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.
3D Model Formats – Useful for Drafters
3D modeling is widely known everywhere and used in countless mediums, ranging from architectural, illustrations, video games, engineering, and advertising. This technical term is also used on the web, where rendering contains 3D modeling along with web development. There are several 3D file formats available for 3D models, including separate options merely used in specialized labs and well-known formats available in most digital devices. Let’s take a brief overview of the following 3D file formats that are relevant to designing and rendering 3D models: