STL to 3MF - Need STL Conversion? Speed + Accuracy = Done!

Convert STL to 3MF

STL to 3MF Conversion

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

  1. Download & Install:

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

  2. Import STL File:

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

  3. Export to 3MF Format:

    Use Save As... to specify both location and filename (with .3mf extension) for your exported file.

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

STL STereoLithography File

A file format that was developed by 3D Systems, a global leader in the 3D printing industry, to facilitate rapid prototyping and manufacturing. It is widely used in computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, and digital fabrication due to its simplicity and broad compatibility. STL files exclusively represent 3D geometry using a triangular mesh, making them lightweight and easy to process.

Key Features of STL

  • Simplicity:

    STL files are easy to create and read by many software applications and 3D printers, as they only contain the coordinates of the vertices and the normal vectors of the triangles.

  • No Additional Attributes:

    Unlike other 3D formats, STL files do not include details such as face colors, textures, transparency, material properties, or named groups. This means that all STL models appear colorless in their raw form.

  • Binary vs. ASCII STL Formats:

    STL files can be stored in two formats:
    • Binary STL
      - The preferred format due to its compact file size, making it more efficient for storage and processing.
    • ASCII STL
      - A human-readable text format that describes each triangle explicitly, but results in significantly larger file sizes.

  • Units of Measurement:

    The STL format does not define a specific unit of measurement, though most applications interpret the coordinates as being in millimeters. If necessary, our STL files converter can perform automatic unit conversions to match your project’s requirements.

STL File Conversion

Autoconverter and Automesher Application are the best tools for converting STL files because they support a wide range of 3D formats, making it easy to convert STL into other file types like STEP, OBJ, or SKP. They ensure high-quality STL mesh conversion, preserving details and accuracy. With advanced automation, they can process multiple STL files at once, saving time and effort. Additionally, they offer optimization features to clean and edit STL models, making them perfect for designers, engineers, and 3D printing enthusiasts. Convert STL to STEP, OBJ, SKP and more - test our converters with a free trial today!

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.

STL vs. 3MF Comparison

Property STL 3MF
Extensions .stl .3mf
Name STereoLithography 3D Manufacturing Format
Versions
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers