What is MIME type "model/x.stl-ascii"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

model/x.stl-ascii is a MIME type that tells computers the file is an ASCII version of a 3D model in STL format.

Files with this MIME type use plain text to describe the surface geometry of a three-dimensional object. This text shows a list of facets defined by their normal vectors and vertices. The file begins with “solid” and ends with “endsolid,” which makes it human-readable and easy to debug compared to its binary counterpart.

3D Printing: Programs and printers use these files to create models for rapid prototyping.
CAD Software: Designers and engineers exchange models in this format for compatibility and troubleshooting.
Review & Debug: The ASCII format allows for quick editing or error checking with simple text editors.

For more details on file usage, visit Filext.com.

Associated file extensions

.stl

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: model/x.stl-ascii

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="model/x.stl-ascii">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'model/x.stl-ascii');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.stl

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.