Convert 3DS Files to 3MF

3DS to 3MF

3DS to 3MF Conversion

This list offers valuable resources, filled with step-by-step instructions and expert tips for converting 3DS files to 3MF format using our converters. Investigate them now to facilitate your 3DS files conversion later.


3DS vs. 3MF Comparison

Property 3DS 3MF
Extensions .3ds .3mf
Name 3D-Studio File Format 3D Manufacturing Format
Versions
Textures
Colors
Geometry components

3DS 3D Studio File

A widely recognized format used for storing polygonal mesh models. It has gained popularity due to its extensive feature set and compatibility with various software, such as:

  • Extensive Support: The 3DS format supports a variety of features including model names, reusable geometry component instances, materials with transparent colors, and texture images.
  • Compatibility: You can import and export 3DS models to and from many software applications, such as DIALux, which is used for lighting design.
  • Legacy Constraints: Due to its legacy constraints, 3DS model names are limited to 8 characters. Additionally, a single 3DS mesh object can only contain up to 32,767 triangles.
  • 3DS Converters: To overcome legacy limitations and convert any mesh into 3DS format, you can use our Autoconverter and Automesher Application. They will automatically split your models into smaller shells to accommodate the triangles limit, and convert them to the 3DS format.

3MF 3D Manufacturing File

An open-source XML file format that was created by the 3MF Consortium, a group of companies and organizations involved in the 3D printing industry. Unlike the older STL format, which only stores the geometry of 3D models, 3MF can also store additional information, such as:

  • Color: 3MF can define the color of each triangle in a 3D model, allowing for more realistic and detailed prints.
  • Transparency: 3MF can specify the opacity of each triangle or vertex in a 3D model, enabling the creation of transparent or translucent objects.
  • Texture: 3MF can associate a 2D image with a 3D model, and map the image coordinates to the model coordinates, resulting in textured prints.
  • Metadata: 3MF can include custom data such as author, title, description, or license for each 3D model, facilitating the sharing and management of 3D files.

3MF File Converters: Our products, Autoconverter and Automesher Application, are compatible with 3MF. To import and export 3MF files they utilize the official lib3mf library. However, there is one limitation that you should be aware of: 3MF does not support group hierarchies, which are used to organize 3D models into hierarchical subgroups. Therefore, if you have a 3D model that contains group hierarchies, you will lose them when you convert it to 3MF.