Free online 3MF to DAE converter

A 3MF model may need conversion when a CAD, animation, game, or visualization program accepts COLLADA files but cannot open 3MF. Converting it creates a .dae scene that can be imported and edited in software with COLLADA support.

What the 3MF format is

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) is a ZIP-based package standardized by the 3MF Consortium for additive-manufacturing workflows. Its XML-based parts can contain one or more model meshes, units, object relationships, colors, materials, textures, build information, print settings, and other manufacturing metadata.

3MF files are used by slicers and 3D-printing software such as PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer, Bambu Studio, UltiMaker Cura, and Microsoft 3D Builder, as well as CAD applications including Fusion 360 and SolidWorks. They are commonly created when saving a slicer project, downloading a printable model, or transferring a model to a 3D printer.

What the DAE format is

DAE is the filename extension for COLLADA (COLLAborative Design Activity), an XML-based interchange format for 3D scenes. A DAE file can describe meshes, transformations, object hierarchies, cameras, lights, materials, textures, and animation data.

DAE is useful for exchanging general-purpose 3D content between applications such as Blender, Autodesk Maya, SketchUp, visualization tools, and some game-development pipelines. Its scene hierarchy and animation support are advantages over a simple printing mesh, although COLLADA support varies between applications and is less common in some newer pipelines.

How to convert 3MF to DAE

Using 101convert.com

The built-in converter on 101convert.com can convert a file for free without installing desktop software.

1. Open the 3MF-to-DAE converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .3mf file.
3. Choose DAE or .dae as the output format.
4. Start the conversion and download the resulting file.
5. Open the DAE in the target application and check its scale, orientation, object placement, materials, and textures.

Do not upload confidential or commercially sensitive models unless the service's current file-handling and retention terms meet your requirements.

Using Blender locally

Blender is a suitable desktop option when the installed version provides a 3MF import extension and COLLADA export. The exact extension-management menu depends on the Blender version.

1. Open Blender and check File → Import for a 3MF option. If it is missing, install or enable the compatible 3MF extension through Edit → Preferences → Get Extensions or Edit → Preferences → Add-ons.
2. Choose File → Import → 3MF, select the .3mf file, and import it.
3. Inspect every imported object in the 3D Viewport. Correct orientation, object placement, and scale before exporting; apply transforms only when the destination workflow requires them.
4. Choose File → Export → Collada (Default) (.dae).
5. In the export options, select the required objects, set the forward and up axes for the destination program, and enable texture export when applicable. Save the .dae file.

Blender's 3MF support and COLLADA options can change between releases. If either format is absent, update or install the appropriate extension rather than assuming the file is invalid.

Quality and compatibility limits

• The conversion normally transfers the printable surface geometry, but it does not reproduce the complete manufacturing project. Slicer profiles, layer data, supports, print sequences, printer settings, and most manufacturing metadata are generally discarded.
• A 3MF package may contain several objects, colors, textures, or material assignments. The converter may preserve these as separate scene objects, merge them, omit textures, or replace unsupported materials with basic colors. Verify the result in the destination application.
• 3MF commonly expresses dimensions in millimeters. COLLADA can store unit metadata, but applications do not always interpret it consistently. If the model is 10 or 100 times too large or too small, set the destination scene units and rescale the model before export.
• DAE is text-based and can be larger than binary mesh formats. The conversion may also triangulate geometry, change normals, or discard application-specific shaders and modifiers.
• COLLADA is an interchange format, not a guarantee of identical rendering. Check axis conventions, winding, normals, texture paths, animation support, and material appearance in the receiving program.

Keep the original .3mf package for future printing or editing. The DAE file is a general-purpose scene copy and is not a replacement for the original printable project.