February 3, 2020
Most Popular 3D Printing File Formats (2020 Edition) | Makenica.com | Blog
Learn more about the 3D Printing File Formats that you use today. Understand how STL, OBJ, AMF, 3MF into existence and how they are used in 2020
It is safe to say that 3D Printing has evolved from a niche hobby to disruption of the incumbent manufacturing processes. Over these years, major improvements have taken place and one of such aspects is the 3D Printing File Formats.
Why are 3D Printing File Formats so important?
If there are universally accepted formats, the collaboration between communities improves resulting in faster adoption of the technology.
Today, we are going to look at the following subtopics:- What is a 3D Printing File Format?
- How many 3D Printing File Formats are there?
- Why are there so many File Formats?
- Which are the Most Popular 3D Print File Formats in 2020
- Pros and Cons of each 3D Print File Formats
- Summary
What exactly is a 3D printer file?
In the context of 3D Printing, a 3D Printing File is an electronically stored file that contains information about your 3D Design such as the shape, size, geometry, surface texture and more. It’s essential to understand that not all 3D Printing File Formats are created equal. Some carry more in-depth information compared to others.
For example, if you are working with Industrial Grade 3D Printers, some formats store information related to type of material, or even color. Using a wrong 3D Printing File Format might lead to catastrophic outputs.
How many 3D Printing File Formats are there?
While there is no official list for all the accepted 3D File Formats, here is an exhaustive list based on the formats that we have worked with:
| ASC
GEO RAW TPO BDY BDA SCN CDF uRAY MESH POV VRML SCAD (OpenSCAD) RAY RIB YAODL |
STL
EBS TXT EBO 3D2 3DX IOB NFF WRL GEM ASM QRT P3D OBJ (Wavefront) SKP (Sketchup) OFF |
PLY (Standford)
KMZ (Google Earth) 3DS (3D Studio) AC3D ASE (3D Studio) DAE (Collada) DAT XT3 MD2/MD3 (Quake) Q30 (Quick 3D) COB (Truespace) DXF (AutoCAD) LWO (Lightwave) IGES SFF SGI STEP (ISO 10303) |
Why are there so many File Formats?
3D Printing started as late as the 1980s, a time when every company was striving to dominate the manufacturing market. This resulted in various 3D Printing File Formats, most of which never saw any real commercial success and were incompatible in competing systems.
To solve this issue, open-source came to the rescue, with 3D Printing File Formats that were “neutral” or “open-source”. Formats that would carry essential information about the 3D Model making it easier to 3D Print them.
Which are the Most Popular 3D Print File Formats in 2020?
Some formats were widely supported by the corporates as well as the enthusiasts. In 2020, most widely used 3D Print File Formats are:
- STL
- OBJ
- AMF
- 3MF
As of 2020, these file formats are all open source, neutral and widely used across multiple industries using 3D Printing. Let’s take a look at them.
#1. STL – King of the hill
If you are in 3D Printing there are high-chances that you have come across the File Extension filename.STL
STL is still the undisputed king among the 3D Printer File Formats
STL is short for “Standard Triangle Language or ‘’Standard Tessellation Language’’” and was developed in the late 1980’s by Chuck Hull who in turn invented the first 3D Printer too.
STL File Format stores the 3D Model information as a collection of geometrical shapes, turning them into a triangular mesh. These triangular mesh are also called “Tessellations”.
Tessellations are continuous triangular patterns fused together to create complex surfaces. You can imagine lying down bathroom tiles that will yield a similar effect.
When should you choose STL?
-Your 3D Model requires single type of material
-Your 3D Model doesn’t require smooth surface
-Your 3D Model doesn’t need to be watertight
-Your 3D Model would be downloaded/shared/used by average consumers
-You want flexibility in choosing the software and hardware for 3D Printing.
#2. OBJ – The Disruptor
OBJ (Wavefront OBJect) is the disruptor that is almost as popular as STL but it eliminates the shortcomings of STL File.
It was developed by Wavefront Technologies and is widely used in Aerospace and Automotive Industries.OBJ File Format uses more advanced geometry shapes when it comes to storing the 3D Model. While it uses Tessellation, it also incorporates free-form curves, polygons and stores material/texture type in a separate MTL File.
An MTL File is an extension to OBJ File. It contains “Face Attributes” which define materials, textures, colours, transparency while reducing the overall size of the 3D Model File.
When should you choose OBJ over STL?
-You are a professional who demands precise outputs (particularly the model surfaces)
-You work with multiple materials and textures in the same 3D Model File.
-You work with highly complex designs which cannot be fulfilled with STL
-You work with other designers to develop the 3D Models. OBJ Format allows other designers to make changes without losing critical details while sharing.
#3. AMF – The New Entrant
AMF was launched in 2011 to completely take over the STL Market.AMF stands for Advanced Module File which is dubbed as STL 2.0 but without the shortcomings of the incumbent.
What is common between STL and AMF?
They are both based on Tessellations Geometry. They are compatible with most 3D Printers.
What is the difference between STL and AMF?
-STL carries tessellation geometry with sharp triangular patterns whereas AMF carries tessellations that can have curved triangular patterns.
-STL cannot carry critical information such as material, texture, colours, intricate part details whereas AMF can easily incorporate them into the file.
-STL file doesn’t carry the scale information about the 3D Model whereas users can define scale metrics such as mm, cm, or inches in AMF Format
When should you choose AMF over STL?
-When you have 3D Printers/3D Printing providers who accept AMF file formats as it is fairly new.
-You are a professional who demands precise outputs (particularly the model surfaces)
-You work with multiple materials and textures in the same 3D Model File.
-You work with highly complex designs which cannot be fulfilled with STL
#4. 3MF– The Future Ahead
AMF never took off, and the industry is not keen on using it again.
This is when giants such as Microsoft, AutoDesk, Autodesk, 3D Systems, EOS, Stratasys, came together to create a 3D Print File Format that would shake the 3D Printing world.
And it did.
3MF is touted to provide a seamless and high-quality experience for 3D Printing consumers and 3D Printing Manufacturers.
Furthermore, 3MF is built on the shoulders of AMF.
-They are both based on XML.
-They both store critical information about the 3D Model such as colours, materials, textures and even author metadata.
-They both use teselletated curved triangular patterns to represent the surface of the 3D Model.
3MF overcame a serious problem faced by AMF which was industry-wide adoption. This is because the stakeholders came together, drove the innovation forward and are now adding more members to make it ubiquitous to 3D Printing.
When should you choose 3MF?
All the time as long as your 3D Printer or 3D Printing Partner permits or at least as long as it’s free to use. There is an unproven concern in the industry that 3MF might become a proprietary paid file format. This is due to the monopolizing nature of Microsoft over the last 30+ years.
Until it becomes so, enjoy 3MF (and it’s amazing automatic file repair system)
Summary & Conclusion:
While there are many formats which you can use, none are as widely accepted as these:- STL
- OBJ
- AMF
- 3MF
The file format that you choose is highly dictated by the 3D designer you work with, 3D model requirements, 3D printer or 3D printer service that you will be using. If you just want to get started, we suggest STL and if you are a core enthusiast then you probably are using 3MF.
How do we know? Here’s how we learned.
–https://www.cmac.com.au/blog/4-common-types-3d-printer-file-formats-when-to-use
–https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2018/10/17/top-4-of-the-best-3d-printer-file-formats/
-Internal Makenica Research from industry designers, clients, and students
