King Salman International University

Field of Engineering (Mechatronics Program)

MEC 342: Additive Manufacturing
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Sheet (4): STL File Format

1. Stat the advantages and disadvantages of STL file.

2. With the aid of neat sketch, Explain the redundancy problem in STL file.

3. Explain the algorithm which can be used to repair (remove) the redundancy
from STL file.

4. What are the benefits of removing the redundancy from STL file.

5. With the aid of neat sketch, Explain Why Slicing Technology is Important?

6. Explain the algorithm that can be used to slice any STL model.

7. What are the STL File problems?

Choose the correct answer:

1. What does an STL file primarily represent in 3D modeling?
a) Texture
b) Color information
c) Surface geometry
d) Material density
2. Each facet in an STL file is uniquely identified by:
a) Color and vertices
b) Unit normal and vertices
c) Material type and surface finish
d) File format type
3. How many numbers are stored for each facet in an STL file?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 10
d) 12
4. What is the orientation of facets in STL files determined by?
a) The texture of the surface
b) The direction of the normal and vertex order
c) File size and type
d) The memory required to process the file

1 Dr. Ahmed Hegazy

King Salman International University
Field of Engineering (Mechatronics Program)
MEC 342: Additive Manufacturing
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5. One major advantage of STL files is:
a) Accurate color representation
b) High-speed geometry processing
c) Absence of redundancy
d) Defined scaling information
6. A disadvantage of the STL file format is:
a) Excessive data redundancy
b) High color fidelity
c) Absence of facets
d) Limited file size
7. How is redundancy in an STL file commonly addressed?
a) By resizing the file
b) By eliminating duplicate vertices
c) By changing file format
d) By adding more facets
8. In AutoCAD, which command is used to output an STL file?
a) STLGEN
b) FACETRES
c) STLOUT
d) EXTRACT
9. In SolidWorks, to set the STL file quality to 'Fine,' you should go to:
a) Tools > Options > Quality
b) File > Export > Quality
c) Tools > Options > Export > STL Options
d) Export > Quality
10. What is the primary reason for slicing an STL model in additive
manufacturing?
a) To add color
b) To convert it to 2D
c) To achieve better layer accuracy
d) To compress the file size
11. Which issue may result from tessellation with large curvatures in STL files?
a) Color loss
b) Increased file size
c) Gaps or holes in the model
d) Texture distortion
2 Dr. Ahmed Hegazy
King Salman International University
Field of Engineering (Mechatronics Program)
MEC 342: Additive Manufacturing
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12. In the Vertex-to-Vertex rule, each triangle must:
a) Have a unique color
b) Share two vertices with adjacent triangles
c) Overlap with other triangles
d) Be a different size
13. What does an STL file exclude in its data format?
a) Surface geometry
b) Scale information
c) Facets
d) Vertices
14. Numerical round-off errors in STL files can cause:
a) Loss of color data
b) Material distortion
c) Overlapping facets
d) Complete file corruption
15. What type of object must be used in AutoCAD to output an STL file?
a) 2D model
b) Wireframe model
c) 3D solid model
d) Layered model
16. Which command should be used in AutoCAD to set the resolution of an
STL file?
a) STLOUT
b) FACETRES
c) FACETOP
d) RESOUT
17. How does the STL file format facilitate faster geometry processing?
a) By allowing color mapping
b) By reducing data redundancy
c) Through simpler geometry representation
d) By attaching material details
18. Which of these is NOT a problem associated with STL files?
a) Gaps between facets
b) Redundancy in vertices
c) Accurate surface finish
d) Overlapping facets
3 Dr. Ahmed Hegazy
King Salman International University
Field of Engineering (Mechatronics Program)
MEC 342: Additive Manufacturing
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19. Which application commonly uses STL files?
a) Video streaming
b) Additive manufacturing
c) Audio processing
d) Database management
20. What does the STL format lack that limits its ability to represent
precise material properties?
a) Scale information
b) Technological details
c) Vertex-to-Vertex rule
d) Geometry orientation
Specify whether the following sentences are true or false:
1. STL files represent color information about 3D objects.
True / False
2. Each facet in an STL file is defined by a unit normal and three vertices.
True / False
3. STL files contain scale information for objects.
True / False
4. The orientation of a facet in an STL file depends on the normal direction and
vertex order.
True / False
5. Redundancy in STL files increases memory usage and processing time.
True / False
6. Removing redundant vertices can reduce STL file size by approximately 80%.
True / False
7. The FACETRES command in AutoCAD is used to define STL file resolution.
True / False
8. STL files are commonly used in audio processing applications.
True / False
9. STL file format allows users to attach material and technological details.
True / False
10. In the Vertex-to-Vertex rule, each triangle must share two vertices with its
neighbors.
True / False

4 Dr. Ahmed Hegazy

 King Salman International University
Field of Engineering (Mechatronics Program)
MEC 342: Additive Manufacturing
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11. Numerical round-off errors in STL files can cause gaps between facets.
True / False
12. The primary purpose of slicing STL files is to achieve higher layer accuracy.
True / False
13. SolidWorks does not support STL file exports.
True / False
14. STL files work well for smaller models due to faster geometry processing.
True / False
15. STL files are efficient at reducing data redundancy.
True / False
16. Each triangle’s vertices are represented in 3D space as integers in STL files.
True / False
17. STL files provide accurate surface finishes for models.
True / False
18. Tessellation errors in STL files can lead to overlapping facets.
True / False
19. AutoCAD STLOUT command is used to export STL files.
True / False
20. Layer thickness in STL slicing typically varies based on required accuracy.
True / False

5 Dr. Ahmed Hegazy