What file format do 3d printers use​？

3D printers use several file formats to translate digital models into instructions that the printer can understand and execute. 

STL (Stereolithography)

Format Characteristics: The STL format is one of the most widely used in 3D printing. It represents a 3D object as a collection of triangular facets. Each triangle is defined by three vertices and a normal vector that indicates the orientation of the surface. This format does not contain information about color, texture, or other material properties; it only describes the object’s geometry.

Advantages

Universal Compatibility: STL is supported by nearly all 3D printers and 3D modeling software, making it a highly interoperable format. It allows for easy transfer of models between different systems and applications.

Simple Structure: The triangular mesh structure is relatively simple, which makes it easy for 3D printers to parse and convert the file into machine – readable instructions. This simplicity also enables quick processing and slicing, the process of dividing the 3D model into horizontal layers for printing.

Disadvantages

Lack of Precision: The approximation of the 3D object by triangles means that curved surfaces are represented as a series of small flat facets. This can lead to a loss of precision, especially in complex or highly detailed models, where curved surfaces may appear faceted or jagged.

No Color or Texture Information: As mentioned earlier, STL files do not store any data regarding color, texture, or other surface properties. This limits the ability to create fully – detailed and realistic 3D prints directly from the STL file.

Applications: STL is commonly used in rapid prototyping, where the focus is on quickly creating a physical model of a design to test its form, fit, and function. It is also widely used in the manufacturing industry for creating molds and tooling, as well as in the medical field for fabricating anatomical models.

OBJ (Wavefront Object)

Format Characteristics: The OBJ format is another popular file format in the 3D graphics and printing world. It is a text – based format that describes a 3D object in terms of vertices, faces, and texture coordinates. Unlike STL, OBJ can store information about the object’s material, such as color and texture, in a separate material definition file (.mtl).

Advantages

Rich Feature Set: The ability to store material and texture information makes OBJ a preferred format for creating more detailed and visually appealing 3D prints. It allows for a higher level of customization and realism in the final printed object.

Human – Readable: Being a text – based format, OBJ files can be easily edited and inspected using a text editor. This makes it convenient for developers and designers to modify the object’s properties or make adjustments to the model.

Disadvantages

Lack of Compression: OBJ files can be quite large, especially for complex models with a high number of vertices and detailed textures. This can lead to slower file transfer and processing times, which may be a drawback in some applications.

Limited Support in Some 3D Printers: While many 3D modeling software packages support the OBJ format, not all 3D printers have native support for it. This may require additional conversion or processing steps before the file can be printed.

Applications: OBJ is commonly used in the entertainment industry, such as in video game development and 3D animation, where detailed visual models are required. It is also used in architectural design and product design for creating realistic renderings and prototypes with specific material and texture properties.

AMF (Additive Manufacturing File Format)

Format Characteristics: The AMF format is a relatively new and more advanced file format designed specifically for additive manufacturing. It is an XML – based format that can store a wide range of information about the 3D object, including its geometry, material properties, color, and even build instructions. AMF files can also handle multiple materials and complex assemblies, making it suitable for advanced 3D printing applications.

Advantages

Comprehensive Information Storage: The ability to store detailed material and build information in a single file makes AMF a powerful format for complex 3D printing projects. It allows for more precise control over the printing process and enables the creation of multi – material and multi – colored prints.

Scalability and Flexibility: AMF is designed to be scalable, meaning it can handle large and complex models with ease. It also supports the use of parametric models, where the geometry of the object can be defined by parameters that can be easily adjusted, providing greater flexibility in the design and printing process.

Disadvantages

Limited Adoption: Due to its relatively new status, the AMF format has not yet been as widely adopted as STL or OBJ. Some 3D printers and software may not have full support for AMF, which can limit its use in certain applications.

Complexity: The rich feature set and XML – based structure of AMF files can make them more complex than other formats. This may require more advanced software and processing capabilities to handle and interpret the files correctly.

Applications: AMF is increasingly being used in advanced manufacturing applications, such as the production of functional parts with multiple materials and complex geometries. It is also being explored in the field of bioprinting, where the ability to precisely control the deposition of different materials is crucial.

