3D Manufacturing Format model MIME Type
model/3mf represents, how to open it, and how Poly supports this 3D format. MIME type details for model/3mf
In active use| MIME type | model/3mf |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .3mf |
| First standardized | 2015 |
| Created by | 3MF Consortium |
| Browser support | |
| Example applications | PrusaSlicer, Microsoft 3D Viewer |
| Poly support | Yes. Poly recognizes valid 3D Manufacturing Format model files and makes supported geometry and scene metadata available. |
| Indexed by Poly | Yes. Poly indexes filenames and creates visual similarity information for supported 3D content; available metadata is shown in details. |
| Preview in Poly | Yes. Poly previews supported 3D Manufacturing Format model geometry and scene content. |
| Poly agent | Yes. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files. |
What does model/3mf represent?
The model/3mf media type identifies 3d manufacturing format model files, normally stored as .3mf. 3MF is a ZIP-based XML package for additive manufacturing. A document can contain one or more objects plus relationships, core properties, colors, textures, thumbnails, print settings, and extension data. Which manufacturing constructs are present depends on the producing application.1
Opening and converting the format
PrusaSlicer and Microsoft 3D Viewer are useful applications for opening or importing this format. Export to GLB for compact interactive delivery; use 3MF when additive manufacturing is the goal.
Support in Poly
Poly previews supported geometry, makes filenames searchable, and provides visual similarity for supported 3D content. Available mesh and scene metadata can appear in details. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files.
| Construct | Handling |
|---|---|
| Geometry | Mesh objects for manufacturing |
| Appearance | Colors, materials, and textures when included |
| Manufacturing data | Build instructions and extension metadata may be present |
| Poly limitation | Poly does not expose every optional manufacturing extension |
Poly supports inspection and multimodal understanding; editing, simulation, and exact authoring remain application tasks.
Format context and alternatives
The 3MF Consortium introduced 3MF to exchange full-fidelity manufacturing models across design software, services, and printers. The specification is now recognised as ISO/IEC 25422:2025. 1 Choose glTF or GLB for interactive scene delivery, OBJ for simple mesh exchange, and 3MF for manufacturing packages when its optional metadata matches the workflow.
Footnotes
- 3MF Consortium. 3MF specification. ↩ ↩2