometry. A hole is a true circle, a fillet is a true curve, and the file knows which faces are planes, cylinders or splines. It's the standard exchange format between CAD programs and can hold whole assemblies.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>STL (.stl)\u003C\u002Fstrong> stores only a surface made of flat triangles. Curves are approximated by many small facets. It has no units, no colours and no concept of separate parts. More detail is in \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fstl-vs-3mf-which-file-format-to-use\">STL vs 3MF\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Converting STEP to STL is called \u003Cstrong>tessellation\u003C\u002Fstrong>: the software places triangles over every curved surface. The only real decision is how fine those triangles should be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"the-settings-that-matter\">The Settings That Matter\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Most tools expose two tolerances, sometimes behind a \"Refinement\" or \"Options\" button:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ctable>\n  \u003Cthead>\n    \u003Ctr>\u003Cth>Setting\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>What it controls\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>Good value for FDM printing\u003C\u002Fth>\u003C\u002Ftr>\n  \u003C\u002Fthead>\n  \u003Ctbody>\n    \u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Chord \u002F surface deviation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>How far a facet may sit from the true curve\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>0.01–0.05 mm\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\n    \u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Angular deviation \u002F normal deviation\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>The maximum angle between neighbouring facets\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>5–15°\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\n    \u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Format\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Binary or ASCII STL\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Binary (much smaller)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\n    \u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Units\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Millimetres or inches\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>Millimetres\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\n  \u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp>A layer of FDM plastic is typically 0.2 mm tall and a nozzle is 0.4 mm wide, so deviations much below 0.01 mm won't show up in the print. They just make the file bigger. Going the other way, a coarse export turns small holes into visible polygons and can make press-fits too tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-convert-in-common-tools\">How to Convert in Common Tools\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"fusion-360\">Fusion 360\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Open the STEP file (it imports as a design), then right-click the body or component in the browser and choose \u003Cstrong>Save As Mesh\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Set the format to STL (binary), units to millimetres, and refinement to \"High\" or a custom surface deviation of about 0.02 mm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"solidworks\">SolidWorks\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Open the .step file, then use \u003Cstrong>File → Save As\u003C\u002Fstrong> and choose STL. Click \u003Cstrong>Options\u003C\u002Fstrong> and set Resolution to \"Fine\" or \"Custom\", Output as binary, Units to millimetres. For assemblies, tick \"Save all components of an assembly in a single file\" if you want one mesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"onshape\">Onshape\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Import the STEP file into a document, right-click the part in the Part Studio, and choose \u003Cstrong>Export\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Pick STL, binary, millimetres, and resolution \"Fine\".\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"freecad-free\">FreeCAD (free)\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Open the STEP file, switch to the \u003Cstrong>Mesh Design\u003C\u002Fstrong> workbench, and use \u003Cstrong>Meshes → Create mesh from shape\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Choose \"Standard\" with a surface deviation of about 0.02 mm and angular deviation of about 10°, then export the resulting mesh as STL.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"bambu-studio-prusaslicer-and-orcaslicer\">Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Recent versions of these slicers can import STEP directly and tessellate it for you. If you only need a print, you may not need a separate conversion step at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"what-about-online-converters\">What About Online Converters?\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Free online STEP-to-STL converters work for simple parts. Keep two things in mind. First, you're uploading your design to a third party, which may not be acceptable for client or work files under an NDA. Second, most don't expose the tolerance settings, so small features can come out coarse. For anything confidential or precise, use a local CAD tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"common-problems-after-conversion\">Common Problems After Conversion\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>The model is tiny or huge.