Changes

=== Saving a copy of the file for printing ===

=== Saving a copy of the file for printing ===

In addition to the native file format (whatever your 3D modeling program uses) 3D models for printing should be saved for printing, in the STL format (binary or ascii).  

In addition to the native file format (whatever your 3D modeling program uses) 3D models for printing should be saved or exported for printing, in the STL format (binary or ascii).  

After the part is modeled it needs to be turned into commands the 3D printer can recognize, a step called 'slicing' since it turns the solid shape into a series of paths and printer commands to move and start and stop the extruder, that build up the part layer by layer. The final step in 3D modeling, then, is to save the part in a format that the slicing software can recognize. Common formats include STL, but may vary depending on the specific software and workflow you will be using.

After the part is modeled it needs to be turned into commands the 3D printer can recognize, a step called 'slicing' since it turns the solid shape into a series of paths and printer commands to move and start and stop the extruder, that build up the part layer by layer. The next step in 3D modeling, then, is to save the part in a format that the slicing software can recognize. Common formats include STL, but may vary depending on the specific software and workflow you will be using.