9 Most Common 3D Printing File Types

3D printing technology has been around for many years, but it has only been recently that it has become widely available and accessible. 3D printing is a process of creating physical objects from a digital file by adding layers of material one at a time. In order to use this technology, you will need a 3D printer and a 3D file. The most common 3D file types are STL, OBJ, IGS, STEP, X3D, VRML, DXF, AMF, and 3MF.

STL File Type

STL (Stereolithography) is one of the most widely used 3D printing file formats. It is a simple format that stores information about the shape of an object. STL files contain no color information, so they can only be printed in one color. This makes them ideal for printing complex shapes with a single material.

OBJ File Type

OBJ (Object) is another popular 3D printing file format. It is a more complex format than STL, as it can store information about the color and texture of an object. With an OBJ file, you can create a 3D print that has a variety of colors or textures applied to it.

IGS File Type

IGS (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification) is a 3D printing file format that is used for exchanging CAD data between different computer-aided design (CAD) systems. It is a complex format that can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object. It is commonly used by engineers and designers who need to share complex 3D models between different CAD programs.

STEP File Type

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data) is a 3D printing file format that is used to exchange data between different CAD programs and systems. It is a complex format that can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object. It is commonly used by engineers and designers who need to share complex 3D models between different CAD programs.

X3D File Type

X3D (Extensible 3D) is a file format for 3D printing that is based on XML, the eXtensible Markup Language. It is a popular format for exchanging 3D models over the internet. X3D files can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object, making them ideal for sharing complex 3D models.

VRML File Type

VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) is a 3D printing file format that is used to create interactive 3D scenes on the web. It is a popular format for exchanging 3D models over the Internet. VRML files can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object, making them ideal for creating interactive 3D web content.

DXF File Type

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a 3D printing file format that is used to exchange 2D drawings between different CAD programs. It is a popular format for exchanging 3D models over the internet. DXF files can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object.

AMF File Type

AMF (Additive Manufacturing File) is a 3D printing file format that is used to store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object. It is a popular format for exchanging 3D models over the Internet. AMF files can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object, making them ideal for sharing complex 3D models.

3MF File Type

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) is an open 3D printing file format that is designed for exchanging 3D models between different CAD programs. It is a popular format for exchanging 3D models over the Internet. 3MF files can store information about the geometry, color, texture, and other properties of an object, making them ideal for sharing complex 3D models

These are some of the most common 3D printing file types. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should choose the one that best suits your needs. If you are new to 3D printing, it is best to start with an STL file, as it is the simplest format and is suitable for most 3D printing applications.

3D printing technology is rapidly evolving and becoming more accessible. With the right 3D printing file format, you can create amazing 3D prints with ease. So, if you are looking to get into 3D printing, make sure to familiarize yourself with the different 3D printing file types and choose the one that best fits your needs.