lib3mf

2.5.0 verified Sat May 09 auth: no python

lib3mf is the official Python binding for the 3D Manufacturing Format (3MF) library, enabling reading, writing, and manipulation of 3MF files. Version 2.5.0 is current. Release cadence is irregular, driven by upstream spec changes.

pip install lib3mf

Common errors

error ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'lib3mf' ↓

cause lib3mf not installed or pip install failed silently due to missing C library.

fix

Install with pip: 'pip install lib3mf'. If that fails, install the 3MF SDK first (see lib3mf.org).

error ImportError: cannot import name 'Model' from 'lib3mf' ↓

cause Attempting to import Model as a top-level attribute, but it is nested within the module.

fix

Use 'import lib3mf' and then 'lib3mf.Model'.

Warnings

breaking Version 2.x uses a completely different API from 1.x. The old functions (e.g., 'createModel', 'loadModel') are removed. You must rewrite code using the new object-oriented API. ↓

fix Refer to official documentation for the 2.x API. Use 'lib3mf.Model()' instead of 'createModel()'.

gotcha The Python package only provides bindings; the actual 3MF library must be installed separately or bundled. On some systems, `pip install lib3mf` may not work without a preinstalled 3MF SDK. ↓

fix Ensure the lib3mf C library is installed (e.g., via system package manager) or use the official binary wheels if available.

Imports

Model
wrong
```
from lib3mf import Model
```
correct
```
import lib3mf
```
Model is a class within the lib3mf module; direct import may fail because the module's __init__.py often doesn't expose submodules directly. Use 'import lib3mf' and then 'lib3mf.Model'.

Quickstart

Prints the version of the underlying lib3mf C++ library and creates a new empty model.

import lib3mf

wrapper = lib3mf.getLibraryVersion()
print('Version', wrapper.getMajor(), wrapper.getMinor(), wrapper.getMicro(), wrapper.getBuild())

model = lib3mf.Model()
print('Model created')