Here is a list of best free STL to G-code converter software for Windows. Through these software, you can generate the G-code of 3D model present in an STL file. The G-code is also known as the Numerical Code Programming Language. This language is primarily used in computer-aided manufacturing and 3D printing. A G-code carries all the necessary instructions which a 3D printer needs to create a physical 3D model. By feeding the G-code generated through these software to a 3D printer, you can start the 3D model printing process. Through some of these software, you can also operate a 3D printer.
As these software basically convert a 3D model contained by the STL file to G-code, thus, you can also convert other 3D model carrying files (OBJ, 3MF, AMF, etc.) to G-code. In these software, you can also view the input 3D model as they all offer viewing tools like zoom, rotate, orientation, etc. Through some software, you can also make some changes to the model appearance. After that, you can specify various printing parameters to generate G-code according to your specifications. Some of the printing parameters which you need to specify are Layer Height, XY-axis speed, Z-axis speed, Motor Speed, Extrude Duration, Material Type, Print Speed, and more.
In general, these are quite featured software using which you can easily generate G-code of an STL model. To further help you out, I have also included the complete STL to G-code conversion steps in the description of each software. Go through the list to know more about these converters.
My Favorite STL to G-code Converter Software For Windows:
CraftWare is my favorite software because it also lets you edit the input 3D model of an STL file. Plus, it offers all the essential 3D model viewing and STL to G-code conversion tools.
CraftWare
CraftWare is a free STL to G-code converter software for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS. This software can generate the G-code of a 3D model present in an STL file or any other supported file format like OBJ, 3MF, CWP, etc. However, before starting the conversion, you can also make some modifications to input 3D model using its Split (disjoint surfaces of the model), Bisect (cut a model into two parts), and Drop (align and place an object over the bed surface) tools.
This software also offers model viewing tools like rotate, scale, move, etc. If you go to the Options window of this software, then you can also specify and adjust some printer parameters such as printer model, coordinates of starting position, dimensions of the model, g-code header, g-code footer, etc.
How to convert STL to G-Code using CraftWare:
- Open the interface of this software and click on the Open button to load an STL file.
- Now, you can edit the model if you want using available model editing tools.
- Next, go to the Options to specify and adjust some printer parameters.
- After that, press the Slice button and specify advanced parameters like perimeter gap, drawing order, entry direction, speed of printing, layer thickness, head temperature, bed temperature, etc.
- Now, again press the Slice button to process the model according to the defined parameters.
- Lastly, go to Save option and choose the GCode file option to start the conversion.
Additional Features:
- Animate: This feature creates an animation showing the process of 3D printing.
- HQ Quality: It creates a high-quality rendered model of the input 3D model.
Final Thoughts:
It is a feature-rich converter that offers all the essential tools to successfully perform STL to G-code conversion.
Ultimaker Cura
Ultimaker Cura is another free STL to G-Code converter software for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Through this software, you can easily generate a G-code using the 3D design contained in an STL file. Besides STL, this software also supports files of many other formats like 3MF, AMF, OBJ, X3D, etc. After loading a 3D model, you can use its inbuilt viewing tools to view an input model from different directions. Before starting the conversion process, you can use its Settings tab to specify printing material, print core dimensions, layer height, infill percentage, etc. Follow the below steps to convert STL to G-code.
How to convert STL to G-code using Ultimaker Cura:
- Launch this software and click on the Folder button to load an STL file.
- After that, select a printer model from the Printer menu and go to the Settings tab to adjust printer parameters.
- Next, click on the Slice button to process the 3D model and then click on the Save to File button.
- Lastly, select the G-code format and press the OK button to convert STL to G-code.
Additional Features:
- Cura Backups: It lets you create the backup of various settings and data stored in this software.
- Post Processing Plugin: It allows you to manually modify different elements of the output G-code.
Final Thoughts:
It is easy to use STL to G-code converter software through which you can easily generate the G-code from an STL file containing a 3D model.
Slic3r
Slic3r is a free open source STL to G-code converter software for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is a dedicated 3D printing software through which you can generate the G-code of a 3D model present in an STL file. Apart from STL, this software can also generate the G-code using 3D models carried by OBJ, 3MF, and AMF files.
In this software, you also get tools to view a 3D model from all directions such as top view, bottom view, right side view, rotate plane, etc. Plus, options to specify some instructions for the 3D printer is also provided by it like layer height, vertical shells, seam position, speed for print moves, speed of non-print moves, material type, and more.
How to convert STL to G-code using Slic3r:
- Start this software and press the Add button to load an STL file containing a 3D model.
- Next, view the 3D model and specify instructions for the 3D printer using Viewing and Settings tabs.
- After that, use the Object tab to specify the number of copies you want to generate and to create a mirror copy of the 3D model if you want. In this tab, you can also find features to scale, cut, and move the model.
- Lastly, press the Export G-code button to start the STL to G-code conversion process.
Additional Feature:
- Export: Using it, you can export the input 3D model of an STL file to AMF and 3MF file formats.
