These schemes can be used to encode curved geometry without losing any data. It is also the choice of some developers because it offers a lot of flexibility on how it encodes the 3D model’s geometry.Īside from that, with OBJ, the designer can use more advanced schemes such as free-form curves and free-form surfaces. OBJ is often used when the 3D object requires more than one colour. However, OBJ doesn’t support any kind of animation. The designer can also use polygons such as quadrilaterals. This means that it doesn’t restrict its surface mesh to triangular facets. Unlike STL, OBJ can encode colour and texture information, it also supports both approximate and precise encoding of surface geometry. It was first developed by Wavefront Technologies for its animation package. OBJ (Wavefront OBJect) is a 3D printer file format that was originally used by graphics designers as a neutral interchange format for 3D graphics. If you want to be able to download plenty of ready-to-use 3D models, then use STL file format. STL file format is also used when the 3D model requires a single type of colour. This means that you can use your favourite CAD programs, repair tools and slicers without any problems. Almost any piece of software and hardware supports this file format. STL file format is used by some designers because of its flexibility and popularity. But, it cannot display information about the model’s colour or texture. STL files save 3D models as surface of geometrical shapes and turn it into a triangular mesh. STL (Standard Triangle Language/Standard Tessellation Language) is the first file format developed for 3D printing.

Ever since its invention in 1987, it has remained to be the de facto standard in the 3D printing industry. Nowadays, STL is known to be the most common file format in 3D printing.

These file formats are considered as “go-to” formats for 3D printing. This blog post will introduce 4 3D printer file formats that are commonly used by engineers and designers and when to use it. These are FBX, 3DS, COLLADA, IGES, STEP and many more. There are several 3D file formats that are used today. However, not all 3D printer file formats can carry all kinds of data. It can encode a 3D model’s appearance, geometry, scene and animations. A 3D printer file is known to be the carrier of information from CAD model to 3D printer. File formats are like the blueprints for printing three-dimensional objects.

Best place to download 3d printer files