Frequently Asked Questions

What does 3MF Translator do?

It takes a .3mf project saved by one slicer and writes it as a native project for the slicer and printer you choose: plates, objects, filaments and colors, color changes and print settings included, set up with your printer’s own presets. See What it is.

Which slicers are supported?

Bambu Studio, Orca Slicer, Snapmaker Orca, Creality Print, Anycubic Slicer Next, Elegoo Slicer, Flash Studio Desktop (Flashforge), QIDI Studio, PrusaSlicer, QIDISlicer, SuperSlicer and UltiMaker Cura, in both directions: a project saved by any of them translates to any other. It also opens projects from the PrusaSlicer 3.0 alpha.

Can I translate to the same slicer, for a different printer?

Yes. A target can use the slicer the project came from: a Bambu Studio project made for an X1 Carbon, translated for your A1 in Bambu Studio, opens with the A1’s presets and on the A1’s bed.

Do I need the slicers installed?

You need the slicers you translate to, on the same computer. 3MF Translator takes the printer and filament presets from that slicer’s own install, so the project opens with presets your slicer knows. The slicer the project came from doesn’t need to be installed.

Will it work with any 3MF file?

It needs a project saved by one of the twelve slicers, which holds that slicer’s settings. MakerWorld downloads are Bambu Studio projects, and Printables projects are usually PrusaSlicer ones. A 3MF with only the model in it, such as an export from a modeling program, has no slicer settings to translate.

Does it change my original file?

No. Every translation is saved as a new file, and the original stays as it was.

Does it slice or print?

No. It writes the project file your slicer opens. You slice and print from your slicer as usual.

What doesn’t carry over?

Slicers don’t all have the same settings. When a setting has no match in the target slicer, the target’s preset keeps its own value, and Details says how many after each run. Translating to UltiMaker Cura uses Cura’s stock materials, so filament colors don’t carry over to Cura. See What carries over.

What if the project has more colors than my printer has slots?

In Filaments you choose which of the project’s filaments share a slot, recolor them, and drop the ones the project never uses. Until you do, the target warns you which filaments have no slot. See Filaments and printer slots.

Does it work with tool changers?

Yes. Printer Slots follows the printer: one per toolhead on a tool changer such as the Snapmaker U1 or the Prusa XL, the AMS or CFS slots on Bambu Lab and Creality printers, or a single spool.

Can I translate for several printers at once?

Yes: one Translate makes a project for every target in the open group, and several are translated at the same time when your computer has the memory for it. You translate one source project at a time.

Does it send my files anywhere?

No. Your projects and files never leave your computer. The only thing the app sends is a check for updates and news when it starts: the app’s version and your operating system, nothing else. You can turn each check off under Preferences. See Updates and privacy.

What operating systems are supported?

Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), macOS 12 or newer on Apple Silicon and Intel, and Linux (Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, or another distribution with glibc 2.35 or newer). See Install.

What’s included in the purchase?

• 3MF Translator for Windows, macOS and Linux.
• All twelve slicers, both ways.
• Every update released for one year from the date you buy.

How long do I get updates?

Your purchase includes every update released for one year from the date you buy. After that, the version you have keeps working for as long as you like: the license doesn’t expire.

To get newer versions, renew at a discount in the store, at any time. A renewal adds another year of updates, starting when your current year ends, or on the day you renew if it has already ended.

How many computers can I use it on?

Any number of computers you own or control, or that belong to members of your household.

Can I use it for commercial work?

Yes. The license covers personal and commercial use, such as preparing projects for prints you sell or running a print farm.

What’s the latest version?

See the release notes. The app tells you when there’s a new one, and Help → Check for Updates… checks at any time.