SL Tools

SL Tools (sltools.exe) is a utility included in SIMION 8.0 and previously included in the SIMION SL Toolkit. It is intended for viewing, manipulating, and converting to/from PA files. Conversions include importing/exporting PAs to/from CAD (STL), bitmap, and ASCII text formats:

• Convert 3D CAD (STL) files from your favorite CAD package to/from 3D SIMION PA files.
• Convert 2D bitmap images to/from 2D SIMION PA files.
• Extract/Import potential and potential gradient (i.e. field) maps as ASCII text files to/from refined PA files.
• Quickly view PA and STL files from Windows Explorer (OpenGL viewer).

Figure: 3D cut-away view of ion-trap PA file.

Figure: Conversion of STL file to PA file.

See Also

• SL Tools Tutorial for more information

Tutorial

• SL Tools Tutorial
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Installation
    • System Requirements
    • Installation
  • Converting from 3D CAD (STL) Format to PA format
    • Conversion Options - Detailed Description
    • Other CAD Topics
  • Converting from a 2D Bitmap (BMP/PNG/JPEG/PNM) to PA Format
  • Converting a PA File to ASCII Text
  • Converting from ASCII Text to a PA File
  • Converting a PA File to STL
  • The Quick Viewer
  • Advanced: Command-line Usage
  • Conclusion