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The export used inches, or the file was interpreted as metres. A part that is exactly 25.4× too small was exported in inches. Our quote page catches this and offers a one-click fix.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Visible facets on curves.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The tolerance was too coarse. Re-export with a smaller chord deviation.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>A huge file.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The tolerance was too fine. Anything over about 50 MB for a single part is usually overkill.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Gaps or non-manifold errors.\u003C\u002Fstrong> These usually come from surfaces that never formed a closed solid in the original CAD. Fix them at the source if you can. Our guide to \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-prepare-stl-files-for-3d-printing\">preparing STL files\u003C\u002Fa> covers mesh repair.\u003C\u002Fli>\n  \u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Assembly parts fused together.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Exporting an assembly as one STL merges everything into a single mesh. Export parts separately if they need to be printed separately.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"or-skip-the-conversion-entirely\">Or Skip the Conversion Entirely\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>If the goal is a printed part, you don't need to convert at all. Our \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcreate\">quote page\u003C\u002Fa> accepts \u003Cstrong>STEP and IGES files directly\u003C\u002Fstrong>, alongside STL, 3MF and OBJ. We tessellate the file on our side at settings tuned for our printers. If you upload an \u003Cstrong>assembly\u003C\u002Fstrong>, we split it into its individual parts and price each one, so you can see exactly what every component costs. The same works for a ZIP of several files.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uploading the STEP file also avoids unit mistakes, because STEP carries real units and we read them directly. Files up to 100 MB are accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>Got a STEP file from your CAD package or a supplier? Drop it on the quote page. No conversion needed.\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcreate\">Upload your STEP file for an instant quote\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>",[19,32,46,60,71,82,84,95,103,113,123,135,142,151,159,169],{"slug":20,"category":5,"date":21,"description":22,"image":23,"readTime":24,"tags":25,"title":30,"updated_at":31},"3d-printing-infill-explained","2026-05-09","Infill controls a print's strength, weight, print time and cost. A material-by-material guide to infill percentage and patterns, with a quick-reference table.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printing-infill-explained.png","9 min read",[26,27,28,29],"infill","strength","cost saving","design tips","3D Printing Infill Explained: How Much Do You Really Need?","2026-08-22T00:00:00Z",{"slug":33,"category":34,"date":35,"description":36,"image":37,"readTime":38,"tags":39,"title":45,"updated_at":31},"fdm-vs-resin-3d-printing-which-to-choose","Materials","2026-05-27","FDM and resin (SLA) printing produce very different results. Compare strength, detail, cost and use cases to pick the right process for your project.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Ffdm-vs-resin-3d-printing-which-to-choose.png","7 min read",[40,41,42,43,44],"FDM","resin","SLA","comparison","detail","FDM vs Resin 3D Printing: Which Should You Choose?",{"slug":47,"category":5,"date":48,"description":49,"image":50,"readTime":51,"tags":52,"title":58,"updated_at":59},"how-much-does-3d-printing-cost-in-singapore","2026-05-20","What 3D printing actually costs in Singapore — real material rates, the minimum order and delivery fee, plus two worked examples, so you know what to expect.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-much-does-3d-printing-cost-in-singapore.png","12 min read",[53,54,55,56,57],"pricing","cost","Singapore","quote","beginners","How Much Does 3D Printing Cost in Singapore?","2026-07-31T00:00:00Z",{"slug":61,"category":5,"date":62,"description":63,"image":64,"readTime":65,"tags":66,"title":70,"updated_at":31},"how-strong-are-3d-printed-parts","2026-05-23","Can 3D-printed parts handle real loads? Learn what determines strength — material, infill, walls and orientation — and how to design parts that hold up.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-strong-are-3d-printed-parts.png","8 min read",[27,67,26,68,69],"durability","orientation","engineering","How Strong Are 3D-Printed Parts?",{"slug":72,"category":5,"date":6,"description":73,"image":74,"readTime":9,"tags":75,"title":81},"how-to-3d-print-your-fyp-or-school-project","Getting an FYP prototype, D&T coursework piece or architecture model 3D printed in Singapore: file prep, scale, keeping costs down and meeting deadlines.