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Shown here are Creality Slicer, Prusa Slicer and Simplify 3D. Each of these can import STL, OBJ and 3MF files. Each permits resizing, rotating, reflecting and duplicating individual items and can efficiently place and space multiple items and groups. Each saves or exports as 3MF files. On the right is the Fusion 360 print dialog where I can choose which slicer and which format to send.
OBJ files were introduced in 1980 for visual rendering (e.g. animation, gaming, special effects). Files store surface geometry as interconnected triangles and define surface textures, materials and colors. These features were overkill for early 3D printers.
STL (Stereolithography) files were developed in 1987 by 3D Systems specifically for CAD and 3D printing, having a single focus on geometry. They were simple and computationally efficient (and also unitless like OBJ, assuming mm). STLs permitted only one object. They dominated early 3D printing processes (FDM, SLA, SLS), where color or texture was irrelevant and provided a simple standard for industry growth. However, modern printers can now do color, texture and multi-material, thus...
3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) files were introduced in 2015 specifically for more advanced 3D printing. To OBJ they add object orientation, units, printing instructions and meta information. Objects in 3MF files can be manipulated separately in the slicer.
All three formats are generated by modern CAD software (for handoff to a slicer app). 3MF is the preferred one.
Glossary |
3D Design
3D Design software is used to create dimensionally accurate objects by sketching 2D geometry and transforming it using tools to rotate, extrude, sweep, etc. The software generates the polygon surface. |
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Glossary |
3D Slicer
3D printing is very important in ceramics, hobby and industry. A slicer is software that slices up an STL file 3D model and runs the printer to lay down each layer. |
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