There are three ways to turn a GLB into a 3MF. If the model was made in Figmee, you don't need to convert anything: just save the 3MF directly. If your slicer can open GLB, import it and save the project as 3MF; if it can't, open the GLB in Blender, export it in a 3D-printing format, and then save it as 3MF in your slicer.
Which route you take decides how much of the color survives. This guide assumes you're preparing a GLB of your own original character for 3D printing, and walks through each of the three methods and what to check once the conversion is done.
Note: Figmee currently generates figurine-style images and downloadable 3D model data (GLB / 3MF) from your drawings and illustrations. Physical 3D-printed products are Coming Soon, and you can't order prints directly from Figmee yet.
GLB vs. 3MF: What's the Difference?
GLB is a format for showing and sharing 3D models; 3MF is a format for printing them. Both can carry color, but they were built for different jobs.
| GLB | 3MF | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintained by | Khronos Group (glTF 2.0) | 3MF Consortium (ISO/IEC 25422:2025) |
| Main use | Web display, game engines, exchange between 3D apps | 3D printing |
| Color & textures | Yes | Yes (full color) |
| Print settings & supports | No (it's a display format) | Can be saved with the model |
| Typically opened in | Blender and other glTF-capable 3D apps | Slicers such as PrusaSlicer and Cura |
For a closer look inside each format, see What Is a GLB File? and What Is a 3MF File?, which also compares 3MF with STL. For how GLB fits alongside OBJ, FBX, and STL, see OBJ vs FBX vs STL vs GLB.
Method 1: With Figmee, There's Nothing to Convert
Any work for which you've generated a 3D model in Figmee can be saved as both GLB and 3MF. Saving doesn't cost any extra tokens.
Open "Works" from "Gallery" in the menu, select a work with a generated 3D model, click "Save", and choose "3D print file (3MF)". Figmee's 3MF includes color information and is created at a size where the longest side is 80 mm. You can change the size in your slicer.
Because the 3MF is prepared when you choose it, the download may take a moment to start. Even if you only saved the GLB earlier, you can go back to the same work and save the 3MF, with no conversion step at all.
Method 2: Open It in Your Slicer and Save as 3MF
The major slicers can use 3MF as their project format. Here's what each one's official documentation says (all as of July 2026):
- PrusaSlicer: uses 3MF natively as its project file format (source: Prusa Knowledge Base).
- UltiMaker Cura: lists 3MF among its supported import and export formats (source: UltiMaker).
- Bambu Studio: uses 3MF as its default save format (source: Bambu Lab Wiki).
- OrcaSlicer: uses the extended 3MF inherited from Bambu Studio as its project format (source: OrcaSlicer Wiki).
The catch is that whether a slicer can import GLB directly depends on the software and its version. Check your slicer's official list of supported formats. If GLB is on it, import the GLB and save the project as 3MF. If it isn't, move on to Method 3.
Method 3: Go Through Blender
When your slicer can't read GLB, put Blender, the free 3D software, in the middle. Blender imports glTF 2.0 (.glb / .gltf) out of the box, and the add-on is enabled by default.
Exporting 3MF directly from Blender, on the other hand, is not something we could confirm as a built-in feature. It may require an add-on, so check the official manual for the version you use. The dependable route goes through STL:
- In Blender, choose "File > Import > glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf)" and load the GLB.
- Select the objects you want and export them with "File > Export > Stl (.stl)".
- Open the STL in your slicer and save the project as 3MF.
Going through STL strips out color and textures, because STL can only store shape. The 3MF you end up with on this route is shape-only, so if you want a 3MF with color, use Method 1 or Method 2. For a step-by-step on loading a GLB into Blender, see Prototype in Figmee, Refine in Blender; Blender's STL exporter also has Forward / Up and Scale options worth knowing.
Things to Know Before Using an Online Converter
There are online services that convert GLB without installing anything. For a one-off job they're convenient, but keep these four points in mind:
- Uploading means handing your data to someone else's server. For original characters or unreleased work, check the terms of service, how long files are kept, and whether they're shared with third parties.
- There are often limits on file size or number of conversions. Go past the free tier and you may be blocked or stuck in a long queue.
- How much color survives depends on the service. Always open the result in your slicer and confirm the color is still there.
- You have limited ways to inspect the result. If the orientation or scale is off, you may not notice until later.
3 Things to Check After Converting
Once you have a 3MF, check these three things before you print.
1. Dimensions. As soon as you load the file into your slicer, look at how tall the model is in millimeters. Figmee's 3MF is created with the longest side at 80 mm, so scale it in the slicer to the size you want.
2. Orientation. Make sure the model isn't lying on its side or upside down. If you went through Blender, you can fix orientation with the Forward / Up options in the STL exporter.
3. Whether the mesh is closed. For 3D printing, the model has to be a solid, closed shape. Holes or flipped faces can make the slicer throw errors or print something you didn't intend.
How Much Color Survives?
3MF can define color and materials as part of the standard. But even when the data contains color, how much of it gets read depends on the software. Figmee's 3MF includes color information too, yet how it appears varies by slicer, so check your software's documentation as well.
On top of that, whether you can actually print in full color depends on your printer or print service supporting full-color output. A 3MF with color will still print in a single color on a single-color printer. To get a file ready for your own printer, see Preparing a 3MF File for Your Home 3D Printer.
FAQ
If I convert to 3MF, will it print in color?
3MF can hold color, but that alone doesn't give you a color print. You need both a slicer that handles color and a printer or print service that supports full-color output.
Should I send STL or 3MF?
If the recipient only accepts STL, send STL. If you want color and print settings to arrive intact, 3MF is the better fit. Start by checking whether the recipient or your slicer supports 3MF, then decide.
Can I convert a 3MF back to GLB?
That depends on whether your software can both import 3MF and export GLB, so check its official list of supported formats. A 3MF made by way of STL has no color, so turning it back into GLB won't bring the color back. The safest move is to keep the original GLB; for models made in Figmee, you can save the GLB again from the same work at any time.
Summary
There are three ways to turn a GLB into a 3MF. If the model was made in Figmee, save the 3MF directly with no conversion. If your slicer can read GLB, import it and save the project as 3MF. If it can't, open the GLB in Blender, export STL, and save it as 3MF in your slicer.
The deciding question is whether you need to keep the color. Going through STL loses it, so if you want a 3MF with color, choose Method 1 or Method 2.
Related Guides
- What Is a 3MF File? How It Differs from STL, Supported Software, and When to Use It
- What Is a GLB File? How to Open, Use, and Convert It
- Preparing a 3MF File for Your Home 3D Printer: Slicer Setting Basics
- OBJ vs FBX vs STL vs GLB: How to Choose the Right 3D File Format
- Prototype in Figmee, Refine in Blender: The Complete Guide to Importing GLB Files
