Final answer:
Stereolithography (.stl) is associated with 3D printing and represents a file format used to transfer 3D object data to printers for model construction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stereolithography (.stl) is most commonly associated with 3D printing. It is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software used by various computer-aided design (CAD) programs. These .stl files contain a triangulated representation of 3D objects using a series of linked triangles to approximate surfaces. This format has become a standard for transferring information between design software and 3D printers, where the printers read the .stl file to construct 3D models layer by layer.