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Here we detail how to convert your U3D file to an 3MF file using the export options found within the SolidWorks application. Currently, our converters cannot convert directly from U3D to 3MF. However, using the built-in export functions of SolidWorks, we can achieve the conversion.
Firstly, you will need to load your U3D file into SolidWorks and select the export to STEP option. Once you have your file in the STEP format, you can use our STEP to 3MF converter to complete the conversion process.
Here are two simple steps to convert your U3D to 3MF.
We aim to process all U3D to 3MF conversions as quickly as possible, this usually takes around 5 seconds but can be more for larger more complex files so please be patient.
We aim to create the most accurate conversions with our tools. Our tools are under constant development with new features and improvements being added every week.
Yes, of course! We do not store the U3D file you submit to us. The resulting 3MF file, once created is deleted 15 minutes after upload and the download link will expire after this time.
Yes! Our U3D to 3MF tool will run on any system with a modern web browser. No specialist software is needed to run any of our conversion tools.
Yes. Although you can use an Ad Blocker, if you like our U3D 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.
Yes. When you have converted your U3D to 3MF, there is a "Feedback" option that you can use to let us know of any issues you encountered when converting your file.
| Extension | U3D |
| Full Name | Universal 3D |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | model/u3d |
| Format | Binary |
| Tools | U3D Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create U3D Animation |
The U3D file is a 3D file format (Universal 3D) developed by a consortium of well-known companies in 2005 with the idea of creating a standardized file format for storing 3D data, including mesh vertices, textures, bones, and effects.
U3D files are binary in nature, containing a block-based structure that, following later revisions, could be extended with custom blocks.
| Extension | 3MF |
| Full Name | 3D Manufacturing Format |
| Type | 3D Model |
| Mime Type | application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml |
| Format | Binary |
| Tools | 3MF Converters, 3D Model Voxelizer, Create 3MF Animation, Compress 3MF, 3MF Asset Extractor, Text to 3MF, 3MF Viewer |
3MF files are a modern 3D file format designed specifically for use with 3D printable models (additive manufacturing). It was designed to be the successor to the popular legacy STL format (also a common format in 3D printing) to overcome the limitations of that format.
The format of 3MF files is XML-based and compressed with standard Zip file compression, resulting in small, easily transferable files. The format supports 3D meshes along with associated materials and textures, all contained within the Zip file.
3MF files support material and color information. If your uploaded model contains color information, our tool will attempt to save this in the 3MF file at the end of the conversion process. Textures are supported and will be included in the final 3MF file.
Software used to prepare a 3D model file for printing, which is also known as 3D slicer software, cannot usually open U3D 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 retro-themed laptop initial design
The retro-themed laptop saved to the 3MF format
The fully-assembled 3D printed laptop
Slicer software can, however, handle files formatted to the 3MF standard. This is because the 3MF format was specifically designed as a medium of storage and exchange for 3D printable models. Our U3D to 3MF conversion tool can convert your U3D file into a 3MF file suitable for loading into most 3D slicer software. As 3MF files support material colors and textures, our converter will convert these if present, resulting in a single 3MF file suitable for use with most 3D slicer software.
Converting from the U3D file format to 3MF 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 U3D file to a valid 3MF 3D model. Let's start with the conversion process, which involves the following steps:
In its simplest form, an U3D 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 U3D file format, please see this great article that goes into a lot of detail explaining the U3D format.
With the U3D 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 3MF format.
The 3MF file format is relatively new and its primary aim is to become the standard for storing and distributing 3D models for 3D printing applications. Most modern 3D printing software can open 3MF files.
Our tool will now take the in-memory 3D model we have created in step 2 and convert this to the 3MF format ensuring it is compatible with any 3D printing software that supports 3MF.
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