Can Unreal Engine Open STL Files? How to Import Them

Getting an STL file into Unreal Engine

1. 1Check the fileFind out what units the part was designed in. Almost every printable STL is in millimetres, but the file itself doesn't say.
2. 2Convert STL to GLBDrop the file into our STL to GLB converter. It runs in your browser, so the model never leaves your computer.
3. 3Import into Unreal EngineContent Browser › Import (recent UE 5 versions read glTF through the Interchange framework; older ones need the glTF Importer plugin).
4. 4Check scale and orientationUnreal Engine works in centimetres and is Z-up. STL files are unitless (slicers assume millimetres), so the size depends on what the exporter assumed.
5. 5Check materials and animationSTL carries no colour or materials, and no animation. Look at the model under a neutral light before you build on it.

What comes through

Things to watch for

• Unreal doesn't import STL. Converting to GLB gives a static mesh you can import directly.
• Unreal works in centimetres. A model built in metres looks 100 times too small; tick Convert Scene Unit or set Import Uniform Scale to 100.

Questions

Does Unreal Engine support STL files?

Not directly. Unreal Engine doesn't import STL, so convert the file to GLB first and import the GLB.

Why is my STL model the wrong size in Unreal Engine?

STL files are unitless (slicers assume millimetres), while Unreal Engine works in centimetres. Unreal works in centimetres. A model built in metres looks 100 times too small; tick Convert Scene Unit or set Import Uniform Scale to 100.

What is the best 3D format for Unreal Engine?

GLB and FBX are the most reliable choice for Unreal Engine. If you have a choice when exporting, pick GLB over STL.

Menu names follow Epic Games's current release. Check the official Unreal Engine documentation if your version differs.