The 3MF file format

[SandervG 1,521]

Hi Guys,

Earlier this week we published a new blog about the details of a rising file format; 3MF.

It could be a very interesting big step for 3D printing where the exported digital file coming from digital fabrication is a better fit for the next step, 3D printing.

The 3MF standard has been designed to have the complete model information contained within a single archive: mesh, textures, materials, colors and print ticket. An STL, on the other hand, contains only the simple mesh that is to be printed. This is why a dual material print, for example, currently requires two separate STL files to be loaded – one for each material. A 3MF for such a print would simply consist of a single file.

I was wondering what you guys think of this file format and the possibilities it offers:

You can read the 3MF blog here.

How are STL's/OBJ's working for you now?

Do they offer everything you need or have you created your workflow around some of the missing information?

Do you think the 3MF holds is the next step?

[Labern 774]

Well seeing it holds material information and defines internals (as I understand it) plus other benefits then it's obviously the way to go. The next step is for design software companies to alow you to export your drawings into this format.

This could take some time.

Another thing is how easy is it to edit a 3MF and convert files to 3MF using 3rd party applications. Stl is not so nice to work with in these cases.