3D File Format Comparison Explorer¶
Learning Objective¶
Students can compare STL, 3MF, and OBJ across printing-relevant properties and choose the appropriate format for a given workflow.
- Bloom Level: Analyze
- Bloom Verb: compare, differentiate
- Library: p5.js
Preview¶
Specification¶
The full specification below is extracted from Chapter 5: 3D File Formats and Mesh Geometry.
Type: infographic
**sim-id:** file-format-comparison<br/>
**Library:** p5.js<br/>
**Status:** Specified
Purpose: Allow students to explore the capabilities of STL, 3MF, and OBJ side by side through an interactive comparison matrix with expandable detail panels. Bloom Level: Analyze (L4). Bloom Verb: compare and differentiate.
Learning Objective: Students can compare STL, 3MF, and OBJ across printing-relevant properties and choose the appropriate format for a given workflow.
Canvas layout:
- Three "format cards" arranged horizontally (one per format): STL (left), 3MF (center), OBJ (right)
- Each card shows: format name, a format icon (stylized file icon), and 6 property indicators
- Below cards: Detail panel showing full comparison text when a property row is clicked
Property rows (displayed as icon + label + colored dot for each format):
1. Units in file — Red dot STL, Green dot 3MF, Red dot OBJ
2. Color support — Red dot STL, Green dot 3MF, Yellow dot OBJ ("with .mtl file")
3. Multiple objects — Red dot STL, Green dot 3MF, Green dot OBJ
4. Slicer settings — Red dot STL, Green dot 3MF, Red dot OBJ
5. Universal support — Green dot STL, Yellow dot 3MF ("modern slicers"), Yellow dot OBJ
6. File size — Yellow dot STL, Green dot 3MF ("compressed"), Red dot OBJ ("large ASCII")
Color coding for dots: Green = supported/good, Yellow = partial/conditional, Red = not supported/limitation.
Interactivity:
- Clicking any property row highlights that row across all three cards and opens the detail panel
- Detail panel shows: property name, explanation of why it matters for printing, and what each format does
- Clicking a format card header selects that format and shows a summary of its best use cases and known limitations
- Hover state on any card subtly raises it (shadow effect)
Default state: No row selected; overview text shown: "Click any property row to compare how STL, 3MF, and OBJ handle it."
Responsive design: On narrow screens, cards stack vertically. Detail panel always visible below cards.