Exporting 3D Print Files

You can export part and assembly files to STL (.stl), 3D Manufacturing Format (.3mf), or Additive Manufacturing File Format (.amf) format.

To export a 3D print file:

  1. Click File > Print3D.
  2. In the Print3D PropertyManager, expand Save To File.
  3. For Format, choose one of the following:
    • STL (*.stl)

      This ASCII or binary format file describes only the surface geometry of a 3D object as a raw, unstructured triangulated surface.

    • 3D Manufacturing Format (*.3mf)

      This is an additive manufacturing focused file format that lets you send full-fidelity 3D models to other applications, platforms, services, and printers.

    • Additive Manufacturing File (*.amf)

      This xml-based file lets you select export options that store the color and materials of the object to be 3D printed in the .AMF file, as well as the geometry of the model.

  4. Click Save File.
  5. By default, the file is saved to the model location.
  6. Click Options.
    While many options are the same for the .stl, .3mf, and .amf file formats, they have these differences:
    • 3D Manufacturing Format (*.3mf)
      Show 3MF info before saving file View the 3MF information before saving the file.
      Include materials Includes base materials with the exported file.
      Include appearances Includes appearances with the exported file. Only surface mapped textural appearances are exported to .3mf.
      Include slicing Includes slicing information with the exported file.
    • Additive Manufacturing File (*.amf)
      Include materials Includes the materials applied to parts or bodies.
      Include colors Includes the colors applied to the model as part of the model appearance.
    • STL (*.stl)
      Do not translate STL output data to positive space Maintains the exported parts in their original position in global space, relative to the origin.
      Save all components of an assembly in a single file Saves the assembly and its components in a single .stl file.
      Check for interferences Performs an interference check on an assembly document before saving.
  7. Click OK.
  8. Click Save.