On the basis of analyzing data structure of 3-D solid modeling STL

a slice method for 3-D finite element mesh generation is proposed. First

topolog ical structure data of STL file are set up. Then

considering the structure and materials of the solid

a characteristic plane area perpendicular to z coordinat e axis is decided

in which 2-D triangle mesh generation is made. At last

the s olid is extended in z direction. Extending the triangular mesh data

a triangula r prism meshes are then generated. The slice method is adopted to develop a 3-D automatic division software based on STL file formate. Using the software for th e mesh generation of two STL solid modeling

the results show that the method ca n reduce the quantity of data

computing time

and the method is efficient.