Final Thoughts:
It is another nice STL to G-code converter software that offers all the required features to generate G-code from an STL file.
Repetier
Repetier is the next free STL to G-code converter software for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Through this software, you can view, slice, preview, and print a 3D model present in an STL file. The good thing about this software is that it cannot only generate the G-code, but it also lets you directly print a 3D model using a 3D printer.
To give you an idea about the printer bed, it shows all the loaded 3D models over a virtual bed. You can also zoom in on the 3D model, rotate the model, and change the position of the model over the virtual bed with ease. Now, to specify printer parameters, you can use its Printer Settings that offers options like travel feed rate, z-axis feed rate, manual retraction speed, number of extruders, number of fans, maximum bed temperature, material type, etc.
How to convert STL to G-code using Repetier:
- Start this software and go to File > Load option to import an STL file.
- After that, use the Printer Settings to specify various printer configurations and printing parameters.
- Next, go to Slicer tab and select a slicing engine from three available ones namely CuraEngine, Slic3r, and PrusaSlicer.
- Now, click on the Slice button to process the 3D model.
- Once the slicing process gets completed, you can view a Save to File option that lets you save the processed data in the form of G-code.
Additional Features:
- Edit G-Code: As its name suggests, it is a G-code editor feature through which you can make some changes to the output G-code.
- Manual Control: It provides a virtual control panel of the connected 3D printer so that you can operate a 3D printer from this software.
- Print Preview: It shows how the actual 3D model will look like after printing.
Final Thoughts:
It is one of the best free STL to G-code converter software through which you can operate a 3D printer and generate the G-code using an STL file.
ReplicatorG
ReplicatorG is another free open source 3D printing software that can also be used as an STL to G-code converter. This software works on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Through this software, you cannot only generate G-code of a model present in an STL file but also give the direct instructions to a 3D printer. Apart from STL, it also supports OBJ and COLLADA files.
Before starting the conversion, you can tweak various 3D printer parameters using its Machine tab such as Machine Driver, XY-axis speed, Z-axis speed, Motor Speed, Extrude Duration, Extruder Temperature Parameters, Stepper Motor Controls, etc. On the main interface of this software, you also get 3D model viewing features like move model, mirror model, rotate model, scale model, etc.
How to convert STL to G-code using RepliatorG:
- Open the interface of this software and use its Open option to load an STL file to it.
- After that, use available model viewing tools and machine parameter tweaking parameters according to your requirements.
- Lastly, press the Generate GCode button to start the STL to G-code conversion process.
Final Thoughts:
It is another good STL to G-code converter software through which you cannot only generate G-codes but also directly operate a 3D printer.
KISSlicer
KISSlicer is yet another free STL to G-code converter software for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is also a portable software that you can use without installing it to your system. Through this software, you can convert 3D models present in an STL file to the G-code. Besides STL, it does not support any other file format.
In this software, you can also view the 3D model contained by the input file. Apart from that, a Wizard tab to specify and adjust printer parameters (number of extruders, printer’s bed dimension, nozzle dimension, etc.), material parameters (material type, bed temperature, print temperature, filament diameter, etc.), etc., are also available in it.
How to convert STL to G-code using KISSlicer:
- Start this software and go to File > Open STL model option to load an STL file.
- After that, use its Wizard tab to specify printer and print material parameters.
- Next, press the Slice button to process the input 3D model according to the specified properties.
- In the end, click on the Save button and select the G-code Files option to initiate the conversion process.
Additional Feature:
- All Models: It is a tab that offers various tools through which you can scale the model, rotate model, revert model to its actual height, etc.
Final Thoughts:
It is a dedicated STL to G-code converter software that allows you to quickly convert a model contained by an STL file to the G-code.
IceSL
IceSL is one more free STL to G-code converter software for Windows and Linux. It is primarily an advanced modeling and slicing software. Its slicing process helps you process a 3D model of an STL file before converting it into G-code. Besides STL, this software can also be used to convert LUA, OBJ, and 3DS files to G-code.
Before starting the conversion process, it is necessary to specify some printer parameters according to which a 3D printer will process the input G-code. To specify printer parameters, use the side panel of this software that provides fields like layers thickness, print speed, print speed on perimeters, extruder for infill, the distance between print and brim, and more. After specifying all the required print parameters, you can start the STL to G-code conversion process.
How to convert STL to G-code using IceSL:
- Launch IceSL and go to File > Load model option to input an STL model to it.
- After that, go to the Side Panel > Service menu and select the Slice to GCode option.
- Next, use the Information, Settings, Orientation, and Scale fields of the side panel to specify the printer parameters.
- Lastly, click on the Slice button to process the 3D model of the input STL file according to the specified parameters and to generate the G-code.
Additional Feature:
- Effects: It offers various inbuilt effects which you can apply over the input 3D model such as Cheese, Bibendum, Clone, Grid, Melt, etc.
Final Thoughts:
It is a powerful yet easy to use STL to G-code converter that allows you to quickly slice and convert 3D models in STL and other supported files to G-code.