3D printing software modeling and slicing

[fog37]

TL;DR Summary

3D printing software steps...

Hello,

The first step in 3D printing is the generation of a 3D model using a CAD software. But to be able to print the object, the CAD software is not enough, even if the file is saved in .stl or .obj format, correct? Another software, called the slicer, must then receive the 3D modeling file in either .stl or .obj format and convert it into g-code that the 3D printer can execute. That is my understanding, at least. Is that correct?

Can both the 3D modeling and slicing be done by the same piece of software? Or is it always done seamlessly in two steps by two different softwares?

 

[Baluncore]

The algorithms for the two processes are quite different.

The design process is a 3D vector process that describes the surfaces of the object.

The slicing process is a “vector to raster” conversion algorithm that must be run to generate the pattern between the surfaces, for each layer of the object.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasterisation

The two programs must share a common 3D vector description, but they need not be the same package. Rasterisation can be left until actually printing the object.