Exported .stl file looks different in Bambu Studio than it does in Shapr3D

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1

I’m new to all of this. I’m trying to create this coaster in Shapr3D with an anchor on it. I’m not sure if I’m missing any other steps or just doing it wrong but when I export it as an .stl and then open it up in Bambu Studio, it’s not exactly how it looks in Shapr3D (see the images below). I added in the black corlor in Bambu Studio so the details can be more visiable. The bottome of half of the anchor is not rounded nor are is the coaster itself. When I export it into a .3MF file and open it in Bambu Studio, it looks like the bottom image.

Any ideas on where I messed up? Thanks!

Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 1.44.03 PM
Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 1.44.03 PM1256×1232 88.2 KB

1 Like
2

I assume you’re using free (Basic) version of Shapr3D?

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As you can see it limits the quality of exported files to low resolution.

3

I have the Pro Subscription which I got for a year and under export, I see all the options listed in the image.

4

Interesting. Can you show me the settings you selected during export?

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Also, what result do you get if you export to .STEP instead of .STL?

5

.STEP file worked!

Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 2.39.55 PM
Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 2.39.55 PM1920×1018 96.7 KB

6

But I still don’t understand why .3MF and .STL output all crazy like it did.

7

.STL isn’t the best format for circular shapes, so that’s kind of expected.

Can you share the project (.shapr) file? Want to test it myself.

8

It says “new users cannot upload attachments”. Guess I’m still on probation :slight_smile:

9

If I’m not mistaken, you’re allowed to send files via private messages — or you can email it to me at shapr3d@tsbl.net.

10

I got the same message when trying via message. I’ll email it to you right now so you can test it. Thanks.

Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 2.49.52 PM
Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 2.49.52 PM2266×1056 168 KB

11

Thanks for letting me know — I won’t ask other new users to send things in private anymore :slightly_smiling_face:

12

Very interesting. I get good result with .STL.

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image1920×1079 118 KB

Can you try to open this file in Bambu Studio?

13

That file opened up great in Bambu Studio. That’s odd.

14

Agree.

Here you can see real difference between .STL (left) and .STEP (right).

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15

To get result like on your first image I have to export in low res. .STL

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16

Wow. That’s a huge difference! I’m printing the STEP one out now and we’ll see.

You’re right on the low res. I did another export in high res and it opened fine…operator error :man_facepalming:

THANK YOU! :+1:

2 Likes
17

Curious, any benefits STL VS STEP for Bambu Studio? I save STL and STEP maybe just STEP from now on?

18

Aside from what @Xdrakosha shown above the side by side difference. My .STEP print that I was printing out earlier didn’t finished because it started messing up 15min into the print so I stopped it. Not sure if it’s because it was .STEP file or not. I haven’t got around to testing another print.

19

Part fully union?

20

The issue isn’t with Bambu Studio, but with the file formats themselves.

.STL is a mesh format, and it has clear limitations when it comes to preserving rounded shapes. Moreover, Bambu Studio (like any other slicer) displays exactly what’s stored in that file.

On the other hand, .STEP is a set of instructions used to reconstruct the model, so the slicer has full control over the process in that case.