Compare STL vs OBJ vs STEP: The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing File Formats
Last Updated: 15 Sep, 2025
So, you’ve designed a brilliant 3D model and you’re ready to bring it to life. You hit “export” and are immediately confronted with a dropdown menu of file formats: STL, OBJ, STEP, AMF and 3MF. Which one do you choose? If you simply go with the default, you might be sacrificing print quality, color, or even the ability to easily edit your design later.
At the heart of this technology are CAD (Computer-Aided Design) file formats, which act as the bridge between digital 3D models and physical printed objects.