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Articles on 3D print file protection, the history of STL, piracy prevention, and the future of digital design.
FeaturedIndustry
The History of the STL File Format: From 1987 to Today
How a file format designed for industrial prototyping in 1987 became the backbone of a global creator economy — and why it was never built to be sold.
2026-03-248 min read
Technical2026-03-246 min read
STL vs 3MF: Is the STL File Format Finally Being Replaced?
3MF was standardised by ISO in 2025. It stores colours, materials, and print settings that STL cannot. But STL is not going anywhere — here is why.
Industry2026-03-247 min read
The 3D Print Piracy Problem: Why Designers Are Abandoning Digital Sales
200,000 downloads in two hours. One leak. One platform. The Games Workshop incident showed what every indie designer already knew — STL files have zero protection.