To create/export to a STL file click the Tools→Export→ button.

A STL file contains a description of the PCB in 3D and is suitable for 3D printing.

STL (Stereo Lithography) is a file format native to the stereo lithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. STL is also known as Standard Tessellation Language. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping 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 STL file describes a raw unstructured triangulated surface by the unit normal and vertices (ordered by the right-hand rule) of the triangles using a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. STL coordinates must be positive numbers, there is no scale information, and the units are arbitrary

The Save to STL dialog is shown below.

Save to STL Dialog

Select your output units. NOTE: The STL files do not contain unit definitions so you will need to tell the person using the STL file what units they are in. It is common practice to use units of mm.

You can create a binary file or human readable ASCII text file. The binary file will be much smaller and will be easier to transit electronically over the Internet.

STL files have no color.