Working with files

Print Studio provides many ways to work with model files.

Saving a scene

As you prepare your models for printing, you may want to share it with someone or save work-in-progress for later. Print Studio can save everything in the scene to a 3PS file, including repairs, supports, and all items outside the build volume. Including models and changes, the 3PS file stores the print profile used when the scene was saved. When you're ready to continue preparing the models in that scene, open the saved 3PS file.

Important: If a print profile saved in a 3PS file has changed since last opening that file, a copy of the original print profile is imported. If you open a 3PS file from someone else, that print profile is also imported.

1. Choose File > Save As...
2. Enter a File Name.
3. Click Save.

Exporting one or more models as a single mesh file

After you've imported multiple models and have begun preparing them for printing, you may want to create a mesh file copy of one or all models. You may also want to export a mesh file as a different file format or to create a version to modify or test later. You can export a mesh file from Print Studio as an STL (ASCII or binary), OBJ, or 3MF file.

Due to file format limitations, STL files can't store repairs or supports you've made to models in a scene. To retain these modifications, we recommend either saving the entire scene as a 3PS file or exporting using the 3MF or OBJ file formats.

Important: Print Studio uses the term exporting two different ways. Exporting using either File > Export All or File > Export Selected saves the models as separate mesh files that can be opened in most CAD applications. Exporting at the Preview and Export workflow steps is different. These workflow steps save all items in the build volume as one printable file so it can be printed later. These exported printable files typically can't be opened in CAD applications, only the supported printer.

1. Depending on how many models you want to include in the exported mesh file, use one of the following methods.
   • To export all models in the scene, choose File > Export All...
     Note: If a model is outside the build volume when selecting Export All..., the outside model is placed in the build volume in the resulting mesh file.
   • To export one or more models, select the desired model or models and choose File > Export Selected...
2. Enter a File Name.
3. If necessary, from the Save As Type drop-down list, select the desired file format.
4. Click Save.