Exporting for 3D Printing

Export your CADit designs as STL or 3MF files for use with 3D printers and slicing software.

Exporting for 3D printing

CADit exports designs in two formats: STL for standard 3D printing and 3MF for multi-color or multi-material prints.

STL export

STL is the standard format for 3D printing. Virtually all slicers and 3D printers support STL files.

To export as STL:

  1. Open the menu
  2. Select Export STL
  3. Choose a location and save the file

STL files contain geometry only. Color and material information is not preserved. Use STL for single-color prints or when working with slicers that do not support 3MF.

The exported file uses the design name as the filename. If the design has no name, the file is named CADit-export.stl.

3MF export

3MF is a modern format that preserves color information from your design. Use 3MF when printing with multi-material printers or when your slicer can use color data to assign materials.

To export as 3MF:

  1. Open the menu
  2. Select Export 3MF
  3. Choose a location and save the file

What 3MF preserves

3MF files exported from CADit include:

  • Shape colors: Each shape's color is preserved and can be mapped to a filament or material in your slicer
  • Model structure: Shapes are organized as components within the file
  • Unit information: Dimensions are stored in millimeters

Multi-color printing workflow

When exporting a design with multiple colors for multi-material printing:

  1. Assign distinct colors to shapes in your design using the color picker
  2. Export as 3MF
  3. Open the 3MF file in your slicer (such as PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, or OrcaSlicer)
  4. The slicer groups shapes by color, allowing you to assign each color to a filament or extruder

Colors in CADit are assigned per shape. Shapes with the same color are grouped together during export, so the number of colors in your design corresponds to the number of materials your slicer will detect.

Choosing a format

ScenarioRecommended format
Single-color printSTL
Multi-color or multi-material print3MF
Slicer does not support 3MFSTL
Sharing files for maximum compatibilitySTL
Need to preserve color assignments3MF

How shapes are exported

When you export, CADit processes all visible 3D shapes:

  • Filled shapes are exported as solid geometry
  • Unfilled shapes (outlines) are given thickness to make them printable
  • Hole shapes (shapes marked as holes) cut through solid shapes that overlap them
  • Doodle Mode layers are processed so that overlapping shapes at different heights do not produce intersecting geometry

The export uses the 3D preview as reference. If a shape is visible in the 3D panel, it will be included in the export.

Tips

  • Preview your design in the 3D panel before exporting to verify the geometry looks correct
  • For multi-color prints, use distinct, contrasting colors to make it easier to assign filaments in your slicer
  • Save your CADit project before exporting so you can make adjustments if needed
  • If your slicer shows unexpected geometry, check for overlapping shapes or shapes marked as holes