3D file formats · guide
What is a 3MF file?
Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer and OrcaSlicer save projects as 3MF. It fixes most of STL's limits — here's what it stores and when you'd still convert it.
By the Kenerate AI teamUpdated 2 min read
Convert 3MF to STL
Quick answer
Updated
A 3MF file (.3mf, 3D Manufacturing Format) is a ZIP package containing an XML description of one or more 3D models, published by the 3MF Consortium in 2015 as a modern replacement for STL. Unlike STL, it records units in millimetres, colours, materials, several objects and slicer settings. Modern slicers open it directly.
Key facts
- Full name
- 3D Manufacturing Format
- Published by
- 3MF Consortium, 2015
- Container
- ZIP with XML model
- Stores
- Units, colours, materials, objects, settings
- Opens in
- Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Cura
On this page
What is a 3MF file?
What's inside a 3MF
Rename a .3mf to .zip and you can look inside: a content-types file, relationships, and a 3D/3dmodel.model XML file listing vertices and triangles that share them, plus a unit [1]. Slicers add thumbnails, colour data and their own settings as extra parts of the package.
3MF vs STL in one table
Why slicers moved to 3MF
How to open or convert a 3MF
- Open: Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Cura, Windows 3D Builder — or the free online 3D viewer.
- Convert to STL: for older tools; colours and settings are dropped.
- Convert from STL: STL to 3MF adds a unit and shares vertices, usually shrinking the file.
How it works
How it works in the app
Step 1
Choose text, photo or multi-view
Open 3D Studio and pick how to start: describe an object, upload a photo, or add several views.
Step 2
Pick a 3D engine
Open the model card to choose the engine and version that fits your object.
Step 3
Describe the object
Write one object on a plain background, then set textures, PBR materials and quality.
Step 4
Click Build 3D model
Press Build 3D model to start — the textured model appears in your gallery.
See it in the app
Open 3D Studio and pick how to start: describe an object, upload a photo, or add several views.
FAQ
What is a 3MF file?: questions
7 questions
What does 3MF stand for?
3D Manufacturing Format.
Link to this answerIs 3MF better than STL?
For printing, usually: it stores units, colours and multiple objects. STL is simpler and opens everywhere.
Link to this answerHow do I open a 3MF file?
In a modern slicer, Windows 3D Builder, or an online 3MF viewer.
Link to this answerCan I convert 3MF to STL?
Yes — the geometry converts cleanly; colours and slicer settings are dropped.
Link to this answerCan Blender open 3MF files?
Not out of the box — Blender has no built-in 3MF importer, though a free 3MF add-on adds one. The quick route is to convert the 3MF to GLB, OBJ or STL with the free 3D model converter and import that.
Link to this answerHow do I edit a 3MF file?
Open it in a slicer such as Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer or OrcaSlicer to move, scale, paint colours or change settings, then save it again as 3MF. To reshape the mesh itself, convert it to STL or OBJ and edit it in Blender or the free STL editor.
Link to this answerWhy is my 3MF from Bambu Studio big?
Project 3MFs can include thumbnails, settings and sometimes sliced data alongside the model.
Link to this answerConvert 3MF to STL
Need an STL from a 3MF — or the other way round? Free, in your browser.