Supported file types

What we accept, what keeps colors/textures, and how to prepare your files for the best results.

Overview

The Print-Portal accepts three model formats:

  • STL (.stl) — geometry only
  • GLB (.glb) — mesh with materials and textures in one file
  • OBJ (.obj) — geometry with optional MTL and texture images

Upload OBJ in one of two ways:

  • Multi-select all files in the picker (model.obj, model.mtl, textures, …)
  • ZIP bundle containing one OBJ package (see ZIP bundles)

For full-color printing, our recommended path is OBJ + MTL + texture images (prefer PNG). That keeps materials and textures predictable through import and quoting.

OBJ + MTL + textures (recommended)

What to upload

For a textured OBJ you typically have:

  • model.obj (the geometry)
  • model.mtl (material references)
  • one or more texture images (prefer PNG, for example albedo.png)

Upload all of them together — multi-select in the file picker, or pack them in a ZIP (one model per archive).

Folder / naming tips

  • Keep filenames simple (letters, numbers, dashes/underscores).
  • Keep referenced names exactly matching (case-sensitive on some systems).
  • Put all textures next to the OBJ/MTL (same folder) unless your MTL uses subfolders that you also include.

Textures and color

OBJ supports textures via the MTL file. If you want your model to appear with color and detail in the viewer, this is the best path.

For best compatibility, keep textures as PNG whenever possible (including for OBJ and ZIP bundles).

GLB

GLB (.glb) can include materials and textures in a single binary file, but many exporters also embed extra scene content.

Keep it simple (important)

For the Print-Portal, your GLB should contain only:

  • the 3D mesh objects
  • their materials and textures

Avoid exporting extra scene content such as:

  • lights
  • cameras
  • animations / rigs
  • multiple scenes
  • environment maps that are not part of the model’s textures

Keeping the file “model-only” makes importing more reliable and helps avoid unexpected transforms or missing materials.

STL

STL (.stl) is geometry-only. It does not carry:

  • textures
  • materials
  • per-face colors (in a way we can rely on for the portal workflow)

Use STL for quick shape checks, prototypes, or when color is not relevant. For full-color jobs, prefer OBJ + MTL + textures.

ZIP bundles

Use a ZIP when your OBJ model spans multiple files (OBJ + MTL + textures).

Practical rules:

  • Put one model’s files per ZIP.
  • Include exactly one .obj inside the ZIP (plus its .mtl and textures).

If you have multiple separate parts, upload them as separate imports in the project (or one ZIP per part).

Which formats support textures?

Here’s a simple overview:

  • OBJ + MTL + textures: Yes (recommended)
  • GLB: Yes, but keep exports model-only (no lights/scenes/animations)
  • STL: No

Troubleshooting

“My OBJ is gray / textures missing”

  • Make sure you uploaded the MTL file and all textures together (multi-select or ZIP).
  • Check that the MTL references the exact texture filenames.
  • Prefer PNG textures.

“My GLB imports weirdly”

  • Re-export GLB with only meshes + textures.
  • Remove cameras, lights, animations, and extra scenes.

“I selected multiple files and it failed”

When uploading many files at once for OBJ, include exactly one .obj (plus .mtl + textures). If you have more than one OBJ, split them into separate imports (or one ZIP per model).