Binary STL file reader

Update of the stlread function by Francis Esmonde-White to properly implement color reading.

You are now following this Submission

This function is used for loading binary STL files.

There are already two stlread.m files available on the mathworks file exchange site. Harlev's version reads in the data and returns matrices with X/Y/Z formatted vertex data. Johnson's program reads in the data and returns Face/Vertex/Normal matrices.

This submission also exports Face/Vertex/Normal matrices, but runs about 30 times faster than Johnson's version and 13 times faster than Harlev's version (which doesn't export face normal data).

This submission will also properly read in color values (if present) and the STL file title.

For more info (including timing info) see: http://www.esmonde-white.com/home/diversions/matlab-program-for-loading-stl-files

Cite As

Grant Lohsen (2026). Binary STL file reader (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/36771-binary-stl-file-reader), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

Acknowledgements

Inspired by: Binary STL file reader

General Information

MATLAB Release Compatibility

  • Compatible with any release

Platform Compatibility

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
Version Published Release Notes Action
1.0.0.0