{"id":4334,"date":"2016-03-02T07:06:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-02T07:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimakerstage.wpengine.com\/learn\/"},"modified":"2023-12-13T12:48:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T12:48:38","slug":"an-introduction-to-the-3mf-file-format","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimaker.com\/fr\/learn\/an-introduction-to-the-3mf-file-format\/","title":{"rendered":"An introduction to the 3MF file format"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"An<\/div>\n

An introduction to the 3MF file format<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n

The world of 3D printing is perpetually innovating and pushing the boundaries of what\u2019s possible. As a result 3D printers have pretty much evolved beyond the capabilities of today\u2019s 3D file formats such as STL, the most commonly used file format. More functionality is needed.<\/p><\/div>\n

To overcome this, a revolutionary new 3D printing format called 3MF\u00a0(3D Manufacturing Format)<\/i>\u00a0has been created to allow design applications to send full-fidelity 3D models to a mix of other applications, platforms, services and 3D printers.<\/p><\/section>\n

\"3MF<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n

This XML-based data format is being developed by the\u00a03MF Consortium<\/a>, an industry association which was initially started by Microsoft and now includes names such as Shapeways and Autodesk. Ultimaker is a member and contributor, because we believe makers shouldn\u2019t be limited by current file formats and that 3MF will make 3D printing even easier with a broader spectrum of possibilities.<\/p>\n

We needed a more modern, future-proof and free format that’s still easy to implement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cUltimaker\u2019s vision \u2014 to make 3D printing accessible to all \u2014 is one we share at the 3MF Consortium,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0says Adrian Lannin, 3MF Consortium executive director.\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re pleased to welcome Ultimaker and know that its award-winning innovation and experience serving both professionals and novices will help strengthen the 3MF specification and its global adoption.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

The beginning of 3MF<\/h2>\n

3MF came about when Microsoft and its partners wanted to implement 3D printing support that would solve their customers\u2019 existing problems and address future needs. An important consideration was how applications should pass model data to 3D printers. After conferring with others in the industry, they soon realised there wasn\u2019t anything that existed that met their needs. So Microsoft and its partners created the initial version of code and donated its work-in-progress 3D file format. This was the starting point for the 3MF Consortium who developed the specification further.<\/p><\/section>\n

\"3MF<\/figure>
<\/div>\n<\/path>\n<\/path><\/svg>\nWatch the video<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

What is so good about 3MF?<\/h2>\n

The 3MF standard has been designed to have the complete model information contained within a single archive: mesh, textures, materials, colors and print ticket. An STL, on the other hand, contains only the simple mesh that is to be printed. This is why a dual material print, for example, currently requires two separate STL files to be loaded \u2013 one for each material. A 3MF for such a print would simply consist of a single file.<\/p>\n

In addition, the 3MF file format is<\/p>\n