3D Builder

3D Builder for Windows

Repair, edit, split and prepare 3D models without a full CAD suite. Microsoft 3D Builder opens an STL, fixes common mesh errors, resizes and converts files, and gets a model ready to print - through a clean, familiar Windows interface.

Download 3D BuilderView installation guide
Free application Windows 10 & 11 No subscription

Everything 3D Builder does

One focused Windows app for the small but important jobs between downloading a model and sending it to a slicer. Open the model, make the correction, export the result - no heavy CAD project required.

Automatic model repair

Imported models are analyzed for common errors that break slicing or printing. When a repair notice appears, 3D Builder can fix the mesh automatically - the main reason experienced makers keep it installed for downloaded STL files and scans.

Split large models

Cut a model along an adjustable plane and keep one or both sections. Useful when a part is larger than the build volume, needs a better print orientation, or should be assembled from separate pieces.

Merge, intersect & subtract

Boolean operations build new geometry from simple objects. Merge combines meshes, Intersect keeps the shared volume, and Subtract removes one shape from another for holes, channels, recesses and cutouts.

Resize & position precisely

Move, rotate and scale with visual handles or exact numbers, on all axes or proportionally. The Settle command drops an object onto the build plate so it sits flat instead of slightly tilted or floating.

Simplify complex meshes

Reduce the triangle count while keeping the overall shape. Simplification makes heavy scans and over-detailed models easier to edit, export, transfer and slice.

Smooth low-resolution surfaces

Soften visible polygon edges on organic shapes, characters, decorative objects and scans. Best applied carefully - mechanical parts usually need their precise edges and dimensions kept intact.

Hollow solid objects

Create an internal cavity and set a wall thickness to cut resin or filament use, reduce weight and shorten print time. Plan drainage and printer-specific wall requirements before printing.

Add text & images

Emboss or engrave text, symbols and image outlines onto a model - for nameplates, labels, part numbers, trophies, signs and personalized gifts. Text can follow the surface of the object.

Create from basic shapes

Start with cubes, cylinders, spheres, cones and other primitives, then combine or subtract them to build brackets, spacers, holders, adapters and other simple functional parts.

Convert 2D images to 3D

Import a compatible image and generate raised or contoured geometry from its outlines - handy for logos, silhouettes, stamps and relief panels. High-contrast images give the cleanest results.

Who it's for

From a first print to a daily production utility, 3D Builder fits a wide range of people and projects.

Makers & hobbyists

Modify downloaded models without rebuilding them - add a mounting hole, resize a figure, split a print, combine accessories or repair an STL before slicing.

Experienced print operators

Keep 3D Builder as a fast utility between your design software and the slicer, for the times a model needs one quick correction and a full CAD app would only slow you down.

Beginners

Start working with 3D objects through a visual interface - no sketches, constraints, modifier stacks, node graphs or complex workspaces to learn first.

Educators & students

Teach scale, rotation, volume, Boolean operations, mesh structure and additive manufacturing without putting a professional CAD suite between the student and the result.

Miniatures, props & scale models

Split large characters and props, resize models to a target scale, add bases and connection points, and personalize surfaces before printing.

Repair & replacement parts

Make quick dimensional changes, add labels, combine existing components or build simple geometry for household, workshop and organization projects.

Common 3D Builder workflows

Short, repeatable routines for the jobs that come up most. Keep the original file unchanged and export each result as a new copy.

Repair an STL before slicing

  1. Open the STL in 3D Builder.
  2. Let the application analyze the model.
  3. Select the repair notice if an issue is detected.
  4. Inspect the repaired result, then save a new copy.
  5. Open the exported file in your preferred slicer.

Split a model for a smaller printer

  1. Import the model and select the object.
  2. Open the Edit tools and choose Split.
  3. Position and rotate the cutting plane.
  4. Choose to keep one side or both sides.
  5. Export each section as a separate file.

Add a name or label

  1. Open or create the base object.
  2. Select Emboss and enter the text.
  3. Choose raised or engraved geometry.
  4. Adjust depth, size and position.
  5. Apply the change and export the model.

Create a hole or recess

  1. Add a cylinder, cube or other suitable shape.
  2. Resize and position it where material should be removed.
  3. Select the target model and the cutting object.
  4. Choose Subtract and inspect the result.
  5. Repair the model if prompted.

Resize to a target measurement

  1. Select the model and open the Scale controls.
  2. Choose the required unit.
  3. Enter the target dimension.
  4. Keep proportional scaling on unless one axis must change.
  5. Export the resized model under a new filename.

File formats, and where it fits

What 3D Builder reads and writes - and the projects where it shines versus where a heavier tool is the better choice.

3D input

3MFSTLOBJPLYWRL / VRMLglTF

3D export

3MFSTLOBJPLY

Image input

BMPJPGJPEGPNGTGA

For standard single-color printing, STL stays widely compatible. For units, colors, materials and richer manufacturing data, 3MF - co-developed by Microsoft for additive manufacturing - is usually the better choice, and 3D Builder can act as a simple repair-and-convert step into a 3MF package.

Choose 3D Builder for

  • Fast STL repair
  • Simple model creation
  • Splitting and resizing
  • Mesh conversion
  • Text and logo embossing
  • Basic Boolean editing

Choose a full CAD app for

  • Parametric design history
  • Engineering assemblies
  • Constraint-based sketches
  • Manufacturing drawings
  • Complex surface modeling

Choose a sculpting app for

  • Detailed organic sculpting
  • Advanced remeshing
  • Texture painting
  • Retopology and animation
  • Very large or complex meshes

Install 3D Builder on Windows

Microsoft removed 3D Builder from normal Store distribution, so it installs from a direct package through the Windows App Installer. It runs on most modern x64 Windows 10 and 11 PCs.

