TIF to STL Converter
Convert TIF medical scans to STL surfaces, define intensity ranges, inspect the reconstructed 3D anatomy and export models for planning or 3D printing.
- Windows, macOS, Linux
Open and view TIF files free. Building the mesh needs Voxels to Mesh, which requires a paid plan.
How to convert TIF to STL
Open the TIFF stack
On the CT tab click Open Voxels From TIFF and pick the folder with the slices: MeshInspector reads them as one voxel volume. Opening and viewing it is free.
Build the surface
Run Voxels to Mesh and set the density threshold of the surface you need. Voxels to Mesh requires a paid plan.
Export as .stl
Select the mesh, click Export and choose .stl.
Save
Pick a folder and save the .stl file.
What to know about TIF → STL
- A TIF file holds one image or a stack of slices; a stack of slices can be read as a 3D volume.
- STL stores only triangles: no colors, textures or units in the standard format.
- The surface is built from the volume with Voxels to Mesh at a density threshold; the tool requires a paid plan.
- STL has no units, and most slicers read the numbers as millimeters, so check the size after conversion.
Online or desktop
Online
In the web app, as in the desktop app, building a mesh from TIF data needs Voxels to Mesh, which requires a paid plan. Exporting the finished mesh is free.
Desktop
The desktop app runs on Windows, macOS (Apple silicon) and Linux. Use it for large files, many files, and the tools the web app does not have. The free Community plan covers opening and exporting; see Pricing for what the paid plans add.
FAQ
Can I convert TIF to STL for free?
Opening and viewing TIF files is free on the Community plan. Building a mesh from them uses Voxels to Mesh, which requires a paid plan; exporting the finished mesh as .stl is free. The Pricing page lists what each plan includes, and the desktop app runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Do I need an account?
Yes. MeshInspector asks you to sign in, in the web app and in the desktop app. A free account opens and shows TIF files; a paid plan unlocks Voxels to Mesh, the step that turns them into a mesh. You can see the plans on the Pricing page before you sign up.
Are colors and units kept?
STL keeps only the triangles: colors, textures and units are lost when you convert to STL. STL has no units, and most slicers read the numbers as millimeters, so check the size of the model after conversion and use Scale if it is off by a factor of 10, 25.4 or 1000.
Which app should I use for large files?
Use the desktop app. The web app works within your browser's memory, up to about 4 GB, or 16 GB in browsers with 64-bit WebAssembly, while the desktop app uses the memory of your computer. It runs on Windows, macOS (Apple silicon) and Linux.
