The Complete 3MF to PRC/U3D Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert 3MF to PRC/U3D, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing 3MF Files to PRC/U3D

There are various ways to convert between 3MF and PRC/U3D. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize 3MF files, at scale. It supports PRC/U3D, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are 3MF and PRC/U3D files commonly used for?

The 3MF file is a format mostly used for 3D printing and additive manufacturing.
The PRC/U3D file is a format mostly used for 3D data embedding in documents and technical publishing.

call to action

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Comparison of Features Supported by 3MF and PRC/U3D

FeatureSupported by 3MFSupported by PRC/U3D
Morph TargetsNoPartial0
Rigid AnimationsNoYes
Skinned AnimationsNoPartial1
AnimationsNoYes
Free-Form SurfacesNoYes
Geometry CompressionPartial2Yes
Quad MeshesNoYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsPartial3No
Transparent MaterialsPartial4Yes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatYesYes
Embedded TexturesYesYes
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial5Yes
Normal MappingNoPartial6
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionPartial7Partial8
Texture TransformsPartial9Yes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Simple morphing capabilities
1 - Basic skeletal animation support in U3D
2 - ZIP-based compression of model data
3 - Basic PBR material properties
4 - Alpha channel support for transparency
5 - Multiple texture coordinate sets supported
6 - Limited normal mapping support
7 - Compressed textures within ZIP package
8 - Basic texture compression for document embedding
9 - Basic texture coordinate transformation

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Limitations of 3MF Files to PRC/U3D Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting 3MF files to PRC/U3D format:

3MF Feature (not supported by PRC/U3D)Limitation Details
PBR Materials

PBR Materials Support:

3MF: Partial support | PRC/U3D: No support

PBR Materials illustratedlack of support for PBR Materials illustrated

3MF Notes:

Basic PBR material properties

Impact:

PBR materials enable Physically-Based-Rendering (PBR) for a standardized, photorealistic look of rendered images. PBR uses concepts like metallic-roughness or specular-glossiness properties and a microfacet-based modeling of the surface, using a concept called BRDF (Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Function). In this example, PBR materials are used to achieve realistic looking plastic and metal materials. Without support for PBR materials, only basic colors and shading can be used (for example, based on more simple shading models, such as the Blinn/Phong model).

What's the best way to get 3MF files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using PRC/U3D?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to 3MF and PRC/U3D files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Meet the Author

author image

3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

RapidPipeline lets you convert, optimize and prepare your 3D models, easily.
Try it today, or meet our human 3D experts. The Best-in-Class Tools for Your 3D Processing Jobs