1.Download the 3D Builder package (.appxbundle) using the button on this page.

2.If the download arrives as a .zip archive, extract it first.

3.Allow app sideloading: open Settings, go to Privacy & security, then For developers, and enable installing apps from any source.

4.Double-click the .appxbundle file to open the Windows App Installer.

5.Review the prompt and choose Install - administrator permission and some Windows runtime dependencies may be required.

6.Launch 3D Builder from the Start menu once installation finishes.

7.Open a test STL or 3MF file to confirm the app is working.

Download 3D Builder for Windows

Free 3D model editing and print preparation for Windows 10 and 11 - no subscription, no account.

App package (.appxbundle) · Windows 10 & 11

Frequently asked questions

What is Microsoft 3D Builder?

Microsoft 3D Builder is a free Windows application for viewing, repairing, editing, creating and converting 3D models. It is especially useful for preparing STL and 3MF files for 3D printing, combining a simple interface with practical tools for automatic mesh repair, splitting, resizing, Boolean operations, embossing, hollowing, smoothing and file conversion.

Is 3D Builder still available from the Microsoft Store?

No - the Microsoft Store no longer installs 3D Builder. The original listing may still appear, but the app can no longer be downloaded or installed from there: Microsoft discontinued it and the older Store-based workarounds have stopped working. A direct installation package is now the way to get it on Windows.

Where can I download 3D Builder?

3D Builder can be downloaded directly from 3dbuilder.cc. This site is dedicated specifically to 3D Builder and provides the app package, installation instructions, compatibility information, practical guides and troubleshooting resources in one place.

Is 3D Builder free?

Yes. 3D Builder was released by Microsoft as a free Windows application. No subscription or recurring payment is required, and an internet connection is not normally needed for its core model-editing and file-conversion features after installation.

Does 3D Builder work on Windows 11?

3D Builder works on many Windows 11 systems when the correct app package and required dependencies are installed. Because it is no longer distributed normally through the Store, installation may use a manual package-based process, and compatibility can vary with the Windows version, system architecture, security settings and installed runtime components.

Does 3D Builder work on Windows 10?

Yes. 3D Builder was designed for the Windows 10 ecosystem and remains compatible with many Windows 10 computers. It may already be installed on some older systems; if it has been removed, it can usually be restored through a direct installation package.

Is 3D Builder available for macOS, Linux, Android or iPhone?

No. There is no official version of Microsoft 3D Builder for macOS, Linux, Android or iOS. It is a Windows application. Running it on another operating system would require a Windows virtual machine, a compatibility layer or a remote Windows PC, and full functionality is not guaranteed.

What can 3D Builder be used for?

Common uses include repairing damaged or non-manifold STL files, splitting large models into printable sections, resizing to exact dimensions, rotating and positioning objects, combining meshes, creating holes with Boolean subtraction, adding raised or engraved text, hollowing solids, reducing polygon count, smoothing surfaces, converting between common 3D formats and building simple objects from basic shapes. It is best when a model needs a focused correction rather than a complete redesign.

Can 3D Builder repair STL files?

Yes. Automatic mesh repair is one of the most valuable features. When 3D Builder detects geometry that may cause slicing or printing problems, it can attempt to fix issues such as open surfaces, invalid triangles or inconsistent geometry. Repair is not guaranteed to preserve every fine detail, so always inspect the result and save it as a separate file before printing.

Can 3D Builder split a model into multiple parts?

Yes. The Split tool cuts a model along an adjustable plane and keeps one or both sections. This helps when a model exceeds the build volume, needs different print orientations, should be assembled from separate pieces, or should be divided to reduce support material.

Which file formats does 3D Builder support?

3D Builder supports widely used 3D formats including STL, 3MF, OBJ, PLY, WRL/VRML and glTF in supported workflows, and it can import common image formats to create simple raised or contoured geometry. Support can vary by version, and materials, textures, units, colors and metadata may not transfer equally between every format.

Is 3D Builder a replacement for professional CAD software?

No. 3D Builder is not intended to replace professional engineering CAD, sculpting or advanced mesh-processing software, and it has no parametric history, constraint systems, assemblies or technical drawings. Its advantage is speed: for repairing an STL, adding text, splitting a model, changing dimensions or a basic Boolean, it is often faster and easier than a larger design suite.

Is 3D Builder suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is one of the more accessible ways to start working with 3D files on Windows. The interface is visual, the main tools are clearly grouped, and many operations can be completed without learning parametric sketches, modifier stacks or node systems. Experienced users often keep it installed as a fast utility for repair and print preparation.

What is 3dbuilder.cc?

3dbuilder.cc is an independent download and documentation resource dedicated to Microsoft 3D Builder. It is not a general software directory; its purpose is to preserve access to one useful Windows app and provide detailed information about installation, compatibility, features, file formats, troubleshooting and real 3D printing workflows.

Is 3dbuilder.cc affiliated with Microsoft?

No. 3dbuilder.cc is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, operated by or sponsored by Microsoft. 3D Builder was developed by Microsoft Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, Microsoft Store and 3D Builder are trademarks of their respective owners. The role of this site is limited to preserving access, documenting the application and helping users install and use it on supported Windows systems.

Keep a useful 3D tool within reach

No complex workspace, no lengthy setup - one focused Windows app to repair a mesh, cut a model into sections, add a label, or convert a file before printing.

Download 3D BuilderInstallation guide

3D Builder is developed by Microsoft Corporation. 3dbuilder.cc is an independent download and documentation resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft. Microsoft, Windows and 3D Builder are trademarks of their respective owners.