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format)

Format Characteristics: The 3MF format is an open – standard file format developed by the 3MF Consortium. It is designed to be a more comprehensive and efficient alternative to the STL format. 3MF files can store 3D models as a combination of meshes, voxels (volume pixels), or parametric representations. They can also include metadata, such as the object’s name, author, and printing instructions.

Advantages

Compact and Efficient: 3MF files are often more compact than STL files, as they use advanced compression techniques to store the model data. This results in faster file transfer and storage, which is beneficial for online sharing and cloud – based 3D printing services.

Enhanced Metadata Support: The ability to include detailed metadata in the file provides additional information about the 3D object, making it easier to manage and organize 3D models. This metadata can also be used to convey specific printing instructions or requirements to the 3D printer.

Disadvantages

Compatibility Issues: Although the 3MF format is gaining popularity, it still may not be supported by all 3D printers and software. Some older or less – common 3D printing systems may require additional plugins or conversions to handle 3MF files.

Learning Curve: For users accustomed to more traditional formats like STL, there may be a learning curve associated with understanding and using the 3MF format, especially when it comes to working with its advanced features and metadata.

Applications: 3MF is being widely adopted in the consumer 3D printing market, as well as in some industrial applications where efficient file management and online sharing of 3D models are important. It is also being used in 3D printing services and platforms that aim to provide a seamless user experience from model creation to printing.

VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language)

Format Characteristics: VRML is a file format used for creating interactive 3D virtual environments. It allows for the definition of 3D objects, their properties, and their behavior in a virtual space. VRML files can contain information about geometry, texture, lighting, and animation, making it a versatile format for creating immersive 3D experiences.

Advantages

Interactive and Dynamic: The ability to define animations and interactions within the file makes VRML suitable for creating engaging and interactive 3D content. This is particularly useful in applications such as virtual reality simulations, online 3D games, and interactive product showcases.

Rich Visual Capabilities: VRML supports a wide range of visual effects, including realistic lighting, textures, and materials. This allows for the creation of highly detailed and visually appealing 3D models that can enhance the user’s experience.

Disadvantages

Complexity and Size: VRML files can be quite complex and large, especially for detailed 3D scenes with multiple objects and animations. This can lead to slow loading times and require significant processing power to render, which may limit its use in some applications with performance constraints.

Limited Direct Use in 3D Printing: While VRML can provide detailed 3D models, it is not directly designed for 3D printing. Converting VRML files to a printable format may require additional software and processing steps, and some of the interactive and dynamic features of VRML may not be relevant or easily translatable to the 3D printing process.

Applications: VRML is primarily used in the field of virtual reality and interactive 3D applications. It has been used in architectural visualization to create virtual walkthroughs of buildings, in educational software to provide interactive 3D learning environments, and in the entertainment industry for creating immersive virtual worlds.

PLY (Polygon File Format)

Format Characteristics: The PLY format, also known as the Stanford Triangle Format, is a simple file format that stores 3D geometric data. It can represent both polygonal meshes and point clouds. PLY files contain information about vertices, faces, and optionally, vertex colors and other attributes.

Advantages

Flexibility in Representation: PLY can handle both triangular meshes and other polygon types, providing more flexibility in representing 3D geometries compared to some other formats. It can also store additional vertex – level information, such as color, which allows for more detailed and customized 3D prints.

Open – Source and Well – Documented: Being an open – source format, PLY has a large community of users and is well – documented. This makes it easy to find resources and tools for working with PLY files, and it is widely supported by various 3D modeling and processing software.

Disadvantages

Lack of Standardization in Extended Features: While the basic PLY format is well – defined, there can be some variability in how different software implementations handle extended features and custom attributes. This can lead to compatibility issues when sharing PLY files between different applications.

Not Optimized for Large Datasets: For very large 3D models or point clouds, PLY files can become extremely large and may require significant memory and processing power to handle. In such cases, more specialized formats or data compression techniques may be needed.

Applications: PLY is commonly used in computer vision and 3D scanning applications, where it is used to store and process point cloud data. It is also used in 3D modeling and animation for creating and sharing 3D models with custom vertex attributes, such as colored meshes. In 3D printing, PLY can be used when detailed vertex – level information is required for the print.