.3mf — 3D Manufacturing Format
3MF Consortium · 2015
A modern, open file format for 3D printing that supports color, materials, and textures.
Key Features
- Supports color, materials, and textures directly.
- Open and extensible, designed for additive manufacturing.
- Efficiently packages 3D models and associated data.
- Overcomes limitations of older formats like STL.
Best For
- 3D printing workflows requiring color and material information.
- Cross-platform sharing of detailed 3D models.
- Manufacturers needing an extensible and modern 3D data format.
- Designs incorporating complex geometries and textures.
Less Ideal For
- Simple 3D geometry without color or material needs (STL might suffice).
- Highly optimized game engine asset pipelines (proprietary formats are common).
- General image editing or vector graphics manipulation.
- Web-based 3D rendering where formats like glTF are more prevalent.
Common Use Cases
- Preparing models for 3D printing on consumer and industrial printers.
- Exchanging complex 3D models between CAD software and slicers.
- Archiving and sharing 3D designs with full visual fidelity.
- Creating 3D assets for augmented and virtual reality applications.
How to Open It
- Open with dedicated 3D modeling software like Blender, Autodesk Fusion 360, or SolidWorks.
- Use 3D printing slicer software such as Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, or Microsoft 3D Builder.
- Many modern operating systems and design applications have built-in support for viewing .3mf files.
What is a .3mf file?
The 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) is a modern, open-source file format designed to address the needs of 3D printing and additive manufacturing. It aims to overcome the limitations of older formats like STL by supporting color, materials, textures, and even complex model structures. 3MF is essentially a ZIP archive containing multiple XML and binary files, making it efficient and extensible. It is built to be a universal format that works across different software and hardware platforms.
Programs That Open .3mf Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Microsoft 3D Builder | Free | Official |
| Autodesk Fusion 360 | Paid | ||
| SolidWorks | Paid | ||
| macOS | Blender | Free | |
| Autodesk Fusion 360 | Paid | ||
| Linux | Blender | Free | |
| FreeCAD | Free | ||
| Android | 3DViewer (pre-installed on some devices) | Free | |
| iOS | 3D Viewer (available on App Store) | Free | |
| Web Browser | 3D Viewer Online | Free |
How to Convert .3mf Files
| Format | Method |
|---|---|
| .STL | Slicer Software (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer), 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Blender) |
| .OBJ | Slicer Software (e.g., Cura, PrusaSlicer), 3D Modeling Software (e.g., Blender) |
Common Problems with .3mf Files
Frequently Asked Questions
3MF is designed to be a more advanced replacement for STL, offering support for colors, materials, textures, and better metadata, making it more suitable for modern 3D printing.
The standard 3MF specification does not directly support animation data. It is primarily focused on static 3D models for manufacturing.
Support for 3MF is growing rapidly. Many modern 3D printers and their associated software now support the format, especially those focused on advanced features like multi-color printing.
Technical Details
3MF files are structured as ZIP archives containing XML-based definition files and binary assets like textures and meshes. This container approach allows for rich metadata, including color, materials, and even print-specific information. It supports various representations of 3D geometry and can embed multiple models within a single file.