Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What? Community
Questions, answers and tips from people who use the Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What?. Pick the right Onshape export format and settings for printing, laser, CAM, AR, sharing.
Ask a question about Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What?
Anyone can read this page. To ask a question, reply or vote, please log in. It takes under a minute.
Log in to askNo questions yet. Yours can be first.
This page shows only real posts from real people, so it starts empty. The guide below has the questions people most often have about the Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What?. Pick one to start a thread, or write your own.
From the tool guide: common questions about Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What?
The items below are not posts by community members. They come from the written guide for this tool and are here to get a conversation started. Use “Ask a follow-up” to open a thread about any of them.
Which format should I use for 3D printing?
STL is the universal choice; 3MF if your slicer and Onshape offer it. Use millimetres and Fine resolution.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upSTEP or Parasolid?
STEP is the neutral standard; Parasolid is more exact when the receiving CAD is Parasolid-based (SolidWorks, NX).
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upHow do I get a DXF for laser cutting?
Export the sketch or planar face as DXF/DWG, then verify the scale with the DXF⇄SVG converter.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upWhere are the export options?
Right-click a Part Studio tab, a part or an assembly → Export; menu names can vary by release.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upWhat this tool does
Onshape can export to many formats and the best one depends on where the file is going. Pick your goal and this helper recommends the format, the dialog settings that matter (for STL: binary, millimetres, resolution), where to find the export command, what to check after exporting, and which of our free tools to use next — for example converting STEP to STL, checking an STL's watertightness, or turning a sketch DXF into an SVG for a laser cutter.
How to use it, step by step
- Choose what you want to do with the file.
- Read the recommended format and settings.
- Follow the numbered steps in Onshape.
- Use the linked tool to check or convert the result.
Tips from the guide
- STL has no units: always export in millimetres for slicers.
- Use STEP for sharing solids and STL/3MF only for printing.
- Export sketches or planar faces for 2D cutting — not the whole 3D part.
- After exporting, open the file in a viewer to confirm size and orientation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Exporting STL at Coarse resolution and getting faceted holes.
- Sharing an STL when a collaborator needs editable geometry (use STEP/Parasolid).
- Exporting a drawing as an image instead of PDF/DXF.
Who uses it
- Onshape students. Know which format your instructor or slicer needs.
- Makers. Get printable STLs without trial and error.
- Laser/CNC hobbyists. Export faces as DXF at the right scale.
How to ask a question people can answer
A good thread on the Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What? saves everyone time. Start with a title that names the exact problem, such as the input you used, the result you expected and the result you got. A title like “Not working” is hard to answer, while a title with the specifics gets replies quickly.
- Say what you tried. List the steps you followed and any settings you changed, so replies do not repeat what you already did.
- Share a small example. A short sample input and the output you saw is worth more than a long description. Remove anything private first.
- Mention your setup. Your device, browser and whether you are on a phone or a computer can explain many odd results.
- One question per thread. Separate topics get clearer answers and are easier to find later with the search box above.
- Come back and reply. If a suggestion worked, say so and upvote it, and if you found the fix yourself, post it for the next person.
Community rules
Be kind, stay on topic and keep personal data out of your posts. Do not post adult, hateful or illegal content, advertising or repeated links. Every post is shown with its author’s username and date, and posts that break these rules can be hidden by moderators. This space is for help with the Onshape Export Format Helper — Which Format for What? and related tasks, and it is separate from the sitewide discussion forum where broader topics live.