STL files are the most common file format for 3D printers. When working with 3D printers, it’s important to view your STL file and make sure it is correct before printing it. Free STL viewers let you examine a model without using processor-heavy CAD programs. Review your work, or someone else’s work, and make sure it’s perfectly edited and scaled.
We evaluated free and open-source STL viewers and rated these viewers according to ease of use and functionality. Here are our picks for the 13 best free STL viewers.
If your STL files need editing or repairing, you’ll need an STL editor. Some of these programs offer STL viewing and editing features, while others allow only viewing.
Best for Ease of Use: STLView
STLView, from ModuleWorks, is a free, basic STL viewer available for multiple platforms. It supports both ASCII and binary STL formats and loads more than one model at once. It works well with large models and is optimized for fast graphics. Use STLView to display your model from different perspectives, zoom in and out, and change colors. This is a free tool that’s handy and easy to use.
The device’s G-sensor views a model from different perspectives.
Optimized for large models and fast graphics.
Load multiple models at the same time.
No Mac or iOS version available.
No edit or repair functions.
Download For:
Best for Communication: MiniMagics
MiniMagics, from Materialise, is a free STL viewer that works with Windows 10, 8, and 7. Use this tool to view STL files, perform measurements, and communicate with others on a project team, such as a manager or client. You can also view parts and rotate, pan or zoom, add text annotations, and verify printability.
Make text annotations to communicate with others.
A friendly user interface.
Create a printout of all parts of a project.
No Mac, Linux, Android, or iOS support.
Best Multiple-Function Tool: Meshmixer
Meshmixer is more than an STL viewer. You can also use it to edit and repair STL files as well as create 3D designs. With a vast range of 3D modeling functions, Meshmixer is a powerful tool, focusing on 3D printing. It’s a great choice if you need to clean up a 3D scan, design a new object, automatically repair STL files, and more.
Edit and repair STL files.
Useful 3D design tools.
Simple, friendly user interface.
Support Generator tool helps with 3D printing.
You’ll need a powerful system to support all its features.
Best Basic Viewer: SolidView/Lite
If you’re looking for a simple, basic STL viewer, SolidView/Lite allows you to view, rotate, and print STL and SVD files. The Lite version is designed only to get your project to a basic production level. However, the company offers paid versions with high-level functionality that range from a $99 purchase to a $249.95 per month subscription.
View and save images in a variety of formats.
Share files with others to view.
Available only for Windows.
Must upgrade to paid versions for additional functionality.
Best Full-Featured Open-Source Tool: FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a good open-source parametric modeling tool that can import and export a variety of files, including STL, DAE, OBJ, DXF, STEP, and SVG. Because it’s a full-service CAD program, it’s also a design tool. Design a project from the ground up as well as adjust, repair, and view designs.
Runs the same way on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Fast rendering of 3D scenes.
A good user interface and can run in command-line mode.
Revise and edit 3D model files for printing.
Export function for other formats requires an add-on.
Most Customizable Open-Source Tool: Wings 3D
Wings 3D is a comprehensive, open-source CAD program available in many languages. It imports and exports multiple file formats, including STL, 3DS, OBJ, SVG, and NDO. Wings 3D also offers a comprehensive set of mesh modeling and selection tools. Right-clicking in the program displays a context-sensitive menu with descriptions that appear when you hover over it.
Powerful and easy to use.
A range of modeling tools.
The customizable interface.
The interface requires a three-button mouse to use it effectively.
No support for animation.
Best for Less Powerful Computers: MeshLab
MeshLab is an open-source STL viewer and editor created by students at the University of Pisa. It imports and exports a variety of file formats. You can clean, re-mesh, slice, measure, and paint models. It also comes with 3D-scanning tools.
Edit, clean, inspect, render, and view files.
Prepares models for 3D printing.
Fast, efficient, and easy to install.
Can’t create 3D objects from scratch.
MeshLab is a light and efficient tool that runs on computers without extensive processing power. Due to the ongoing nature of the project, MeshLab is constantly adding new features.
Best Barebones Open-Source STL Viewer: Viewstl
Viewstl is a simple and easy open-source STL viewer that shows STL files as shaded on-screen images. It also supports Ascii STL files and dynamic rotation, scaling, and panning. Viewstl has basic, easy-to-learn commands and works best with a three-button mouse.
Small and easy to use.
Basic and easy-to-learn commands.
Need a three-button mouse for it to work best.
Best Online STL Viewer: 3DViewer
3DViewer is a free online service. Use it to view STL files in a web browser without the need for software downloads. You can also upload 3D models, share models through the 3D Viewer, and save or share PDFs of your work.
Works on computers, tablets, and smartphones.
No download needed.
Personalize the viewer to match your company style.
Upload and share 3D models.
Must upgrade to a paid plan to upload multiple files or update online models.
After you create a free account, you get 5 GB of free storage. Paid versions of 3DViewer offer more storage and editing functionality.
Best Full-Service Modeling Program: BRL-CAD
If you’re looking for a full-service modeling program, the open-source BRL-CAD system is packed with advanced features, including interactive geometry editing, high-performance ray-tracing, and more. BRL-CAD has its own interface and can convert from one file format to another. It’s been an open-source project since 2004 and is used by the U.S. military to model weapons systems for vulnerability.
Advanced modeling features.
Available for multiple platforms.
Excellent documentation and coding.
Continually updated.
It might be too complicated for a beginner.
Best Open-Source Tool for Album Management: GLC_Player
GLC_Player is a free and open-source tool that you can use to view STL, OFF, 3DXML, COLLADA, OBJ, and 3DS files. It offers an English or French interface for Linux, Windows, and macOS. Use GLC_Player to create and manage albums, and export albums as HTML files. Use its album-management features to load several models, view thumbnails of loaded models, and switch between models. Albums files can be saved and reopened later.
Review loaded models while loading more models.
Excellent album-management features.
Easy navigation within models.
May have more functionality than you need if you’re looking for a simple STL viewer.
Best Combination Viewer and Modeling Program: Gmsh
With a built-in post-processor and CAD engine, Gmsh is more than a viewer. It balances somewhere between a full CAD program and a simple viewer, providing a fast, light, and user-friendly meshing tool with parametric input and advanced visualization capabilities.
Fast and user-friendly interface.
Light on system resources.
The website offers tutorials and demos.
Beginners may find it too complicated, while advanced users may need more features.
Best for macOS: Pleasant3D
Pleasant3D was designed to work specifically with macOS. You can use it to view both STL and GCode files. However, it can’t convert one to the other and offers only basic editing abilities. Pleasant3D functions nicely as a basic viewer without the clutter of many extras.
View STL and GCode files.
Simple and uncluttered interface.
It has only basic editing capabilities.
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