Free online 3DM to USDZ converter

What the 3DM format is

3DM is the native file format of Rhinoceros (Rhino), a 3D computer-aided design application used for industrial design, architecture, jewelry, product modeling, and engineering. It stores NURBS curves and surfaces, polygon meshes, solids, layers, blocks, annotations, lights, cameras, and material data.

Rhino creates most 3DM files; MoI 3D and applications based on the openNURBS toolkit can also create or read the format. You typically encounter 3DM when receiving editable Rhino models or exchanging CAD geometry with a designer.

What the USDZ format is

USDZ is a packaged form of Universal Scene Description (USD) intended for portable 3D scenes. It is used by Apple Quick Look, AR-enabled websites and apps, RealityKit, and other software that displays 3D assets without opening a CAD editor.

A USDZ file can contain polygon geometry, transforms, cameras, animations, physically based materials, and embedded image textures. It is convenient for distribution because the scene and its supported resources are delivered as one file, but it does not preserve the full parametric and NURBS editing structure of a 3DM model.

How to convert 3DM to USDZ

Using Rhino

1. Open the .3dm file in Rhino and inspect the model for hidden layers, construction geometry, unwanted objects, and missing textures.
2. Set the document units and model scale before exporting. Incorrect units can make the USDZ object appear extremely small or large in AR viewers.
3. Select only the objects that should be included, then choose File → Export Selected. Use File → Export when the entire document should be converted.
4. Choose USDZ (*.usdz) as the output format and save the file.
5. In the export options, use a mesh density appropriate for the object. Increase the mesh detail for curved or close-up surfaces, but reduce it for mobile delivery to limit file size and rendering cost. Enable texture or material export when those options are available.
6. Open the resulting .usdz file in an Apple Quick Look-compatible viewer or the target application and check scale, orientation, materials, texture paths, and visible surfaces.

USDZ export support depends on the Rhino version and installed file-format components. If USDZ is not listed in the export-format dialog, update Rhino or use the conversion option on 101convert.com, which can convert the file without installing software.

Quality and compatibility limitations

• NURBS are tessellated: USDZ viewers generally receive polygon meshes, so the converted model is no longer an editable Rhino surface or solid. Mesh density controls the balance between curved-surface accuracy and file size.
• CAD features may be lost: Rhino layers, construction history, Grasshopper definitions, dimensions, annotations, advanced procedural materials, and some object types do not have direct USDZ equivalents.
• Materials need verification: USDZ works best with supported physically based materials and embedded image textures. Rhino-specific shaders, procedural textures, decals, and display modes may be simplified or omitted.
• Large scenes can be unsuitable for AR: Excessive polygon counts, high-resolution textures, many separate objects, and deeply detailed CAD assemblies can cause slow loading or poor mobile performance. Remove hidden geometry and simplify meshes before export.
• Check orientation and units: Different applications can interpret up-axis, forward direction, and measurement units differently. Test the file in the same viewer or device used for delivery.