How to convert 3D model from STL to STP format?

This guide shows you the basics of converting an STL file to a STEP file. STL is a 3D mesh format mostly used by 3D printers, but in the world of engineering CAD and CAM, most software requires solid models. The most universal solid model format is STEP (.stp, .step). Ideally, you’d begin with a solid model and avoid STL entirely, but maybe you found the perfect object on Thingiverse or you used a 3D scanner, and there’s no reasonable way to begin with a solid model. Or maybe you’re already doing solid modeling, but you need to incorporate an STL model into it. This guide shows you a file conversion process that has worked well for me.

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD A CONVERSION TOOL

Our conversion tool of choice is FreeCAD because it’s free, relatively simple to use, and does a good job of converting STL files to usable solid models. Download it here.

STEP 2: IMPORT YOUR STL FILE

• Open FreeCAD.
• Create a new file (File menu > New).
• Import your STL file (File menu > Import > select your STL file).
• From the dropdown menu in the top toolbar, choose Mesh design.

STEP 3: REPAIR THE MESH

• Open the Evaluate & Repair mesh tool (Meshes menu > Analyze > Evaluate & Repair mesh).
• Select the mesh from the dropdown at the top of the Evaluate & Repair pane.
• One by one, go down the list, clicking Analyze and then Repair if the analysis finds any problems.
• If clicking the Repair button for “Folds on Surface” makes your mesh look terrible, you can skip that one.
• If clicking the Repair button for any other option makes your mesh look terrible, you’re likely out of luck. However, you should still try the next steps in case you get lucky.

STEP 4: CONVERT YOUR MESH TO SHAPE

• From the toolbar dropdown menu, choose Part.
• Select your mesh in the left pane.
• From the Part menu, choose “Create shape from mesh.”
• Leave the Sewing Tolerance at 0.10 (you can select a lower value if you want more detailed surface) and click OK.

STEP 5: CONVERT THE SHAPE TO SOLID

This is the moment of truth! If FreeCAD is able to convert the shape to a solid, you’ll be able to save it as a STEP file. If you get a red error message in the bottom left corner of the screen, you’re out of luck.

• Select the newly created shape.
• From the Part menu, choose “Convert to solid.”
• If it works, you’ll see a new item in the list in the left pane that ends in “(Solid).”

STEP 6: EXPORT YOUR SOLID TO A STEP FILE

• Select your newly created solid file in the left pane.
• From the File menu, choose Export.
• From the Export dialog, choose “STEP with colors (*.step *.stp)”.
• Save your file.

Exporting your Solid to a STEP file.

YOU’RE DONE!

You can now import your STEP file into other software and do things like generate tooling paths for milling on a CNC mill. If that’s your plan and you haven’t done it before, we like Fusion 360 a lot. Its CAM features are the most user-friendly we’ve found. But CAM is a deep subject; if you’re not familiar with it, we recommend going through Fusion 360’s CAM tutorials and reading our Fusion 360 guide. If you’re interested in other common file conversions for CAM, check out How to Convert Gerber Files into G-code using FlatCAM.

Other ways to convert STL to STP online:

There are also some online tools to convert STL to STP online, although they have less versatility and performance, it’s worth a shot if you have no access to PC software. Below are the websites that can convert STL to STP online:

• 3D-Covert.com
• 3dless.com