If you are new to 3D printing, you should familiarize yourself with all the available file formats. These elements are the fundamental base for printing 3D objects, and they determine the type of data that will be transferred from the design model to the 3D printer. If you want to know more about the common 3D printer file formats and which one you should use, read on!
STL 3D Printer File Format
The STL file format, also called Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tessellation Language, is supported by all types of hardware and most software. STL describes the surface of 3D models in terms of tessellated triangles. The STL file format may not be suitable if you are looking to print with very high precision or multiple colors. It only supports 3D models with one color. In addition STL formats require a huge file size to achieve high resolution. Therefore, it may not be suitable for printing detailed images.
OBJ Printer File Format
OBJ (Wavefront Object) was developed to improve on some aspects of STL. It is able to create surfaces using other shapes apart from just triangles. The OBJ 3D printer file format is also great at describing color and texture. That’s why it is a popular option for multi-color printing and 3D graphics. Users can get a more precise and high-resolution 3D models with the OBJ file format without the file size issues faced by STL. Some disadvantages of OBJ include difficulty with modifications and the lack of scale information.
AMF Printer File Format
If you are building a 3D model that requires precision, multi-color, and different materials, consider using the AMF file format (Additive Manufacturing File). It utilizes triangles with curves, which means that it’s much easier to describe rounded surfaces with higher resolution. Unfortunately, the AMF file format is not supported by some software and is still in the beta stages.
3MF Printer File Format
The 3MF printer file format is a great option for storing all types of data for printing 3D models. It is also an open-source standard, widely supported by the industry, and includes encryption features. 3MF, however, is not compatible with all platforms, and some users think it is too complicated for simple projects.
Design Your 3D Model with Kemperle Industries
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced partner to help you with any part of your project that involves 3D printing, Kemperle Industries is the one for you! We specialize in 3D scanning services, product design and engineering, and many more. We are confident that our customized solutions will make you fully satisfied.
