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what is the *.stp filetype?  

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RustySocket
(@rustysocket)
Active Member
what is the *.stp filetype?

I am very new.  I downloaded the Lack enclosure files from thingiverse and unzipped it to my desktop.  There are several filetypes for each part and I am trying to understand what the *.stp filetype is for.  If I just try to open it seems that it is associated with breezip on my laptop, but that generates a message that it is an unsupported filetype.

I have opened Prusaslicer and also Pronterface and don't see that filetype listed  in either of those programs. 

I am so green to this I don't even completely understand what I am looking at yet.  Don't know enough to know what I don't know, if that makes any sense.  A google search for *.stp didn't yield much.  

Thanks, point me in the right direction.  I want to learn

Posted : 22/02/2020 4:20 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

.stp is a step file.  Its a CAD design interchange format, so its supported by lots of cad packages.  You would use the step file if you wanted to modify the base model geometry (ie remix/redesign the models) as its easier to work with than an stl file usually.

stl file is the 'common' output format that is usually imported into the slicing software (ie Prusa Slicer or similar).  That then slices the stl model and converts it into layers and generates the associated output 'gcode'.  The gcode file is what actually gets sent to the printer and is used by the printer to move the axis and heat the nozzle/extrude etc.  Gcode is basically just a big long list of instructions that the dumb printer follows step by step.

There are other formats that slicer can use like .amf, .3mf etc but an stl file is the most common downloaded file.  .3mf is the format that is saved when you use Prusa Slicers 'save as' menu option and its the most useful if you are having issues (zip up the 3mf and attach it to a post in the forum) due to the fact that as well as the model the 3mf will also contain all the print settings which will allow someone to duplicate your setup making it easier to debug issues.

Posted : 22/02/2020 5:55 pm
RustySocket
(@rustysocket)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

So the zip file I downloaded has many filetypes of the same object to accomplish different things using different software programs?  Is autodesk Fusion 360 and example of a CAD program?

I am wrapping my head around all the different concepts, but I need to learn the lingo to understand more.  Your breakdown has helped me somewhat and I believe once my printer gets here it will come together.  

Thank you for your help.

 

Posted : 22/02/2020 6:42 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

Yes Fusion 360 is a cad program.  There are many different ones and all the big ones tend to have their own file format that they store designs in 'natively'.  The step file format is more of an interchange format so that different CAD software can import designs from other cad software.

So you would do your design in fusion for example, when finished you export it to stl.  The stl would be imported into a slicer and then the output of the slicer is sent to the printer.  Not everyone has access to cad programs, especially the same cad programs as they can be very expensive, but every slicer I'm familiar with will open an stl file which is why its the most common format.

While you can edit stl files its much easier to edit the original CAD files and re-export once modified.  

You dont need your printer to get a head start on the design>print workflow.  Running through things before hand will get you up to speed faster.  You can also get software (or run it from a website) that will visualise the print process from a gcode file.  Which is sometime handy to do before printing anyway to check that everything looks ok even when  you have a printer.

While there are many slicers if you are planning on using Prusa Slicer there's a section for that towards the bottom of the forum where you can ask questions and get advice (as the manual hasn't been written yet)

Posted : 22/02/2020 7:59 pm
RustySocket
(@rustysocket)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

@neophyl

Thank you for breaking this down for me.  So A slicer program makes gcode and gcode is what the printer reads to print.  

Are there other slicer software that I should look at using other than what prusa provides in their download?  

What is the Pronterface program for?

This post was modified 4 years ago by RustySocket
Posted : 22/02/2020 11:01 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

There are many slicers and by all means try several to find one that suits you. The other popular one that many people use is Cura. You will have to find or create a suitable tweaked profile for Cura though. As many people use it finding one will be easier. Prusa Slicer naturally has very good tweaked profiles for their printers out the box.  I can’t help with Cura as I don’t use it enough but there are other forum member who do. 

Pronterface allows you to connect to the printer via usb and issue commands manually add get feedback into the serial window. It’s also useful for reading and writing eprom settings when dialling in your printer calibration beyond the basics (which isn’t really needed except when you start modifying things really). Basically you don’t have to worry about that unless you want to.

You could also send prints via pronterface but I wouldn’t recommend that, if your computer pauses the serial steam , say for an update or goes to sleep then your printer stops and it gets ruined. Stick to printing from the sd card until you get a feel for things.  

Posted : 22/02/2020 11:45 pm
RustySocket
(@rustysocket)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: what is the *.stp filetype?

@neophyl

That clears things up quite a bit for me. 

Pronterface is a terminal to issue commands and get information from the printer.  Good for setup and testing but not for full printer control.  

I did find a good pdf that broke all of this down.  I'll try to keep the noob questions to a minimum.  After reading the document I found I realized how basic the questions I asked were but it was the *stp filetype that had me stumped.  

Posted : 23/02/2020 1:25 pm
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