When talking about 3D printing file codecs, it may be simple to suppose that STL is the one one, particularly if you don’t work within the business. However that’s removed from the case. From 3MF to AMF, amongst many others, there are a couple of 3D printing file codecs that exist. However at this time, we need to take a more in-depth take a look at some of the in style: OBJ.
An OBJ (or .obj) file is what is named a geometry definition file format, like STL it’s a mesh file format. It was developed by Wavefront Applied sciences for its Superior Visualizer animation package deal again within the late Eighties. It’s used extensively amongst these working in 3D design and graphics, together with in gaming and digital environments, animation and the movie business, architectural visualization and naturally 3D printing and prototyping. However why would you select this file format over others? What are the advantages of utilizing OBJ for 3D printing?
OBJ information will be obtained from frequent 3D modeling software program like SketchUp
Selecting the OBJ File Format for 3D Printing
After STL information, OBJ are some of the frequent file codecs in additive manufacturing, even when 3MF has additionally gained large reputation. And the explanations for which are fairly easy: it’s extensively appropriate with totally different 3D modeling software program and provides sure benefits over different file sorts. Let’s take a look at how.
So, first issues first, one notable profit is that OBJ information are comparatively simple to learn. In truth, they’re usually in plain textual content, as it’s an ASCII file format, till they should undergo slicers, permitting designers to rapidly see what’s within the file. In truth, for customers which are very technical, they may even edit instantly in a textual content edit. The format can also be extensively accepted in most slicers as talked about above.
Moreover, OBJ information comprise extra info than easy STL information. Extra particularly, with OBJ information it’s attainable to retailer knowledge about shade, texture and materials in addition to extra full geometry info. Shade and texture particularly are more and more essential. Nevertheless, do be aware that a minimum of for texture and shade, a further file, the MTL format, have to be used along with the common OBJ file. Moreover, the flexibility to retailer knowledge on geometries apart from triangles, together with polygons, quadrilaterals, free-form curves and surfaces in OBJ information additionally ends in the storage of extra correct fashions.
OBJ information can comprise extra shapes, together with curves, as in comparison with file codecs like STL (photograph credit: Blender)
However that doesn’t imply that OBJ information would not have their drawbacks. As a result of huge quantity of data contained throughout the information, they are typically sluggish and inefficient. Consequently, each sharing and enhancing will be time-consuming.
Nonetheless, it’s protected to say that OBJ generally is a nice selection for customers engaged on advanced designs or ones the place texture and shade is essential. This leads OBJ to be a preferred format for 3D printing, though in fact that might even be attainable with different file codecs reminiscent of 3MF. An enormous boon contemplating the rising presence of 3D printers the place it’s attainable to print with a number of colours directly.
Use OBJ Recordsdata
Much like STL information, there are additionally platforms the place you’ll be able to obtain OBJ information, for instance TurboSquid, Thingiverse, Printables, Thangs and Free3D. They are often opened and designed on most CAD platforms together with SOLIDWORKS, Fusion 360, Blender and Cinema 4D. They will also be repaired utilizing applications like Meshlab.
Do be aware nevertheless, that in relation to designing a 3D mannequin, simply being an OBJ file doesn’t imply it can robotically be suited to 3D printing. Since these information are sometimes utilized in graphics, there are additionally options that will likely be incompatible with a 3D printer. To make sure that the file will likely be appropriate, maintain primary design for additive manufacturing ideas in thoughts, together with constant normals, water tightness, no non-manifold edges, no very small options and a minimal wall thickness.
For advanced shapes, OBJ information are well-suited (photograph credit: Florida State College)
And there you’ve gotten it! It’s laborious to say which file format is finest for 3D printing, slightly customers ought to be sure that they think about their particular tasks to higher perceive which file format would swimsuit its particular wants. Regardless, it’s protected to say that OBJ information can an fascinating file format for people who need to embody textures and colours and are utilizing slicers incompatible with 3MF. This file format will also be appropriate for artists like recreation designers who change between utilizing the identical mannequin as digital belongings and bodily illustration by 3D printing.
Do you employ OBJ information for 3D printing? Why or why not? Tell us in a remark beneath or on our LinkedIn, Fb, and Twitter pages! Don’t neglect to enroll in our free weekly publication right here for the most recent 3D printing information straight to your inbox! You may also discover all our movies on our YouTube channel.
*Cowl Photograph Credit: Github
