StlZip Help


- Introduction
- General help
- Limitations
- Contact information


Introduction

This program is a great tool for compressing your STL-files.

STL-zip will convert the STL-files into an MGX-file using a compression algorithm. This algorithm is optimized for STL-files and can reduce the size of your STL-files with 10 to 20 times (depending on the file). ASCII STL-files will even reach a much higher compression (up to 50 times). This is much more than traditional compression software. With this high compression, you will save a lot of time while sending your files to someone.

If you want to receive updates of this program in the future, use the registration item in the Help menu.

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General help

New Archive
Before starting you'll need to give the archive a name.

Open Archive

With this option you can open an existing MGX-file to look at the files or to add/delete STL-files

Add STL file

Select an STL-file and this file will be compressed to the MGX-format. You can use the Shift and Ctrl keys to select multiple files at once

Delete STL file

This will remove the selected STL-files from the MGX-file.

Preview

When selecting an STL-file you get a small preview of the STL-file in the upper right corner. By pressing this button you will see a bigger preview. You can also access this function by double-clicking on the listed STL-file.
(The small preview is not always available depending on the installed OS components.)
Extract

This freeware program can only compress STL files. This software is mainly meant to reduce the upload time of your STL-files to someone who has Magics RP in his possession (for example: a rapid prototyping service bureau)

You can view the MGX files with Magics Communicator (shareware version). You need Magics RP (version 5.3 or higher) to decompress the MGX-file into STL-files.

Exit

Exits the STL-zip program.
 

File window

Name: path and name of the source STL-file
Size: size of the source stl file in binary format. (If the file is an ASCII-file, the original file size and ratio will be incorrect)
Packed: size of the compressed STL-file
Ratio: rate of compression, ratio = (Packed / Size) * 100%
Triangles: amount of triangles of the compressed STL-file
  Options
Enable explorer context menus: If an STL-file is selected (outside the program STLzip) and you press the right mouse button, the STL-zip will appear in the menu.
Create shortcut in start menu: When this option is checked, STL-zip will be reachable from the start menu.
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Limitations

This program can only compress STL-files. You'll need Magics RP (from version 5.3) to decompress the MGX-file to STL-files or the Magics Communicator to view the MGX-files. This tool is mainly meant to reduce the upload time of your STL-files to someone who has this sofware in his possession (for example: a rapid prototyping service bureau)

STL-zip cannot open password-encrypted MGX-files. Password encryption is a feature of Communicator Pro and Magics RP.

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Contact information

web-site: http://www.materialise.com
e-mail: STLZIP@materialise.be

Materialise NV (worldwide)
Postal address: Technologielaan 15
3001 Leuven
Belgium
Telephone +32 16 39 66 66
Fax +32 16 39 66 00
E-mail General information: info@materialise.be
 
Materialise USA
Postal address: 6111 Jackson Road
Ann Arbor
MI48103
Telephone (734) 662-5057
Fax (734) 662-7891
E-mail General information: info@materialise.com
 
Materialise UK
Postal address: Unit 1, Brooklands Way
Brooklands Park Industrial Estate
Dinnington, Rotherham, S25 2JZ
Telephone +44 1 909 552 300
Fax +44 1 909 567 909
E-mail software@materialise-rp.co.uk
 
Materialise (Munich, Germany)
Postal address: Landsbergerstrasse 476
D-81241 Munchen
Telephone +49 89 88 94 96 30
Fax +49 89 88 94 96 40
E-mail General information: info@materialise.de
 
Materialise Malaysia
Postal address: Unit D6-03 Phileo Damansara 1
No 9 Jln. 16/11
46350 Petaling Jaya
Telephone (603) 766 52 988
Fax (603) 766 52 966
H.P. (60) 12 319 3226
E-mail materialise@po.jaring.my
 
Materialise Japan
Postal address: Yokohama Portside building 2F
8 - 1 Sakae-cho
Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama
Telephone +81 45 44 04 591
Fax +81 45 44 04 592
E-mail okadamat@nifty.com

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