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-3d-print-your-fyp-or-school-project.png",[76,77,78,79,80],"FYP","coursework","architecture models","school projects","budget","How to 3D Print Your FYP, Coursework or Architecture Model in Singapore",{"slug":4,"category":5,"date":6,"description":7,"image":8,"readTime":9,"tags":83,"title":16},[11,12,13,14,15],{"slug":85,"category":5,"date":6,"description":86,"image":87,"readTime":88,"tags":89,"title":94},"how-to-get-a-makerworld-model-printed-in-singapore","No 3D printer? Paste a MakerWorld, Printables or Thingiverse link and get it printed in Singapore. How to pick the file, check the licence and choose a material.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-get-a-makerworld-model-printed-in-singapore.png","5 min read",[90,91,92,93,57],"MakerWorld","Printables","Thingiverse","licence","How to Get a MakerWorld, Printables or Thingiverse Model Printed in Singapore",{"slug":96,"category":5,"date":6,"description":97,"image":98,"readTime":9,"tags":99,"title":102},"how-to-get-something-3d-printed-in-singapore","Getting something 3D printed in Singapore from start to finish: getting a file, choosing a material, cost, ordering, payment and collection or delivery.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-get-something-3d-printed-in-singapore.png",[57,100,55,101,53],"3D printing service","materials","How to Get Something 3D Printed in Singapore: A Step-by-Step Guide",{"slug":104,"category":5,"date":105,"description":106,"image":107,"readTime":108,"tags":109,"title":112},"how-to-prepare-stl-files-for-3d-printing","2025-03-28","Everything you need to know about exporting, checking, and fixing STL files before sending them for 3D printing. Avoid common mistakes that cause failed prints.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-prepare-stl-files-for-3d-printing.png","6 min read",[12,110,57,111],"file preparation","3MF","How to Prepare STL Files for 3D Printing: A Beginner's Guide",{"slug":114,"category":5,"date":6,"description":115,"image":116,"readTime":9,"tags":117,"title":122},"lithophanes-guide-choosing-the-right-photo","How 3D-printed lithophanes work, which photos turn out best, sizes and prices in Singapore, and how to light and display one.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Flithophanes-guide-choosing-the-right-photo.png",[118,119,120,121],"lithophane","gifts","photo","PLA","Lithophanes: What They Are and How to Choose the Right Photo",{"slug":124,"category":34,"date":125,"description":126,"image":127,"readTime":9,"tags":128,"title":134},"outdoor-3d-prints-choosing-the-right-material","2025-04-10","Not all 3D printing materials survive outdoors. Learn which filaments handle UV, rain, and heat — and which ones will warp, fade, or crack.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Foutdoor-3d-prints-choosing-the-right-material.png",[129,130,131,132,133],"outdoor","ASA","PETG","UV resistance","weathering","Outdoor 3D Prints: Choosing the Right Material for Sun and Rain",{"slug":136,"category":34,"date":137,"description":138,"image":139,"readTime":88,"tags":140,"title":141},"pla-vs-petg-which-material-should-you-choose","2025-03-15","A practical comparison of PLA and PETG — the two most popular FDM materials. Learn when to use each based on strength, heat resistance, and application.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fpla-vs-petg-which-material-should-you-choose.png",[121,131,101,43],"PLA vs PETG: Which 3D Printing Material Should You Choose?",{"slug":143,"category":5,"date":144,"description":145,"image":146,"readTime":88,"tags":147,"title":150},"reducing-3d-printing-costs-tips-for-smarter-designs","2025-04-22","Simple design changes that can cut your 3D printing costs significantly. Learn about wall thickness, infill, orientation, and support optimisation.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Freducing-3d-printing-costs-tips-for-smarter-designs.png",[28,29,26,148,149],"supports","optimisation","Reducing 3D Printing Costs: Tips for Smarter Designs",{"slug":152,"category":5,"date":153,"description":154,"image":155,"readTime":156,"tags":157,"title":158,"updated_at":31},"stl-vs-3mf-which-file-format-to-use","2026-05-16","STL is the classic 3D printing format, but 3MF carries units, colour and multi-part data. How they differ, how to export each, and which to send us.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fstl-vs-3mf-which-file-format-to-use.png","10 min read",[12,111,14,15,13],"STL vs 3MF: Which 3D Printing File Format Should You Use?",{"slug":160,"category":5,"date":161,"description":162,"image":163,"readTime":24,"tags":164,"title":168,"updated_at":59},"what-can-you-3d-print-real-world-ideas","2026-05-29","From replacement parts to custom gifts, real ideas for what to 3D print in Singapore — grouped by use case, matched to materials, with real workshop examples.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fwhat-can-you-3d-print-real-world-ideas.png",[165,166,57,167],"ideas","inspiration","use cases","What Can You 3D Print? 15 Real-World Ideas",{"slug":170,"category":171,"date":6,"description":172,"image":173,"readTime":88,"tags":174,"title":178},"whats-new-at-zerocore-september-2026","News","Paste a MakerWorld or Printables link, upload STEP, IGES or OBJ files, map multi-colour 3MFs and track every order. Everything new on zerocore.sg.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fwhats-new-at-zerocore-september-2026.png",[175,90,11,176,177],"updates","multi-colour","order tracking","What’s New at ZeroCore: Link Imports, STEP Uploads, Colour Slots and More",1791379050734]