

Plus, our PrusaSlicer uses 3MF as a default format for saving projects ( File – Save Project). PrusaSlicer and several other slicer programs support using 3MF files.

With that said, PrusaSlicer can still load AMF if you want to use it for whatever reason. At best, AMF files were used to the same extent as STLs, meaning that the AMF only carried a single mesh without any additional attributes. AMF files were never properly supported by any software of which we are aware. On the other hand, AMF is ambiguous and the specification is only available for a fee.

Also, 3MF files are supported by Cura and Microsoft 3D builder (among other apps). It’s simple: the 3MF specification is newer and unambiguous, and it’s available for free. When we introduced our new PrusaSlicer 2.0 and launched the new PrusaPrinters community hub, some people asked us why we prefer sharing the models in 3MF format over AMF. This means that your model (the whole scene with a configuration) can be easily saved and shared with others, saving a huge chunk of time, because you don’t have to go through the pre-slicing setup every time you import the model. In short, this file can hold pretty much all information about the model (scene) including the individual configuration made in your slicer. Where STL would make a copy of every triangle for every copy of a mesh, 3MF simply notes that this object has a new instance and saves its location. Single objects can be referenced or moved without changing the mesh, and multiple identical objects can be placed referencing the same mesh. This helps to prevent errors in printed models.

Nowadays, it includes well-known names such as Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, Ultimaker and more (see 3mf.io to find out more). 3MF, also called 3D Manufacturing Format is an open-source project developed by the 3MF consortium founded by Microsoft.
