I always find this STL format discussion interesting.
First of all, if you want the faster slicing that redundancy elimination and
Z axis sorting give you, then demand faster slicing from your RP vendor.
They can compress and sort before slicing. SolidView and the other STL
viewing, supporting & slicing S/W programs have been doing that for years. I
doesn't require having all the CAD/CAM vendors changing the format. (BTW,
most of the need for STL repair S/W is due to incorrect CAD modeling
practices not lack of STL format robustness.)
Secondly, if seems you have the cart before the horse as far as the STL
format hindering development of RP technology. STL didn't exist before
ST(ero)L(ithography). Where are the technologies that can deliver multiple
colors, textures, materials, & temperatures (tea, earl grey, hot)? As has
been mentioned before, there are a number of existing formats (STEP, IGES,
VRML, etc.) which can be used as stand-ins for technology development.
Bottomline is, until a comercially viable technology comes along which takes
advantage of a new format, you have about as much leverage to change the STL
file format as the Titanic's rudder had in changing it's course.
Chuck Alexander
Solid Concepts Inc.
Rapid Prototyping Software & Services
ph. 661-257-9300
fax 661-257-9311
http://www.solidconcepts.com
For more information about the rp-ml, see http://ltk.hut.fi/rp-ml/
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