# Extract STL from .form

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/extract-stl-from-form/19048>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [June 4, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/extract-stl-from-form/19048 "2018-06-04T00:21:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rkagerer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/439d5e/32.png) [@rkagerer](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/rkagerer)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/extract-stl-from-form/19048/1 "2018-06-04T00:21:34Z")

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@DamienB [built a tool](https://exploreideasdaily.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/extract-stl-from-preform-project-fileswhats-in-preform-project-files/) that could extract STL files out of old .form files. Unfortunately it no longer works on files save by the latest version of Preform.

Has anyone else figured out how to do this? What did Formlabs change to complicate it (e.g. is it encrypting/obfuscating the STL’s or something?)

> [@More control over support structures](http://forum.formlabs.com/t/more-control-over-support-structures/245/4):
>
> Charles, PreForm is already using a separate shell/body for the supports. I’ve build a small program to extract the STL from the .form files ([http://wp.me/p3gI7M-90](http://wp.me/p3gI7M-90)). The extracted geometry does not keep the rotation/translation and scale information, but the supports are a different body in the STL. Cheers

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**Author:** ![JohnHue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@JohnHue](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/JohnHue)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/extract-stl-from-form/19048/2 "2018-06-04T06:10:32Z")

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It’s kinda logical for them to lock the format, since PreForm is free to download anybody could use their orienting/supporting/packing tech to then use with other hardware.

That being said, I would definitely like to be able to play with the STLs as well…