STL Preview vs Pathly

STL Preview helps you open and inspect STL files directly on your iPhone or iPad, without needing to return to your computer just to check a 3D model. Whether you are preparing a 3D print, reviewing a design, sharing a model with someone, or quickly checking a part on the go, STL Preview gives you a simple way to see your model clearly in 3D. Open an STL file from Files, downloads, or the share sheet, then rotate, zoom, and examine it with smooth touch controls. Instead of guessing what a file contains from its name or waiting until you are back at your desktop CAD software, you can preview the model immediately. With AR mode, you can place your STL model into the real world using your device camera. This makes it easier to understand size, shape, and proportion before printing, presenting, or continuing your design work. You can also customize the model color and background color to make details easier to see. STL Preview is made for engineers, designers, makers, students, 3D printing users, and anyone who works with STL files and wants a faster, simpler way to inspect them on mobile. Open the file. View the model. Check it before you print, share, or continue.

Want to check a sliced 3D print before you send it to the printer? Pathly opens a G-code file on your iPhone and shows the toolpath in 3D, layer by layer, with print time, filament and size at a glance. Tap Open a G-code File and pick a .gcode, .gco or .nc file from Files, or open one straight from another app. Pathly reads it on your iPhone and draws the path. • 3D TOOLPATH — extrusion moves in color, travel moves in grey, over a soft ground plane. Pinch to zoom and drag to rotate. • LAYER SCRUBBER — slide through the print to see it build up layer by layer, with the current layer number and Z height. • PRINT STATS — estimated print time, filament used, model size (X × Y × Z), layer count, extrude and travel moves, total path length and maximum feed rate. • READS REAL SLICER OUTPUT — G0/G1 moves and G2/G3 arcs, absolute or relative positioning and extrusion, millimeter or inch units, and files up to 80 MB. • SHARE / EXPORT — send the G-code file on to another app, AirDrop or Files. Honest scope: Pathly is a viewer — it doesn't slice, edit or send jobs to a printer. The time estimate uses path lengths and feed rates without acceleration, so your slicer's estimate may differ; filament volume assumes 1.75 mm filament. Binary G-code (.bgcode) isn't supported, and CNC or laser files without extrusion show every move as travel. Very dense files are thinned for display; the stats still count every move. Your files are opened on your iPhone only — nothing is uploaded and no account is needed. Viewing is free and unlimited. The free version shares or exports 3 files; a one-time $4.99 purchase unlocks unlimited exports. No subscription, no ads. Questions: overlapmarr@gmail.com