1. Confirm the unit and overall dimensions
STL files do not reliably carry a universal unit declaration across all applications. After import, check width, height, and thickness against the intended physical object. If a plaque should be 150 mm wide, do not assume that an import showing 150 is millimeters until the CAM or slicer confirms the unit.
Keep the model's aspect ratio unless you intentionally want to distort the artwork. If you resize, verify all dimensions again and confirm there is enough stock or build volume for the new size.
2. Inspect the front, back, and perimeter
- Rotate the model and check whether the relief is facing the expected direction.
- Look at the back surface. A thin or uneven base can be difficult to fixture and may not print as expected.
- Inspect the perimeter for spikes, holes, abrupt drop-offs, or a raised rim that was not part of the design.
- Check that the deepest region leaves enough material above the spoilboard or bottom of the stock.
3. Check the mesh in the next application
Import the model into the actual CAM software or slicer you intend to use. A preview in one viewer does not guarantee the next application interprets the geometry identically. Check for missing faces, non-manifold edges, self-intersections, inverted normals, or an unexpectedly large file. If the application reports a mesh repair, review what it repaired and inspect the result again.
For CNC, create a conservative toolpath preview with the actual cutter and stock dimensions. Verify that the cutter can reach narrow valleys, the model is positioned within the stock, and the simulation leaves the intended base. For printing, inspect wall thickness, orientation, supports, and whether the selected printer profile can resolve the smallest features.
Important: Image-to-3D output is an estimate from image evidence. A single view cannot reveal hidden geometry or guarantee an engineering-grade, watertight object. Treat it as an artistic or prototyping starting point unless you have independently validated it for your use.
4. Choose format for the next step
Use an STL when the next program needs a triangle mesh for CAM or slicing. Use GLB when you need a browser or 3D viewer to display materials and textures. The formats serve different purposes; a textured appearance in a GLB does not mean that texture is physical mesh geometry or will be machined.
5. Save a versioned source and verify again after edits
Keep the generated source and save each edited or repaired export separately. After scaling, smoothing, cropping, or repairing, reopen the exported file and check the dimensions, orientation, and surface one more time. A quick final inspection can catch a wrong unit or accidental transform before material is cut.
For a height-map workflow instead, follow the depth-map-to-CAM guide. To improve the input image before generation, see the photo preparation checklist.