1. Click File > Save. The Save file browser opens.
2. In File Type, select STL (*.stl).
3. Click Options. The Stereolithography dialog box opens.
The following options are available in the Stereolithography dialog box when you select the STL format:
• ASCII or Binary: The type of file to create. ASCII produces a text file that can be viewed by the user. Binary produces a file that takes up less memory and is read faster by manufacturing hardware.
• Number of Solids: The number of parts you have selected for this STL file for informational purposes only.
• Max Deviation: The approximate maximum deviation, indicating the accuracy of the output file. Values are selected automatically by Creo Elements/Direct Modeling, based on the parts' facet accuracy, but you can change them if necessary. The parameters refer to the maximum distance and angle between the faceted surface (STL surface) and the true surface. The smaller the numbers, the more accurate the file.
• Minimum Bounds [X,Y,Z]: The minimum coordinates of each axis in the workspace. These numbers together with the maximum bounds indicate the volume of the selected parts. This information is helpful because some STL hardware requires all parts to be in positive space or they have limits on the model size.
• Maximum Bounds [X,Y,Z]: The maximum coordinates of each axis in the workspace. These numbers together with the minimum bounds indicate the volume of the selected parts. This information is helpful because some STL hardware requires all parts to be in positive space or they have limits on the model size.