Printable View
Hi fellow makers!
I often need to browse folders full of STLs, but the regular fabbing tools are just too cumbersome and slow for that. So I wrote a very fast STL viewer which allows to skip to the next file with the right arrow key.
You can download it at https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en if you’re a 64-bit Windows user.
I hope it’s as useful to you as it is to me. Otherwise, drop me a note and I’ll try to enhance it!
Happy printing!
any chance of a 32 bit version ?
Thought I'd try it anyway. AVG said the portable file was infected with DRep - the installable one seems clean.
You might want to check that.
Thanks for testing that!Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
Yup, that’s the reason that I didn’t upload the 32-bit version yet :( While virustotal reports the 64-bit versions clean (here and here – even for AVG), some anti-virus suites estimate the 32-bit version is infected (here and here). While that’s just heuristics instead of exact analysis (“the program is small and viruses are small as well, so it might be a virus”), I fear that it might scare people off or that Google would block my site. Here’s the links if you want to try anyway (remove the spaces to make them work):
ht tps://papas-best.com/downloads/stlviewer/stable/x86/Papas%20Best%20STL%20Viewer.msi
ht tps://papas-best.com/downloads/stlviewer/stable/x86/Best%20STL%20Viewer.exe
There’s also a bug with the background color (white/pink) that I’m going to fix for the next release.
Works brilliantly - avg lets me download, runs a quick scan of the msi and says it's fine :-)
And yes please fix the colour change, it does get annoying.
But otherwise: fantastic.
Any chance of integrating it into right mouse click selection menu ?
I’m very glad to hear that, thanks! I’ll fix the bug, of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
You mean like, if you right-click an STL, you have a “preview” option in the menu, and selecting it opens the viewer? That’s absolutely possible (though I cannot foresee how it interacts with other STL software). It’ll take a little time to program it and integrate it into the installer, but I’ll report back when it’s done :)Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
Fixed, and the AV suites finally stopped classifying my 32-bit build as malware :) Here it is:Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
Setup: http://papas-best.com/downloads/stlv...L%20Viewer.msi
Portable: http://papas-best.com/downloads/stlv...L%20Viewer.exe
Some people didn’t like the scroll wheel direction, so I added an option to customize it. It was also suggested that colors should be remembered – this can now be done via menu.
I didn’t forget that, but I’m struggling with the Installer creating the correct registry keys. In the meantime, if you’re willing to edit the registry, here’s how you do it:Quote:
Originally Posted by curious aardvark
- open regedit, go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- find the .stl folder
- the value (Default) has a name like netfabb.STL, papa_stl, or something alike
- now, still in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, find a folder of that exact name
- it probably has childs with names like DefaultIcon, shell, ShellEx, etc.
- in the shell sub-folder, create a Preview folder next to open
- in Preview, create a sub-folder command
- in the (Default) value of command, enter
"XXX" "%1"
where XXX is the path to Best STL Viewer.exe (for me it’s A:\Program Files\Papa’s Best\STL Viewer\Best STL Viewer.exe)
Snapshot for clarity:
Attachment 11190
It’s papa_stl in this example (because it’s my default program), but you really need to use the value from the .stl key.
Now you should have a Preview context menu which opens my STL Viewer. You might have to log off and on again in order to restart the Explorer.
Well, Just tried the 64 bit msi. AVG not too happy. It will let me known 194 minutes. I tried again, told AVG that papa was ok, and it said thanks for my opinion. I guess I dont control my computer anymore
I’m sorry to hear that!
I contacted AVG about the issue and I hope they resolve it. Is your AVG updated? According to virustotal, it should now be fine: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/45...cd58/detection
I'll try the registry hack - used to messing about in the registry.
Thanks for that :-)
And I should mention just how fast it is !
Loads even fairly complicated stl's in under a second.
Really impressive.
aardvark, I’m very glad to hear that. Spread the word! :)
mjf55, AVG answered:I.e. please update in 24 hours, and if the problem persists, you can take screenshots and I’ll forward them to AVG for further fixing!Quote:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting AVG.
The detection by AVG was incorrect and was removed in a recent AVG update, please wait at least 24 hours.
If the detection persists:
1. Attach the screenshot of virus database:
- Open AVG > Menu > About
2. Attach the screenshot of the detection dialog which was displayedby AVG. In order to create the screenshot, please follow theinstructions in the link below.
How to create a screenshot
Thank you
Best regards,
AVG Customer Care
Working fine today.Quote:
Originally Posted by Krishty
Great work. Very FAST loading. Thanks for a great viewer.
Now the weird thing is I've got avg on my house windows xp machine and my workshop win 7 printer machine.
Haven;t tried today, but the xp machine was having none of it yesterday.
Avg always used to give you the option to ignore a file if youy knew it wasn't a virus - won't let you do that any more. Annoying lol
I released another update. You’re invited to try it! http://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en
- fixes zoom direction not being saved
- fixes a few crashes
- fixes some UI glitches (sizing, high-DPI displays, etc)
- adds a setup dialog (people complained that they assumed the installer crashes or hangs because there was no feedback)
aardvark, the installer will now create the “Preview” context menu entry. However, due to reasons I haven’t quite figured out, this will only work on Windows 7, not 10 … :(
Hi again!
I improved the STL viewer:
- you can easily fix a file’s rotation by selecting Y Up or Z Up in the right panel
- fixed UI problems with colors and zoom
- download: https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en
You know the drill – just answer me here if you have any problems :)
Have a nice holiday!
