For those interested, here is a document, DOC-46561, that gives an alternate method to load a robot CAD model into a 3D picture control. The VI uses the Haro3D library, now part of the LabVIEW Tool Network, that gives access to the .obj file format but the VI can easily be modified to use .stl files (without colors built into the files though).
Let me know if you have any question or comment.
Also, don't hesitate to join the 3D Vision group.
Marc Dubois