Best Practices for 3MF Export for 3D Printing

Provided here is a set of guidelines for exporting your KeyShot Studio model to 3MF for 3D printing. For more detailed information, please download the Designing in KeyShot for PolyJet 3D Printing.

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Preparing your Model

  • Make sure the original model resolution (Tessellation) is suitable for 3D printing. Models can appear “smooth” in KeyShot Studio but have faceted surfaces when printed.
  • If you are creating textures using displacement, be sure that the tolerance between a textured part and it’s nearest object is greater than the height of the displaced texture. To correct geometry that is visibly overlapping, simply scale down the part until the texture no longer visibly intersects.
  • If you are using the same KeyShot Studio file for both 3MF export and final image rendering, you may want to create separate Model Sets to manage the materials as some materials are better suited for 3D Print.
  • Specifically, avoid using Translucent or Scattering Medium materials and instead use Plastic, Glass, Gem or Liquid Materials.

Exporting your Model

  • If you have not set your scene measurements inside of KeyShot Studio you can choose a scene unit in the drop-down.
  • Use a DPI that is between 400 to 600.
    • KeyShot Studio applies DPI only to textures, labels and colors.
      • If you do not have textures, labels, or colors, KeyShot Studio ignores the DPI.
    • As a rule, part resolution should be higher than the printer resolution. Currently, the default resolution in KeyShot Studio is 400 DPI.
    • Under 300 DPI the model appearance will be poor.
  • The Number of samples should remain 16.
  • Select whether to prefer Geometry Nodes or Textures.
    • Because of limitations, parts cannot have both Geometry Nodes and Textures applied. Therefore, select the preferred output for these cases.
  • Select whether to use Calculated Depth.
    • If this option is selected, it applies the color to transparent parts according to the thickness of each polygon. It simulates transparency thickness when the core is clear. Clearing this check box results in a faster file export.

Quick Tip