How to read a STL file with Matlab?
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Dear all, I would like to convert a STL file with matlab. I use stlread but i can't read the file. Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
3 Comments
DGM
on 26 Jun 2025
As of R2018b or newer, MATLAB has a built-in reader:
stlread()
For a more comprehensive list of alternative options, see this post. This covers the capabilities of 10 different readers found on the FEX. There are probably a few I missed, but these are the ones that came up in search results.
https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/400365-reading-and-plotting-stl-file#comment_3336289
My recommendation is to either use the built-in reader, or use #51200 (stlTools). The above link explains why.
Accepted Answer
Chigozie Nwankpa
on 3 Oct 2017
Edited: Walter Roberson
on 3 Oct 2017
Hi Abubacar,
I think that you need to plot the surface of the STL file in a mesh.
Sample code might be of help
b = figure(2);
model = stl2matlab('ImageName.stl');
patch(model{1},model{2},model{3},'b');
axis equal; view(30,60);
Wish you luck
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