Convert 3MF to GLTF Files

Convert 3MF to GLTF

3MF to GLTF Conversion

Discover the simplest way to turn 3MF into GLTF using our powerful tool:

  1. Download & Install:

    Convert your 3MF files to GLTF format seamlessly using our Autoconverter - simply install and launch the software on your system.

  2. Import 3MF File:

    Either click Open... to browse for your .3mf file, or drag and drop it anywhere in the application window.

  3. Export to GLTF Format:

    Use Save As... to specify both location and filename (with .gltf extension) for your exported file.

Stuck on 3MF to GLTF conversion? Our practical guides help you complete 3MF files conversion successfully:

3MF 3D Manufacturing File

An open-source XML file format developed by the 3MF Consortium, a collaboration of companies and organizations in the 3D printing industry. It was designed to overcome the limitations of older formats, such as STL, which only store geometric data, by providing a more comprehensive and extensible framework for additive manufacturing workflows.

Main Advantages Over STL

Unlike STL, 3MF can store additional information, making it a more advanced and versatile choice for additive manufacturing:

  • Color Support:

    Defines the color of individual triangles, enabling more realistic and visually detailed prints.

  • Transparency:

    Specifies opacity levels for triangles or vertices, allowing for the creation of transparent or translucent objects.

  • Textures:

    Supports texture mapping by associating 2D images with 3D models, enhancing realism in prints.

  • Metadata:

    Allows embedding custom data such as author, title, description, and license, facilitating better file management and sharing.

3MF File Conversion

Our products, Autoconverter and Automesher Application, are fully compatible with the 3MF file format. They utilize the official lib3mf library to enable seamless import and export of 3MF files. A significant limitation of the 3MF format is its lack of support for group hierarchies. When converting a 3D model containing nested subgroups - often used for organizational purposes - these structural relationships are not preserved in the 3MF file. Despite this, 3MF remains a powerful and modern format for 3D printing, offering a rich set of features that go beyond traditional STL files.

GLB Graphics Language Transmission File

A file format developed and maintained by the Khronos Group organization, a consortium of industry leaders that creates open standards for graphics, media, and parallel computing. It is designed to facilitate the efficient storage and exchange of 3D models.

Key Features of GLTF/GLB

  • GLTF Versions:

    There are two versions of the GLTF file format that are available:
    • GLTF 1.0:
      Supports basic geometry, simple materials with textures, basic skeletal animations with joint hierarchies, scenes with a single root node and a hierarchy of child nodes, etc.
    • GLTF 2.0:
      Supports more features, such as PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials, Draco compression, advanced skeletal animations, skinning, morph targets, etc.

  • ASCII and Binary Modes:

    By default, a GLTF file is saved in ASCII text mode, which is human-readable and easy to edit. To save a GLTF file with all referenced texture images in binary mode, the GLB file extension should be used. This reduces the file size and the number of files.

  • Embedded Textures:

    GLTF/GLB files allow for a more streamlined and efficient way to manage 3D assets. By storing textures directly within the file, these formats eliminate the need for separate image files, making the 3D model self-contained and easier to distribute.

GLTF/GLB File Conversion

Autoconverter and Automesher Application allow you to import and export GLTF and GLB files, and convert them into various other 3D file formats. Our products also support the use of Draco compression, which can significantly reduce the size of GLTF and GLB files without compromising visual fidelity.

3MF vs. GLTF Comparison

Property 3MF GLTF
Extensions .3mf .gltf, .glb
Name 3D Manufacturing Format GL Transmission File
Versions
  • Min: GLTF V1
  • Max: GLTF V2
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers