STL (STereoLithography) is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping, 3D printing and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object without any representation of color, texture or other common CAD model attributes. The STL format specifies both ASCII and binary representations. Binary files are more common, since they are more compact.
An IAM file is an assembly model created with Inventor CAD and engineering software by Autodesk.
The IAM format comprises parts and subassemblies linked through assembly relationships. A subassembly in an IAM file is a self-contained unit with its collection of parts.
The .iam extension of an Autodesk Inventor Assembly Data File can be viewed using the following software: Autodesk Inventor / Inventor View, and Spaceclaim Engineer software. Autodesk Viewer web application and Fusion 360 integrated CAD / CAM / CAE software environment can import and render an assembly model created with Inventor.
A CAD file is an output of a CAD software, containing key information about the designed object: its geometry and topology representation, 3D model hierarchy, metadata, and visual attributes depending on the format of the file.
Read moreIn the sixth part of the series, we cover the ubiquitous mesh format tying 3D and reality through 3D printing applications
Read moreCAD Exchanger imports and tesselates FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, and STL files, making them ready for further optimization by RapidCompact.
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