3MF - Format Overview

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database.

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) is an XML-based file format developed by the 3MF Consortium for additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Unlike traditional 3D formats that only describe geometry, 3MF is designed to capture the full intent of a 3D model including materials, colors, textures, and manufacturing instructions. The format addresses limitations of STL by supporting color, materials, lattices, and multiple objects in a single file. 3MF uses a ZIP-based package structure and is supported by major 3D printing software and hardware manufacturers including Microsoft, HP, Autodesk, and others. It is a file format mostly used for 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

There are various ways to convert between 3MF files and other 3D formats. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize 3MF files, at scale. It supports 3MF, as well as many other file formats (examples: 3dsMax, ACIS, AutoCAD, CATIA, COLLADA, Creo, DGN, FBX, glTF, I-deas, IFC, IGES, Inventor, JT, Navisworks, OBJ, Parasolid, PLY, PRC/U3D, Revit, Rhino 3DM, Solid Edge, SolidWorks, STEP, STEP Enhanced, STL, USD, USDZ, VDA-FS, VRM, VRML), at high quality.

Due to the potential limitations aforementioned on the table above, in principle, this format cannot always perfectly convert 3D data between 3MF and other formats. In the following, you can find format conversion guides between 3MF and the most important other formats, along with a rough score for compatibility of this workflow:

Converting 3MF to Other 3D File Formats

• 3MF to FBX
• 3MF to glTF
• 3MF to OBJ
• 3MF to PLY
• 3MF to STL
• 3MF to USD
• 3MF to USDZ
• 3MF to VRM

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 files - the conversion guide above gives a rough idea. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to automate the process.

However, especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated 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!

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