Saving and Exporting

MatterCAD supports several file formats for saving and exporting your designs. The format you choose depends on how you plan to use the file. The export dialog lists them most-faithful-first: MCX, then 3MF, then STL, then OBJ.

Save Formats

MCX (Native Format)

MCX is MatterCAD’s native file format and the best choice for designs you want to continue editing later. It preserves:

  • The full design tree with all objects and their hierarchy
  • All parameters and settings for each object
  • Boolean operations, arrays, and other operations in editable form
  • Component relationships

Use MCX when: You want to save your work and continue editing it later.

3MF

3MF is the modern replacement for STL, and the best choice when you are leaving MCX behind. It keeps each part in your design as its own object, with its own position and its own colors, in a single compressed file.

Use 3MF when: You want to 3D print a multi-part or multi-color design, or hand it to a slicer that understands more than bare triangles.

STL

STL is the most widely used format for 3D printing. It contains only the final triangle mesh geometry without any design history or parameters.

Use STL when: You want to 3D print your design or share it with someone who does not use MatterCAD.

OBJ

OBJ (Wavefront) is a common 3D format supported by most 3D software. Like STL, it contains mesh geometry only.

Use OBJ when: You need to open your design in other 3D software like Blender or a game engine.

SVG

SVG export creates a 2D vector file from the top-down view of your design. This is useful for laser cutting or CNC routing.

Use SVG when: You need a 2D outline of your design for laser cutting or engraving.

How to Save

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  1. Open the brand menu (the MatterCAD logo in the top-left corner)
  2. Select Save As to choose a location and format
  3. Select the file format from the format dropdown
  4. Choose where to save the file and click Save

Your design is also saved automatically as you work, so you will not lose changes if you close the application.

Tips

  • Always save an MCX copy of your design before exporting to 3MF, STL or OBJ, so you can make changes later
  • STL keeps your objects separate unless you tick Performe Union in the export options, which merges them into a single mesh
  • Holes are applied for you when you export to STL, 3MF or OBJ. None of those formats can say “this shape is a hole”, so MatterCAD subtracts each hole from the parts it overlaps and leaves the hole itself out of the file. Your design is not changed - only the exported copy
  • If you need to share a design with someone who uses MatterCAD, send the MCX file to preserve full editability
  • You can also save designs to your Cloud Library for access from any computer