The extension.STL stands for Stereolithography, the standard file format used for 3D printing. The STL file format stores information about the 3D models. Most of the 3D models use this file format to print 3D objects. Its primary use is in 3D printing, radio-prototyping, and computer-aided manufacturing. Thus, you must know about the best STL File Viewer out there.

These STL viewers are a handy and efficient way to have an idea of the 3D object that you want to print. Most of them cost nothing and are available across different platforms, whether Windows, Mac OS, Linus, or Android. Different STL viewers have various features according to the need of the user. So go through the list below to find out which suits you the best.

12 Best STL File Viewers to Use Today

Here, presenting our hand-picked list of STEP file viewers that are free and easy to use.

GOM

GOM Inspect is a straightforward STL file viewer software with fewer attributes and is compatible with low component devices. This software allows you to see STEP files and allows you to edit these files. The disadvantage of using this viewer is that you can only make only some changes to the files.

GOM
GOM

GOM Inspect is free to use the software, and you can directly download it from the official website. It is a child’s play for expert hands. This freeware allows you to make STEP Files from the very start and enable you to make triangular components.

Visit: GOM

GMSH

GMSH is an open-source STEP File viewing freeware. It comes with a preinstalled CAD engine and a post-processor. This free STL file viewer is a very interactive viewer with lightning-fast and easy-to-use mesh options.

GMSH
GMSH

GMSH is a 3D finite object mesh generator packed with four distinct modules like post-processing (due to the post-processor installed), solver, geometry, and mesh. It comes with all the significant attributes. These contribute to an easy understanding of the result. The classical interface is the eye-catcher.

Visit: GMSH

En Suite-view

En Suite-view also comes under the free category of STL File viewer. The easy-to-use freeware comes with a lot of features and tools. You can open all CAD formats that include GCR, CATIA V4, and many more. The interface of the software is more user-friendly than any other software.

en-suite viewer
en-suite viewer

En Suite-View can perform multiple tasks like compare parts, measure lengths and distances, translate, etc., thus making it an easy to grasp software. The tools are a piece of cake for the users.

Visit: En Suite-View

See also: Free eps file viewer

GLC Player

Are you looking for an all in one STL file viewer? Well! Well! GLC Player is the one you should have on your PC then. This multi-tasking freeware is utilized to Make, Edit, View, and Change STL files. GLC Player is recommended for professionals.

GLC player
GLC player

The user-friendly, easy tools can help you do massive projects accurately in no time. You can conceive 3D visuals in various formats like OFF, OBJ, V1.4, 3Ds, etc., from scratch.

Visit: GLC Player 

STL VIEW

Have a low hardware computer and want to run STL Viewers? Thanks to the developers of our next STL file viewer. STL view is a simple freeware for viewing step files. It is a very lightweight software. It is so light that your hardware won’t even know it’s out there! This is the reason that this freeware is even available for mobile OS like Android.

STL file viewer
STL file view

The features and tools are fundamental, even amateurs can use it. For instance, you can rotate the camera and alter the material’s properties like color and shape; it’s that simple. This software is worth a try.

Visit: STL view 

See also: – Top 6 Free STEP File Viewer Software for Windows

Open 3D Model Viewer

Are you a game programmer or a 3D designer and want an STL File Viewer? We would highly recommend Open 3D Model Viewer for you. It is a freeware which can be customized as per the user’s accord. With the help of necessary tools, you can view, alter, and make STL files in various formats.

Open 3D model viewer
Open 3D model viewer.

This software being open-source, is advantageous and well-grounded as you can enhance its function to your desire.

Visit: Open 3D Model Viewer

MiniMagics

MiniMagics comes from the 3D printing industry giant, materialize. Individuals and businesses alike use this STL file viewer software to print their 3D Models.

Materialise
Materialise

The software platform is very user-friendly and guides through every step of the 3D printing workflow. Apart from the essential pan, zoom and rotate function, you also get cross-section viewer to inspect the interiors apart from an annotation tool. This freeware works on Windows and supports STL, MAGICS, MGX file extensions.

Visit: MiniMagics

Pleasant3D

Pleasant3D is an open-source software available for Mac OS. Apart from its functionality as an STL File Viewer, it also allows for minor editing and viewing and changing the 3D model dimension and location, and moving the model along the three axes.

Pleasant3D
Pleasant3D

It also supports conversion of ASCII STL into binary STL. As of now, it only supports STL and GCode, but the company hopes to add more formats later on. This software works on MacOS and supports STL and GCode formats.

Visit: Pleasant3D

See also: – Top 10 GEDCOM File Viewer Software for Windows – TechWhoop

ADA3D

This STL file viewer is an open-source software for the visualization of STL and OBJ formats designed in packages such as 3D Studio Max, Z Brush, and MAYA, modeled in CAD systems or generated through the digitalization of physical attributes.

ada3d
ada3d

It has a straightforward user interface, fast rendering and the ability to handle large volumes of data. It is an ideal tool for examining polygonal meshes. This software works on Windows and supports STL and OBJ file formats.

See also: – 10 Best Free Image Viewer Software to Download – TechWhoop

3D-Tool Free Viewer

The 3D-Tool Free Viewer is a free and powerful STL File Viewer made to open DDD models published with the 3D-Tool CAD viewer. It is a paid software, but you can try it free for 14 days.

3D Tool
3D Tool

Like most other STL viewer software, it has features such as cross-sectioning, pan, and zoom along the three axes. However, while using the premium interface, it is recommended to use a system with a faster processor and at least 8 GB of RAM. This open-source software works on Windows and supports STL, OBJ, CATIA, X_T, STEP, IGES, VDA, SA, and SAB file extensions.

Visit: 3D-Tool Free Viewer

MeshLab for iOS

MeshLab is a freeware designed for iOS to display complex 3D models quickly and intuitively. This STL file viewer allows accurate inspection of a 3D model through precise and straightforward navigation.

MeshLab
MeshLab

The navigation of this software is quite easy, and it opens 3D models directly from web pages, email attachments, and DropBox links. This 3D file viewer works on macOS and supports STL PLY, OFF, and OBJ file formats.

Visit: MeshLab 

See also: – 10 Best DXF File Viewer Tools for Windows – TechWhoop

STL File Viewer (free)

The last on the list is an STL file viewer for Android users. This app lets you view STL files on your Android Smartphone or Tablet. It has all the nooks and crannies of an STL viewer like binary and ASCII file support; pan, rotate and zoom functionality across the three axes.

STL File Viewer
STL File Viewer

It also has a built-in file browser, color selector, and the ability to save user settings automatically. This software works on Android and only supports STL files.

Conclusion

So here you have it, folks, our descriptive list of the top 12 STL file viewers of 2023. These are the recommended software for 3D enthusiasts or 3D designers. If you love working with 3D then you should try these applications. Cherry on top all of them are free to use software.

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Aloukik Rathore is a Delhi-based entrepreneur, gadget lover, and absolute geek. He loves spending time learning about new innovations and runs a digital marketing company, Cannibals.