You can import and export STL files. See Exporting to STL.
Name group
Enter a name for the 3ds Max object created from the STL file. Default is the file name (without extension) or the name saved internally in the STL file.
Weld Vertices group
Welds coincident vertices in the STL file into single vertices in the 3ds Max mesh.
- Weld Threshold
- Determines the size of the area which vertices must occupy to be welded. Vertices with distances equal to or less than this value are welded into a single vertex.
- Weld
- Turns on the Weld Vertices function. In most cases, you should leave this box turned on because unwelded objects can't be unified or smoothed.
- Use Threshold If on, STL import uses the standard 3D Studio welding method. This can be a very slow process.
- Quick Weld If on, STL import uses a welding algorithm optimized for the STL format. This is up to thirty times faster than standard 3ds Max welding, and is highly recommended.
Auto-Smooth group
Applies smoothing groups to the geometry based on the smoothing angle set by the smooth angle spinner. Edges between faces that have an angle between them that is greater than the specified smoothing angle will appear faceted in the rendered image. Edges between faces that are below the specified angle are smoothed
- Smooth Angle
- Determines the size of the smoothing angle.
- Auto-Smooth
- Turns on the Auto-Smooth function.
Miscellaneous group
- Remove Double Faces
- Removes one of the pair wherever two faces are occupying the same location. Recommended.
- Unify Normals
- Forces the normals of all faces on each object to face the same way (usually out). If, when you render your scene, the face normals are pointing in the wrong direction, use the Normal modifier to flip them. For best results, leave this box turned on.