> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.3dpreppro.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Supported file formats

> Every 3D format that 3D Prep Pro can import and export

## Import formats

| Format            | Extensions       | Textures | Vertex Colors | Multiple Objects | Notes                                                                |
| ----------------- | ---------------- | -------- | ------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Wavefront OBJ     | `.obj` + `.mtl`  | Yes      | No            | Yes              | Most common. Include .mtl and texture files in a ZIP.                |
| Stereolithography | `.stl`           | No       | No            | No               | Geometry only. Widely used by 3D printers.                           |
| 3D Manufacturing  | `.3mf`           | Yes      | Yes           | Yes              | Modern format with embedded colors and materials.                    |
| Autodesk FBX      | `.fbx`           | Yes      | No            | Yes              | Common in game and animation workflows.                              |
| Stanford PLY      | `.ply`           | No       | Yes           | No               | Point cloud and mesh format with vertex colors.                      |
| glTF / GLB        | `.gltf`, `.glb`  | Yes      | No            | Yes              | Web standard. GLB bundles textures in one file.                      |
| VRM (VRoid)       | `.vrm`           | Yes      | No            | Yes              | Anime/VTuber character format. See [VRM characters](/models/vrm).    |
| VRML              | `.wrl`           | Yes      | Yes           | Yes              | Legacy 3D web format.                                                |
| DICOM             | `.dcm`, `.dicom` | No       | Yes           | No               | Medical imaging (CT, MRI). See [DICOM medical scans](/models/dicom). |
| LAS / LAZ         | `.las`, `.laz`   | No       | Yes           | No               | LiDAR point clouds. See [LiDAR point clouds](/models/lidar).         |

## Export formats

| Format  | Textures | Colors | Best for                                                           |
| ------- | -------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **OBJ** | Yes      | Yes    | Full-color 3D printing (Mimaki, Stratasys). Universal format.      |
| **STL** | No       | No     | Standard FDM/SLA single-color printing. Most slicer-compatible.    |
| **GLB** | Yes      | Yes    | Sharing, web viewers, AR/VR. Compact single file.                  |
| **3MF** | Yes      | Yes    | Multi-material and full-color printers. Modern recommended format. |

## Archive formats

Upload **ZIP**, **RAR**, **TAR**, **TAR.GZ**, or **TGZ** files and we automatically extract them. We find the 3D files inside along with any associated textures and materials.

<Tip>
  When uploading **OBJ** files, always include the `.mtl` material file and all texture images (`.png`, `.jpg`) in the same ZIP archive. Without these, your model uploads without colors or textures.
</Tip>

<Info>
  **DICOM** uploads open a **DICOM Segmentation** dialog where you define tissue density (Hounsfield) ranges to split the scan into separate 3D parts. Pick a preset (Standard, Head, Simple, or Dense Only) or set custom segments before analysis. See [Uploading files](/models/uploading-files) for details.
</Info>

## Format recommendations

* **For full-color printing** (Mimaki, Stratasys): Upload OBJ+MTL or 3MF. Export as 3MF or OBJ.
* **For single-color printing** (FDM, SLA): Upload any format. Export as STL.
* **For sharing or web viewing**: Export as GLB.
* **For medical data**: Upload DICOM files directly.
* **For terrain/survey data**: Upload LAS or LAZ files.