Got that AVG message again on the newest version. They will let me know in a 143 minutes. I told it (AVG) to run it anyway (I hope I am right). Looks good. I did not have any issues with the first version, still don't. Keep up the good work. Love that speed...........Quote:
Originally Posted by Krishty
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krishty
Getting Avast warning on Portable Viewers
Thank you for testing! I have contacted AVG (yesterday) and Avast (today), but I suspect they won’t update their databases until after Christmas :(
I’m sorry for that; I will contact them proactively in the future so when I announce an update it will hopefully be whitelisted already …
Very smooth running app, like it a lot !.
Any chance you could add another view like wire frame and hidden line ?
Very high chance – I’m working on it :)
cgimark, here’s a build with wireframe rendering enabled (hidden lines will take some more time because I need new shaders):
Setup:64-bit: https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...L%20Viewer.msi
32-bit: https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...L%20Viewer.msiPortable:64-bit: https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...L%20Viewer.exe
32-bit: https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...L%20Viewer.exe
Access the new rendering via View → Wireframe.
Please let me know if it’s useful like that or if you’d prefer something different!
cgimark, wireframe rendering and hidden line is implemented: https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en (in the “View” menu). Many other bugs have been fixed as well. (The update is very new, so malware warnings could occur again.)
Please let me know if I understood “hidden line” correctly or if you’d rather have it changed!
Just downloaded, AVG doing a 3 minute review. Thanks
EDIT, well AVG taking its time, but I ran it anyway. Wire Frame looks nice. Great job.
New version of Papa’s Best STL Viewer with many bugfixes :) https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en
You can now also reach the solid/wireframe/hidden line rendering via F5/F6/F7. (I personally prefer keys over menus for my workflow, but YMMV, so of course the menu items are still available …)
https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...-13_teaser.png
Si I tried downloading the latest Windows 64 bit installer from your web site, but AVG antivirus does not like it. This is what I get and it aborts the connection. It has never done this before. Usually just complains it has to 'investigate' the new version, and in a few days, it is ok. This is new.
Attachment 11265
I’ve seen this coming – I use virustotal to check my programs before uploading: https://www.virustotal.com/#/file/46...2df5/detection
As you can see, Avast and AVG are having problems here, and I submitted false positive reports to them on Friday night already. However, it will take some days for them to process them and distribute updates. You’ll probably have to re-try then. I’m very sorry for that :(
I just saw your PM. I re-downloaded the current version ( Jan20 ) from your page ( it worked, AVG did not complain ) and it installed correctly ( No AVG complaints. )
Thanks for your updates to this great program.
Just installed the latest 32 bit windows version.
Brilliant :-)
No issue with avg and works a treat.
many thanks :-)
As I have to mirror x-axis on non symmetrical prints, this is invaluable to check the model in s3d against the original. Simply with a right mouse click and 'open with'.
Given that previously I'd need to load it into a slicer - this is a vast improvement.
Can I suggest you put a paypal Donate button on your website.
I'll happily drop some money across :-)
I'm going to move this to the tips and trick section and sticky it.
Thank you, aardvark – I’m so happy to read your feedback! :) If you want to spend me a dime, there is now a Donate page on my site!
I also added the ability to merge multiple STLs into a single view – e.g. for dual extruder files. It’s still an experimental feature and feedback is welcome. The new version can be downloaded here: https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en
Sample:
https://papas-best.com/downloads/stl...multicolor.gif
P.S.: Please excuse my absence. I was having login troubles, but your administrators were super helpful to solve the problems. I’m finally back now :)
I updated the viewer, and it now renders the back sides of polygons as well. (A user requested it and I think he was totally right about it.) If you missed that feature as well, update at https://papas-best.com/stlviewer_en !
I downloaded the latest 64-bit installer on Windows 10.
Windows Defender showed this message: "Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk." so I had to click "More info" and then "Run anyway". Installed fine then.
It's very quick, most of my stl files opens with no noticable delay.
Hi Emil,
Thank you for the SmartScreen hint! It’s safe to disregard it.
SmartScreen tracks the number of downloads and it warns automatically if a file is not downloaded very often. I just changed the certificate of my site, and it seems like this resets the counter; now SmartScreen warns again.
I have to jump these hoops every time I release a new version. At some point, I will digitally sign the installer to suppress the warnings, but I have yet to purchase the certificate. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Also, thank you for testing. If you find any problems, I’ll be glad to improve it :D
I just ignored the warning, it wasn't a problem for me. I just though you would like to know about it :)
Just refreshing this for new members and also there is now a thumbnail viewer for windows !
Just installed it, works perfectly :-)
Given that windows 10 comes with some 3d print software, always seemed odd that it would not generate thumbnails for stl files.
Well install this and it will !
Hi Aardvark, happy to hear from you again!
Great to hear my STL thumbnails work! Just in case you didn’t know: You can adjust the colors and the viewing angle via registry if you don’t like the defaults. If you also use my viewer, its background/object color settings should be used automatically.
https://papas-best.com/stlthumbnails_colors.png
To be fair, Windows 10 *does* come with a thumbnail preview for STL files, but it only works if you choose 3D Viewer as your default STL program. My thumbnails, on the other hand, should work with any program you like!
I’ve also just released a small automation tool which can use my thumbnail generator to auto-generate preview images for STL files in PNG format. That’s great if you have a website with a gallery of STL files, for example.
Then there’s a huge update coming to the STL viewer, but I haven’t finished it yet … so many exciting things to do :)
where's the update ?
To be honest, I rarely use the actual program now as the thumnails work for most of what I need :-)
But definitely interested to see what you come up with next !