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Convert Your 3D Mesh/Model STPZ Files to STL

Our free and fast tool will convert most 3D mesh or STPZ (Compressed STEP-File) model files to a standard STL (Standard Triangle Language) file that can then be edited further in most popular 3D editing packages such as Blender or 3D printed without any further processing. Our conversion tool can also batch convert multiple STPZ files; up to 25 files at a time can be converted.

To convert your STPZ file, click the Upload button above and select the file to convert. Once selected, the file will be converted to a STL file and will be ready for download shortly afterwards. For more information about the STPZ to STL conversion process, see the conversion information section below.

How to Convert your STPZ to STL Online?

Here are two simple steps to convert your STPZ to STL.

Upload a STPZ

Click the "Upload a STPZ File" button and select a STPZ to upload. The maximum file size is 100MB.

Download your STL

Click the download link once completed to receive your STL file.

File Format Information for STPZ to STL

ExtensionSTPZ
Full NameCompressed STEP-File
Type3D Model
Mime Typeapplication/octet-stream
FormatBinary
ToolsSTPZ Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STPZ Animation, Text to STPZ, STPZ Viewer

Description

The STPZ file format is a compressed version of the STEP file format, which is a 3D format defined in 1994 and used to store 3D objects for use in computer-aided design (CAD) applications. STPZ files are compressed binary files that, when decompressed into text format, contain one rendering command per line.

Although STEP files are widely supported by most CAD applications, there are only a few that support STPZ files. As with the uncompressed STEP version, the STPZ format does have its limitations, such as the necessity to read the complete file into memory in order to parse the contents, and due to the textual storage of information, the files can be quite large.

STPZ Notes

STL files, when imported, will be converted to 3D geometry comprising vertices and faces. If the STL file contains color information, this will be converted where possible.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Mesh colors
ExtensionSTL
Full NameStandard Triangle Language
Type3D Model
Mime Typeapplication/vnd.ms-pki.stl
FormatText & Binary
ToolsSTL Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STL Animation, Compress STL, Text to STL, STL Viewer
Open WithBlender, Daz Studio, MeshLab, CAD Assistant

Description

The STL file format has its roots in the 1980's and is the native file format for 3D Systems stereolithography CAD software. The format defines a triangulated mesh with vertices and faces and is a popular format for sharing 3D printable model files.

There were several formats that attempted to extend the STL format, namely SolidView and VisCAM, whose formats included limited 15-bit color information for each mesh face, which is often ignored by most modern 3D software. The STL format can be either text or binary; our tools will support both formats.

STL Notes

The standard STL file format does not support colored faces, vertices, or texture information. The STL file generated by the tool will contain only raw mesh/triangle data by default, which is perfect for 3D printing.

The tool also has the option to save the file to one of the non-standard formats that support colored faces, such as VisCAM and SolidView which is perfect if you want to further process the STL in software that supports these formats.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Face colors via the VisCAM and SolidView formats
  • Binary and text versions are supported

Comparing STPZ and STL Features

 

STPZ Features

  • Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
  • Vertex Normals
  • Face Normals
  • Vertex Colors
  • Face Materials (Excluding textures)
  • Textures
  • Point Cloud
  • Multiple Objects Per File
  • Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
  • Bones/Joints
  • Animations
  • Suitable for 3D Printing

STL Features

  • Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
  • Vertex Normals
  • Face Normals
  • Vertex Colors
  • Face Materials (Excluding textures)
  • Textures
  • Point Cloud
  • Multiple Objects Per File
  • Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
  • Bones/Joints
  • Animations
  • Suitable for 3D Printing

How does it work?

Converting from the STPZ file format to STL can be a complex process, and any tool used for this conversion process needs to be able to handle a variety of data conversion tasks as well as identify any defects within the 3D model and fix them. Here we will explain the conversion process used by our tool to accurately convert your STPZ file to a valid STL 3D model. Let's start with the conversion process, which involves the following steps:

Step 1: Read the Source STPZ File

An STPZ is a compressed version of a 3D STEP file which is a human readable text file file containing 3D data such as shapes, surfaces, curves and other geometric data. When combined, these make up the 3D model you see on your screen.

For more information regarding the STPZ file format, please see this great article that goes into a lot of detail explaining the STPZ format.

Step 2: Process File Data

With the STPZ file data read, our tool generates an internal representation of the full 3D model and will attempt to fix any geometry issues encountered. Along with repairing any issues with the 3D model, the tool will remove any duplicated vertices and prepare the model for exporting to the STL format.

Step 1: Read the Source STPZ File

Step 3: Saving to the STL Format

The STL format has been around for many years and has become not only a standard format for storing and transmitting 3D models but also a standard format for 3D printing, something we have talked about previously. STL files can be opened in most modern 3D editing applications without further processing.

To enable the saving of the model, our tool now needs to take the in-memory 3D model we have created in step 2 and convert this to the STL format. As the STL format supports only simple triangles with a single directional normal, if your STPZ contains vertex normals, these will be recalculated into a single-face normal. To ensure an efficient file size, our tool will always save any STL file in its binary format.

Converting Your STPZ File for 3D Printing

Software used to prepare a 3D model file for printing, which is also known as 3D slicer software, cannot usually open STPZ files. This is because slicer software authors will support the most common formats used for 3D printing, such as STL and 3MF and do not have the resources to implement 3D object parsers for all the possible 3D formats that are out there.

A small cog in the STPZ format

A small cog in the STPZ format

The cog in a Replicator 3D printer

The cog in a Replicator 3D printer

The completed 3D printed cog

The completed 3D printed cog

Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the STL specification. This is because STL, although predating the 3D printing revolution and lacking in some of the features of modern formats, has found almost universal adoption as the format of choice for distributing 3D printable models. Our STPZ to STL conversion tool can convert your STPZ file into an STL file suitable for loading into the 3D slicer software of your choice. As STL files do not support material colors or textures, our converter will not process these, resulting in a single STL file suitable for use with most 3D slicer software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an STL file?

The STL file format describes an unstructured triangulated surface of the triangles using a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. STL files do not contain any scale information, and the units are arbitrary. We have a more detailed description of an STL file here.

How long does it take to convert my STPZ to STL?

We aim to process all STPZ to STL conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.

What STL formats can I convert to?

Our tool will save all STL files in binary format. Optionally, our tool will allow you to save to the non-standard color STL format.

Is it safe to convert my STPZ to STL on ImageToStl.com?

Yes, of course! We do not store the STPZ file you submit to us. The resulting STL file, once created is deleted 15 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.

Do I need a high-spec. computer to use the STPZ to STL converter?

No. All our conversion tools process your STPZ file on our dedicated conversion servers, meaning you can use our tools on low-spec computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices and receive your converted STL file quickly.

Can I convert my STPZ to STL on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS or Mac OS?

Yes! Our STPZ to STL tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.

What if I am using an Ad Blocker, will that affect things?

Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our STPZ conversion tool please consider white-listing our site. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits on some of our tools and processing/conversion times will be longer.

Can I get support with converting my STPZ to STL?

Yes. When you have converted your STPZ to STL, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.

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