7 Best Free STL to PDF Converter Software for Windows

Here is a list of Best Free STL to PDF Converter Software for Windows. Using these free software, you can convert a 3D model saved in Stereolithography i.e. STL format to a 2D PDF document format. While a few software provide a direct option to convert STL to PDF, many software contain a Print feature that lets you save the current view in PDF format. With the Print feature, you need to set printer to Microsoft Print to PDF or any other PDF printer. You can also customize few output PDF parameters including orientation, paper size, quality, color, etc.

These are basically CAD designing and viewing software which also let you edit STL files before conversion. You can use tools like mesh builder tools, shape modeling tools, transformation tools, extrude, and more 3D modeling tools that help you edit STL model prior to conversion. Apart from PDF, these software also let you convert STL to OBJ, WRL, PLY, DAE, and many image formats.

My Favorite Free STL to PDF Converter Software for Windows:

FreeCAD is one of my favorite software as it provides a direct feature to convert STL to PDF. You can use it for generating various types of 3D models too.

You may also like some best free STL to DAE Converter, STL to G-Code Converter, and OBJ to STL Converter for Windows.

FreeCAD

FreeCAD is a free open source STL to PDF converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a great 2D and 3D cad software that provides a clean and intuitive environment to develop various kinds of 2D and 3D models. In it, you can also import existing models like STL and convert them to PDF. It also supports various 3D file formats to perform conversions such as OBJ, DAE, SVG, SVGZ, IGS, IFC, STEP, STL, AST, WRL, VRML, WRZ, etc.

How to convert STL to PDF in FreeCAD:

• Firstly, open an STL model file in it.
• Now, view and edit the 3D model if needed. You can use tools like create mesh from shapes, create shapes, cut mesh, trim mesh, smooth, move, scale, rotate, etc., to modify STL model.
• After that, go to the File menu and click the Export PDF option to simply convert STL to PDF.

Additional Features:

This software contains a set of multiple handy tools that help view, analyze, and edit 3D models including Texture Mapping, Clipping Plane, Toggle Visibility, Appearance, Measure Distance, Stereo, Zoom, Scene Inspector, Save Picture, etc.

Conclusion:

It is one of the best free 3D modeling software that can also be used to convert 3D models saved in STL format to PDF.

DeskArtes View Expert

DeskArtes View Expert is a free 3D model viewer that also lets you convert STL to PDF. You can also convert 3D models saved in 3DS, VRML, DXF, OBJ, PLY, STEP, and more formats to PDF. To do so, it provides a Print feature.

This free 3D file viewer is packed with various advanced tools including zoom, pan, orthogonal view, spin view, quad view, etc. It also provides some statistical tools to measure volume, radius, angle, point value, wall thickness, center of gravity, etc. Some model verifying tools are also available in it.

Now, let us check out how to perform conversion from STL to PDF.

How to convert STL to PDF in DeskArtes View Expert:

• Open an STL model and view and analyze it.
• Now, use its Print feature from the File menu to convert STL to PDF by selecting printer as Microsoft Print to PDF or any other PDF printer.

Conclusion:

It is a good 3D model viewer with a handy print feature that lets you convert STL to PDF.

Gmsh

Gmsh is a portable STL to PDF converter for Windows. Using it, you can import and view STL files even convert them to PDF format. You can basically convert and save the view of STL model in a PDF file. Besides STL and PDF, it supports some more mesh and image formats as input and output including STEP, WRL, X3D, PNG, JPG, EPS, GIF, SVG, etc.

It also provides a set of viewing and modeling tools which include mesh modeling tools, transformation options, extrude, etc. With the help of provided modeling tools, you can edit STL file prior to conversion.

How to convert STL to PDF in Gmsh:

• Launch this portable software and open an STL model in it.
• After that, go to the File menu > Export option, then select PDF as output filetype, and hit the Save button to start conversion process.

Conclusion:

It is a good, easy to use, and portable software that lets you view STL files and convert them to PDF format.

3D Builder

3D Builder is a free STL to PDF converter app for Windows 10. As its name suggests, you can create 3D models using it. It also lets you import existing models in formats like STL, OBJ, 3MF, PLY, WRL, etc., and then convert the 3D model to PDF format.

You can also edit the input STL model before conversion. For that, it offers a good number of modification tools including Add Shapes (Cube, Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, Hexagon, Torus, etc.), Paint, Smooth, Split, Smooth, Merge, Emboss, Subtract, Intersect, Extrude down, etc. It also contains a handy set of 3D model viewing features like shading, shadow, smoothing, wireframe, reflection, etc.

How to convert STL to PDF in 3D Builder:

• First, import an STL model to this Windows 10 app.
• Now, if you wish, you can modify STL before conversion.
• Next, from the File menu, press the “Print on paper” option and it will open up a Print window. In this window, set printer as Microsoft Print to PDF and customize orientation and paper and quality of output.
• At last, hit the Print button, provide output file name, and click the Save option which will start STL to PDF conversion.

Conclusion:

It is a good 3D model builder app using which you can convert STL to PDF.

JNetCAD

JNetCAD is yet another free STL to PDF converter for Windows. It is a portable CAD software based on Java. It can be used on the go to view STL files and to convert them to PDF. Using it, you can convert STL to 2D PDF file. Besides PDF, you can convert STL to images including BMP, GIF. JPG, and PNG. Plus, conversion of STL model to OBJ, DXF, EPS, and more formats si also possible.

How to convert STL to PDF in JNetCAD:

• At first, open an STL model that can be viewed and analyzed using tools.
•  Now, click File > Export Image option and select output filetype as PDF.

You can also use its Print feature to convert STL to PDF.

Conclusion:

It is an easy to use 3D model viewer with an additional feature to convert STL to PDF.

eDrawings Viewer

eDrawings Viewer is a dedicated 3D file viewer that can also be used to convert STL to PDF. It supports a variety of 3D file formats to open and view and also comes with a Print feature. Using this print feature, you can convert an imported STL model to PDF document.

How to convert STL to PDF in eDrawings Viewer:

• First, use its open function to import an STL file.
• You can now view the 3D model using tools like pan, rotate, zoom, view orientation, etc.
• Now, click its Print option and in the new dialog window, select Mircosoft Print to PDF as printer, and set up output PDF options including print range, quality, style, orientation, etc.
• Finally, click OK button to save STL model as a PDF.

Additional Features:

• It provides an additional Stamp tool which lets you add a stamp (approved, for comment, final, preliminary, etc.) over input STL model prior to converting it to a PDF.
• It also offers an Animate tool to simply play model animation and view it from different angles.

Conclusion:

It is a featured 3D model viewing software that you can use in order to convert STL model to PDF.

RP Viewer

RP Viewer is a free STL viewer for Windows that can also be used as an STL to PDF converter. Like a few listed software on this list, it also provides a print feature that lets you save imported 3D model in a PDF document. It lets you convert the current view of the STL model to a PDF.

How to convert STL to PDF in RP Viewer:

• Simply open an STL model in it that you view with the help of tools like orbit, pan, zoom, isometric views, transparency, color, etc.
• Next, click the File menu > Print option and then set up printer options like printer (Microsoft Print to PDF, orientation, etc.).
• At last, press Ok button, provide output filename, and hit the Save button to start STL to PDF conversion.

Conclusion:

It is a nice STL file viewer that can be used for conversion of imported 3D model to PDF.