Because many STL files would be unmanageably large in the ASCII variant of the format, most use of STL is in STL_binary. However most software that can handle STL files can import or render models in both STL variants.
STL is widely used for 3D scanning, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, and computer-aided manufacturing. Most 3D scanning hardware or software can output STL files. 3D scanners that can generate STL files include: NextEngine; and Sense. See also 10 Best 3D Scanners in 2019. How to Prepare a CAD File for Additive Manufacturing from Protocam, describes STL as the standard for the rapid prototyping industry and provides instructions for exporting STL files from over a dozen popular computer-aided design (CAD) software applications.
As of 2019, with 3D models in wide use for video games, online product information, 3D printing, and in archaeology, medicine, and other professional disciplines, the simple, openly documented formats developed over 20 years ago, such as STL, OBJ, and PLY are supported in new contexts. For example, recent versions of the Windows and Mac operating systems come with basic tools that can render 3D files in a small number of formats, including the STL format. Windows 10 includes Paint 3D, which can open files in PLY, STL, OBJ, 3MF, FBX, and GLB (the binary variant of glTF_2_0) formats. The version of Preview shipped with versions of Mac OS since 10.11 (El Capitan) has also been able to render 3D models in a number of formats. For example, Preview in Mac OS 10.14 (Mojave) supports PLY, OBJ, STL, USD (Universal Scene Description), ABC (Alembic), and possibly more.
Cultural heritage institutions and archaeologists have used the STL format when scanning 3D artifacts from their sites or collections. However, many museums also use 3D formats that offer more functionality for surface rendering. For example, the British Museum offers a queen from the Lewis chessmen for download from SketchFab in STL, but also in OBJ and glTF. SketchFab is used by many museums for making 3D models available. STL is supported for uploading models to SketchFab; however, it is not one of the preferred formats listed at Supported 3D File Formats. The UK Archaeology Data Service lists the STL format in a table of "common" formats, and describes the ASCII variant as "suitable for preservation."
3D modeling applications and conversion tools that can import, export, or convert STL files include: MeshLab, a widely used open-source software system for manipulating 3D mesh models, maintained by the Visual Computing Lab of ISTI-CNR; Blender, another popular free and open-source 3D creation suite, supported by the Blender Foundation, an independent non-profit public benefit corporation, established in the Netherlands; Mathematica; MathWorks; Rhino; Aspose.3D for Java; Assimp (Open Asset Import Library); and quick3D. Examples of software libraries and tools that have been developed specifically to read and write files in the STL formats are available from: STLA Files: ASCII stereolithography files from John Burkardt; and numpy-stl, a python library from Rick van Hattem for reading and writing STL in binary or ASCII variants.
The STL format is often mentioned in association with 3D printing and rapid prototyping. For example, The Battle of File Formats: STL vs OBJ vs PLY, a blog post from a site dealing with applications in dentistry, identifies PLY as one of three formats commonly used for 3D printing in that domain. Also in the medical field, On-Demand Anatomical Models describes a service from 3DSystems for 3D printing based on uploading an STL, OBJ, or PLY file. What File Formats are used in 3D Printing?, a blog post from 2016 states, "STL is the most common file format when 3D printing." The post 4 Most Common 3D Printer File Formats in 2019 from All3DP states that STL is the de-facto standard. Some 3D printers are packaged with software that directly accepts models in the STL format, e.g., the X5 and other 3D printers from Tiertime. In addition to applications listed above, free applications from mainstream software companies that can be used to prepare models for a 3D printer and that support the STL format include: 3D Builder from Microsoft; and Meshmixer from AutoDesk.
A recent development is the publication in 2018 by WG 17 of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) of Supplement 205, DICOM Encapsulation of STL Models for 3D Manufacturing. Only the binary form of STL is supported for DICOM encapsulation. A survey conducted in April 2017, had indicated that STL was the file format most frequently used for 3D models in medical applications, followed by X3D/VRML, OBJ, and 3MF.
