Convert VDA-FS to 3MF in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read VDA-FS files and write 3MF, generating the 3MF mesh from the geometry it reads, with tessellation settings your application controls.
Spatial does not offer an online converter or a desktop conversion app. 3D InterOp is a component that software vendors embed in their own products.
- Reads VDA-FS · Writes 3MF
- Exact geometry → triangle mesh
- C++ / C# APIs
VDA-FS to 3MF at a glance
VDA-FS stores exact geometry; 3MF stores triangles. The translation is a tessellation, and the settings you choose decide how close the mesh stays to the original.
| VDA-FS (source) | 3MF (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | VDA surface interface | 3D Manufacturing Format |
| Standard / owner | VDA (German automotive industry) | 3MF Consortium, ISO/IEC 25422 |
| File extensions | .vda | .3mf |
| Geometry | Exact curves and surfaces | Triangle mesh |
| Assemblies / structure | No assembly hierarchy | Objects and build items |
| 3D InterOp support | Read and write | Read and write |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from VDA-FS to 3MF.
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Changes
Geometry is tessellatedThe exact VDA-FS B-Rep is replaced by a triangle mesh, generated by 3D InterOp from the exact geometry it reads. Accuracy depends on the tessellation settings your application uses.
Why software vendors add VDA-FS to 3MF conversion
Additive manufacturing
3MF is still the input most slicers and print services expect. Writing it lets your users send parts to print directly.
Mesh-based processing
Inspection, scan comparison and mesh-editing tools work on triangles. A mesh output gives them a model they can open anywhere.
Lightweight sharing
A mesh is simpler than the native CAD file and needs no CAD system to open.
Things to check before you ship
- Written 3MF versions: 3MF 1.1.
- The 3MF writer is available through the UConnect interface only.
- Supported VDA-FS input: VDA-FS 1.0 to 2.0.
- Test tessellation settings on your heaviest parts: finer meshes mean larger files.
- Validate a sample of translated files in the target system your users actually work with.
Working with Spatial was a real milestone for us: Thanks to the powerful 3DInterOp library, we were able to successfully bring our complex CAD-based solutions to the cloud while remaining flexible to meet individual customer requirements. For us, Spatial is not just a technology partner, but a true enabler of our product strategy.
Dr. Arno Michelis, Founder, Simus Systems
Read the Case StudyAbout the formats
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Source format
What is a VDA-FS (.vda) file?
VDA-FS is a neutral surface-exchange format defined by the German automotive association VDA. It stores exact curves and free-form surfaces, and is still found in automotive supply chains.
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Target format
What is a 3MF (.3mf) file?
3MF is an open format for additive manufacturing, defined by the 3MF Consortium. It stores triangle meshes with units, colors and build information in a single package.
Frequently asked questions
3D InterOp tessellates the geometry it reads from VDA-FS when it writes 3MF. Your application sets the tolerances, so it controls the trade-off between accuracy and file size.
The 3MF writer is available through the 3D InterOp UConnect interface.
No. VDA-FS has no PMI, so only the geometry is translated to 3MF.
3D InterOp reads VDA-FS 1.0 to 2.0.
3D InterOp writes 3MF 1.1.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so 3MF to VDA-FS is supported too.
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Building software that needs to convert VDA-FS to 3MF?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read VDA-FS and write 3MF alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.