What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

MIME type: application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml stores 3D model details in XML. It is the backbone of the 3MF file format used in design and manufacturing.

Main use case: 3D printing workflows and manufacturing processes.
Data encapsulation: It holds geometry, colors, textures, and material properties in a structured, XML-based format.
Interoperability: This type helps different CAD tools and printing devices share detailed, consistent model data.
Efficiency: Its design minimizes file complexity compared to older 3D format standards.

More in-depth details can be found at 3MF file format.

Associated file extensions

.3mf

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.3mf

FAQs

What is the primary use of application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml?

This MIME type is used to identify 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) files. It serves as a modern standard for sending full-fidelity 3D models to printers, capable of storing geometry, materials, and color data in a single archive, unlike older formats associated with the .stl extension.

How do I configure Apache to serve .3mf files?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml .3mf. This prevents browsers from misidentifying the file as a generic binary or ZIP file.

How do I add this MIME type to Nginx?

Open your mime.types file or the http block in nginx.conf. Add the entry application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml 3mf;. Reload Nginx to apply the changes so users can download or view the 3D models correctly.

Why does IIS return a 404.3 error when accessing a .3mf file?

IIS does not serve unknown file extensions by default. To fix this, open IIS Manager, navigate to your site's MIME Types feature, and add a new entry with the extension .3mf and the MIME type application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml.

Can web browsers render this MIME type natively?

No, standard web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) do not render this content type natively. To display a .3mf file on a webpage, developers must use JavaScript libraries such as Three.js or specialized WebGL viewers that parse the XML structure.

Is this MIME type related to ZIP files?

Yes, although the MIME type identifies it as a 3D model, the underlying file structure is an Open Packaging Conventions (OPC) ZIP archive. This means you can rename the extension from .3mf to .zip to extract and inspect the internal XML manifests and textures.

How does this MIME type differ from application/sla (STL)?

While application/sla (used for STL files) only describes surface geometry, application/vnd.ms-package.3dmanufacturing-3dmodel+xml is richer and more complex. It includes information about materials, colors, and scale, making it far superior for modern 3D printing workflows that require high fidelity.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.