Brush and eraser
A brush suits individual details. An eraser is useful when a selected area needs its earlier appearance restored.
Color for 3D printing
Color editor
PAINT STL FILES 3mf color editor.
Illustrative color preview. Describe an idea above to continue to the 3D studio.
Explore how an STL can become a color-aware 3MF. Plan distinct surface regions, choose a palette and check the finished file in your slicer.
A practical introduction to color regions and 3MF files. Continue to the studio when you are ready to explore its tools.
See a color workflow in action
From plain model to color regions
Illustrative workflow
Explore in your browser
Read the workflow here, then continue to the studio.
Know where your file goes
This page does not request or upload your model.
From model to slicer
A 3MF can carry color assignments for a compatible slicer.
The tools
A color for every region.
From broad surfaces to tiny details, different editing approaches help define a model’s color regions.
Fill by angle
Angle-based selection can cover connected surfaces. Inspect the preview before accepting a broad color change.
Your palette within reach
Choose shades that correspond to your intended materials, then keep their assignments consistent across the model.
Refine when you choose
Check borders between colors, close small gaps and inspect the surface from more than one viewing angle.
Go back a step
Work in small passes so a misplaced color is easier to identify and correct before preparing the file.
Multicolor export
For printing, the exported 3MF and the slicer setup must agree on the intended color and material assignments.
How it works
From a plain file to a painted model.
01
Load the model
Start with a suitable STL or 3MF and check its geometry before assigning colors.
02
Build your palette
Select a manageable set of shades that matches the materials you intend to use.
03
Paint and refine
Define surface regions, inspect their edges and correct any areas that need attention.
04
Check the 3MF
Open the resulting file in a compatible slicer and verify its print settings.
If the original model has overlapping pieces, inspect the geometry separately before coloring. Surface assignments do not automatically split a model into printable parts.
Editor gestures
Simple gestures,
more control.
Brush
Use small strokes for details, then rotate the model to examine your work.
Bucket
A region-filling tool is suited to larger areas; review its selection before confirming.
Eraser
Correct a touched area without planning the entire palette again.
Undo and redo
Review changes as you go, especially around narrow edges and adjacent colors.
The color stays in the file.
A 3MF can store more than an STL: it may retain color and material information alongside the geometry. Check how your chosen slicer reads those assignments before printing.
STL / 3MFColor workflow3MF
In your slicer, confirm the printer, installed materials and spool assignments. An STL alone does not retain these color assignments.
Before you start
Which files should I check?
STL generally describes geometry, while 3MF can also hold color and material data. Check which formats a particular editor and slicer accept.
Do I need to paint the inside?
Surface colors guide the visible result. The slicer determines how compatible assignments become printable regions.
Does coloring split the model into pieces?
No. Assigning surface colors and separating geometry are different operations. Inspect the model if separate physical parts are required.
Where can I explore the studio?
Use the studio link on this page to explore the available 3D tools. Review its current features and file options there before starting a project.
Practical guide
How to paint an STL and prepare a 3MF
STL stores geometry. To preserve color assignments alongside a model, use a compatible 3MF workflow.
- 01
Import and prepare the palette
Begin with your model and choose colors that correspond to the materials you plan to print.
- 02
Paint the surfaces
Work from broad regions toward small details. Inspect the model from several sides and correct its boundaries.
- 03
Check the 3MF in a slicer
Open the file in a compatible slicer. Confirm printer settings, material mapping and spool choices before slicing.
Coloring a surface does not separate a model into pieces. Multicolor printing also depends on your printer, materials and slicer setup.
One shape. Your palette.
Explore the ideas behind coloring a 3D model, then visit the studio to see which tools fit your project.
Explore the 3D studio