It looks like the 3MF Consortium is gaining ground in its efforts to establish a common 3D printing file format. The group announced four new members: 3D Systems, Materialise, Siemens PLM Software, and Stratasys.

This consortium is a Joint Development Foundation project formed to define a 3D printing format that will allow design applications to send full-fidelity 3D models to a mix of other applications, platforms, services and printers. The 3MF (for 3D Manufacturing Format) specification eliminates the widespread issues with currently available file formats.

Other members include: Autodesk, Inc; Dassault Systèmes, SA.; FIT AG/netfabb GmbH; HP; Microsoft Corporation; Shapeways, Inc.; and SLM Solutions Group AG. The starting point for the Consortium’s development of the 3MF specification was Microsoft’s donation of its 3D file format work-in-progress.

Leslie Langnau
llangnau@wtwhmedia.com