Read XCAF for STL output
A XCAF-to-STL workflow connects the XCAF reader to the STL writer. Select the model items and output representation needed by the receiving application.
Read the native XCAF document with the OCCT storage interface matching its file type. Inspect document shapes, assembly occurrences and attributes before selecting the part of the document to exchange.
Write the selected surfaces as STL triangles
Choose BRep or mesh geometry according to the actual shapes in the document and the destination. Resolve assembly placements and map supported names and colors. Native document storage can contain application information that another CAD or scene format does not represent.
Prepare triangulation for the selected geometry and write it with the OCCT STL interface. Set mesh detail for the destination task. STL does not retain the full assembly tree, names, colors or CAD metadata; keep the source model when those relationships matter.
Check the STL result
Check occurrence placement separately from shared part geometry. Validate transferred labels and attributes, and keep the source XCAF document when application-specific data or edit structure needs to be retained.
Check unit scale, bounds, face orientation and connectivity in the receiving application. Include small features and curved regions in the comparison. Producing an STL file does not itself validate printability, watertightness or suitability for material removal.
Discuss this conversion with the producing and receiving applications, representative files and required geometry and attributes. Compare the reader/writer catalog when a different representation is needed.