Home > Supported File Formats > STL to ArcGIS

How to convert STL (StereoLithography) to ArcGIS (Esri)?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

STL

STL (StereoLithography) is one of the industry's oldest (and simplest) 3D file formats created back in 1987 for 3D Systems' first commercial 3D printer. It is widely used for rapid prototyping, 3D printing and CAM. Okino has provided one of the very first and still primary STL export conversion systems for close to 3 decades.

Please take note that there is no 3D file format which is much simpler than STL. It is not a high-end, high fidelity 3D conversion file format as many people have come to wrongly believe. Rather, STL defines just a raw triangulated polygon mesh with no smoothing information (vertex normals), no uv texture coordinates, no assembly hierarchy part naming or any material assignments. 3MF and VRML2 are often much better file formats for moving 3D datasets into downstream programs and/or 3D printers.

The Okino STL exporter WEB page provides good graphical tutorial about how to convert CAD file data into STL and also how to clean a 3D model which is 'almost water tight'.

ArcGIS

ArcGIS is a family of client, server and online geographic information system (GIS) software developed and maintained by Esri.

Preferred methods to convert from Okino software and into into ArcGIS: DWF-3D, DXF/DWG, Collada, Microstation DGN.

Preferred methods to convert from ArcGIS and into Okino software: ESRI ShapeFiles, Adobe U3D files, DWF-3D, VRML, Microstation DGN, Collada, 3ds (not recommended).

How to Convert CAD to STL

STL import converter's overview

Vist the ESRI WEB Site

COLLADA export converter's overview