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Convert Your 3D Mesh/Model 3DM Files to STL

Our free and fast tool will convert most Rhinoceros 3D 3DM model and mesh files to a standard STL (Standard Triangle Language) file that can then be edited further in most popular 3D editing packages such as Blender or 3D printed without any further processing. Our conversion tool can also batch-convert multiple 3DM files; up to 25 files at a time can be converted.

To convert your 3DM file, click the upload button and select the file you wish to convert. Once selected, the file will be converted to the STL format and will be ready to download shortly afterwards. For more information about the 3DM to STL conversion process, see the conversion information section below for more information.

How to Convert your 3DM to STL Online?

Here are two simple steps to convert your 3DM to STL.

Upload a 3DM

Click the "Upload a 3DM File" button and select a 3DM to upload. The maximum file size is 100MB.

Download your STL

Click the download link once completed to receive your STL file.

File Format Information for 3DM to STL

Extension3DM
Full NameRhinoceros 3D
Type3D Model
Mime Typex-world/x-3dmf
FormatBinary
Tools3DM Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create 3DM Animation, 3DM Asset Extractor, 3DM Viewer

Description

The 3DM format, also known as Rhino3D or Rhinoceros 3D, is a 3D graphics model file format developed and used in CAD applications, industrial design, and 3D printing. The format has some compatibility with Adobe Illustrator and can be exported as an AI file using vector graphics.

Although it is a 3D file format, it stores data in the NURBS geometry format, which allows for greater mathematical precision compared to triangle or polygon-based mesh geometry formats such as STL. Along with support for converting between other CAD formats, the 3DM format can also support two different scripting languages.

3DM Notes

If your 3DM file contains textures, these will be ignored. If a material contains color information, this will be translated where possible.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Mesh material colors

Unsupported Features

  • Textures
  • Animations
ExtensionSTL
Full NameStandard Triangle Language
Type3D Model
Mime Typeapplication/vnd.ms-pki.stl
FormatText & Binary
ToolsSTL Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create STL Animation, Compress STL, Text to STL, STL Viewer
Open WithBlender, Daz Studio, MeshLab, CAD Assistant

Description

The STL file format has its roots in the 1980's and is the native file format for 3D Systems stereolithography CAD software. The format defines a triangulated mesh with vertices and faces and is a popular format for sharing 3D printable model files.

There were several formats that attempted to extend the STL format, namely SolidView and VisCAM, whose formats included limited 15-bit color information for each mesh face, which is often ignored by most modern 3D software. The STL format can be either text or binary; our tools will support both formats.

STL Notes

The standard STL file format does not support colored faces, vertices, or texture information. The STL file generated by the tool will contain only raw mesh/triangle data by default, which is perfect for 3D printing.

The tool also has the option to save the file to one of the non-standard formats that support colored faces, such as VisCAM and SolidView which is perfect if you want to further process the STL in software that supports these formats.

Supported Features

  • Mesh geometry
  • Face colors via the VisCAM and SolidView formats
  • Binary and text versions are supported

Comparing 3DM and STL Features

 

3DM Features

  • Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
  • Vertex Normals
  • Face Normals
  • Vertex Colors
  • Face Materials (Excluding textures)
  • Textures
  • Point Cloud
  • Multiple Objects Per File
  • Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
  • Bones/Joints
  • Animations
  • Suitable for 3D Printing

STL Features

  • Mesh Geometry (Vertices and Faces)
  • Vertex Normals
  • Face Normals
  • Vertex Colors
  • Face Materials (Excluding textures)
  • Textures
  • Point Cloud
  • Multiple Objects Per File
  • Object Transforms (Translation, Rotation, and Scale)
  • Bones/Joints
  • Animations
  • Suitable for 3D Printing

How does it work?

Converting from the 3DM file format to STL can be a complex process, and any tool used for this conversion process needs to be able to handle a variety of data conversion tasks as well as identify any defects within the 3D model and fix them. Here we will explain the conversion process used by our tool to accurately convert your 3DM file to a valid STL 3D model. Let's start with the conversion process, which involves the following steps:

Step 1: Read the Source 3DM File

In its simplest form, an 3DM file is a binary data file containing 3D data such as vertices, faces, normals, and more. When combined, these make up the 3D model you see on your screen.

For more information regarding the 3DM file format, please see this great article that goes into a lot of detail explaining the 3DM format.

Step 2: Process File Data

With the 3DM file data read, our tool generates an internal representation of the full 3D model and will attempt to fix any geometry issues encountered. Along with repairing any issues with the 3D model, the tool will remove any duplicated vertices and prepare the model for exporting to the STL format.

Step 1: Read the Source 3DM File

Step 3: Saving to the STL Format

The STL format has been around for many years and has become not only a standard format for storing and transmitting 3D models but also a standard format for 3D printing, something we have talked about previously. STL files can be opened in most modern 3D editing applications without further processing.

To enable the saving of the model, our tool now needs to take the in-memory 3D model we have created in step 2 and convert this to the STL format. As the STL format supports only simple triangles with a single directional normal, if your 3DM contains vertex normals, these will be recalculated into a single-face normal. To ensure an efficient file size, our tool will always save any STL file in its binary format.

Converting Your 3DM File for 3D Printing

Software used to prepare a 3D model file for printing, which is also known as 3D slicer software, cannot usually open 3DM files. This is because slicer software authors will support the most common formats used for 3D printing, such as STL and 3MF and do not have the resources to implement 3D object parsers for all the possible 3D formats that are out there.

A small cog in the 3DM format

A small cog in the 3DM format

The cog in a Replicator 3D printer

The cog in a Replicator 3D printer

The completed 3D printed cog

The completed 3D printed cog

Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the STL specification. This is because STL, although predating the 3D printing revolution and lacking in some of the features of modern formats, has found almost universal adoption as the format of choice for distributing 3D printable models. Our 3DM to STL conversion tool can convert your 3DM file into an STL file suitable for loading into the 3D slicer software of your choice. As STL files do not support material colors or textures, our converter will not process these, resulting in a single STL file suitable for use with most 3D slicer software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an STL file?

The STL file format describes an unstructured triangulated surface of the triangles using a 3D Cartesian coordinate system. STL files do not contain any scale information, and the units are arbitrary. We have a more detailed description of an STL file here.

How long does it take to convert my 3DM to STL?

We aim to process all 3DM to STL conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.

What STL formats can I convert to?

Our tool will save all STL files in binary format. Optionally, our tool will allow you to save to the non-standard color STL format.

Is it safe to convert my 3DM to STL on ImageToStl.com?

Yes, of course! We do not store the 3DM file you submit to us. The resulting STL file, once created is deleted 15 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.

Do I need a high-spec. computer to use the 3DM to STL converter?

No. All our conversion tools process your 3DM file on our dedicated conversion servers, meaning you can use our tools on low-spec computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices and receive your converted STL file quickly.

Can I convert my 3DM to STL on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS or Mac OS?

Yes! Our 3DM to STL tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.

What if I am using an Ad Blocker, will that affect things?

Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our 3DM conversion tool please consider white-listing our site. When an Ad Blocker is enabled there are some conversion limits on some of our tools and processing/conversion times will be longer.

Can I get support with converting my 3DM to STL?

Yes. When you have converted your 3DM to STL, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.

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