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Saving projects as 3MF

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Menu -> File -> Save Project as saves a 3MF file containing all objects, settings, modifiers, and their parameters. It’s essentially a complete snapshot of PrusaSlicer.

When you open a project file on a different computer, it should still produce the same G-code.

We always save project files when we slice something (unless we're 100% sure it's a one-time thing). If you revisit the project later on and want to modify something, it's handy that you can instantly load all the same settings you used when you first printed it. Plus it's the best way to share the model with someone who also owns a Prusa printer.

3MF file format

Unlike an STL file, which only stores the geometry of an object (as a series of surface triangles), a 3MF file can store a variety of different files in a single archive, such as:

  • Multiple models
  • Slicer settings
  • Thumbnail
  • Color
  • Texture
You can change the “.3mf” extension on your 3D model to “.zip,” and see the contents just as you would with a standard Zip file. The file size is also significantly smaller, compared to STL.

Learn more about 3MF here.

 

6 comments

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Brandon
•
Is it possible to set project filename appendages like we can with output filename format? When dealing with historical projects that have been sliced for specific printers, it would be nice to have information automatically included in the project filename.
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Mirabile Visu
•
I've had many years of happy use of Prusaslicer - brilliant program, thank you.
Here's a problem which has recently occured though.
I can slice an STL file, and make many changes to say the number of perimeters, top and bottom layers, infill, and bed temperature.  I export and save the GCode, and it always prints well.  At the same time, I go to "File", then "Save project as" just in case I need to make any future changes.
Unfortunately, when I try to reuse this 3MF project file, I find that all the amendments have disappeared, and the program opens with just the standard print settings.
Any ideas please, as I'm stuck!
Thank you,
Trevor.
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Don
•
I agree with the above statment I did not know how to utlize the features of the .3mf file format.  I was reluctant to use it.  I have two printers and I did not want to have issues if I had sliced a model for my viper and then by mistake printed it on my I3MK3S+.  Now I can see the differance in opening a "Project" as opposed to opening a file as a new fille.  Excellent program with mazimum flexibility.  I will save all of my sliced files as a .3mf from this day forward.  Also I know there is some concern about printing from a project .3mf file donwn-loaded from the internet; however it appears to me that once you have opened the file as a project file, you can look at all of the parameters, such as gcode, printer settings, etc.
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Don
•
I agree with the above statment I did not know how to utlize the features of the .3mf file format.  I was reluctant to use it.  I have two printers and I did not want to have issues if I had sliced a model for my viper and then by mistake printed it on my I3MK3S+.  Now I can see the differance in opening a "Project" as opposed to opening a file as a new fille.  Excellent program with mazimum flexibility.  I will save all of my sliced files as a .3mf from this day forward.  Also I know there is some concern about printing from a project .3mf file donwn-loaded from the internet; however it appears to me that once you have opened the file as a project file, you can look at all of the parameters, such as gcode, printer settings, etc.
Reply
ljhms
•
It seems that the difference of Opening a 3MF in Prusa Slicer vs Importing it is that importing it only grabs the model files and doesn't override any slicer settings. Is this correct? If so, I think you could add a note for it in the manual as it could save people some headaches :) (I seldom want to import any configuration when I grab a model from Printables. But since 3MF can contain them, I have tended to just go for the (on paper) inferior STL option if available untl now.)
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