Software Alternatives & Startups

Microsoft 3D Builder VS StlFixTool

Compare Microsoft 3D Builder VS StlFixTool and see what are their differences

Microsoft 3D Builder

View, capture, personalize, and print 3D models.

Rating
0 reviews
StlFixTool

Convert and repair 3D and CAD files online — STEP, STL, OBJ, GLB and 3MF. Every job is verified for watertightness and solid count, with a free 3D preview before you pay per file.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $2.99 / Usage

Which is more popular?

3D popularity
92% vs 8%
alternatives listed
223 vs 11

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Microsoft 3D Builder
StlFixTool
Website microsoft.com stlfixtool.com
Pricing —
Freemium Free trial $2.99 / Usage Official pricing
Listed in

About Microsoft 3D Builder and StlFixTool

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Microsoft 3D Builder
StlFixTool

No description of Microsoft 3D Builder yet.

StlFixTool converts and repairs 3D and CAD files in the browser, with no installation and no account. It handles STEP to STL, STL to STEP, OBJ, GLB/glTF and 3MF in both directions, plus mesh repair for holes, non-manifold edges, duplicate faces and inconsistent normals. What separates it from...

Read more about StlFixTool

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Microsoft 3D Builder 7 features
StlFixTool 14 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Microsoft 3D Builder has an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for beginners and non-professional users.
  • Integration with Windows
    As a Microsoft product, 3D Builder is well-integrated with Windows, ensuring smooth performance and compatibility with other Microsoft services.
  • Basic Editing Tools
    The software includes simple editing tools such as scaling, rotating, and texturing, which are sufficient for basic 3D modeling tasks.
  • 3D Printing Support
    3D Builder supports 3D printing, allowing users to easily print their models with minimal hassle.
  • 3D Scanning Functionality
    With the app's 3D scanning function, users can scan real-world objects and create digital 3D models directly from the scanned data.
  • File Format Compatibility
    Supports a range of 3D file formats such as STL, OBJ, and 3MF, making it easier to work with files from different sources.
  • Free of Charge
    Microsoft 3D Builder is available for free, making it an attractive option for those who need a cost-effective 3D modeling solution.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    The software lacks many of the advanced features found in more professional 3D modeling programs, making it less suitable for complex projects.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report performance issues, particularly when working with larger or more complex models.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may still face a learning curve, especially if they're unfamiliar with 3D modeling concepts.
  • Limited Platform Support
    It is only available on Windows, limiting accessibility for users who prefer or need to work on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Basic Texture and Color Options
    The software offers limited options for texturing and coloring models, which may not meet the requirements of users looking for detailed customization.
  • No Animation Features
    Microsoft 3D Builder does not support animation, which is a critical feature for users involved in creating animated 3D models for games or films.
  • Sparse Documentation
    The available documentation and tutorials are somewhat limited, which can hinder users trying to learn or troubleshoot the software.
  • Input formats
    STL, STEP, STP, OBJ, GLB, glTF, 3MF
  • Output formats
    STL, STEP, OBJ, 3MF
  • Pre-payment verification
    Watertightness, manifold edges, solid count and triangle count reported before you pay
  • Free 3D preview
    Inspect the actual converted result in the browser before purchasing
  • Mesh repair
    Holes, non-manifold edges, duplicate and degenerate faces, inconsistent normals
  • Assembly handling
    Solids kept topologically separate, so interface geometry is not lost to vertex welding
  • Viewers
    Free browser viewers for STL, STEP and 3MF
  • Editor
    Free browser STL editor — scale, rotate, mirror, export
  • Maximum file size
    50 MB for STL, 100 MB for STEP
  • Output units
    Millimetres
  • Pricing
    $2.99–$5.99 per file, one-time, no subscription
  • Account
    Not required
  • File Retention
    1 hour if unpurchased, 7 days after purchase
  • Payments
    Processed by Paddle as merchant of record

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Microsoft 3D Builder
StlFixTool

Overall verdict

  • Microsoft 3D Builder is a good choice for beginners or casual users interested in 3D modeling and printing who need a straightforward tool with basic features. However, it may not meet the requirements of professional users seeking advanced design capabilities.

Why this product is good

  • Microsoft 3D Builder is a user-friendly and basic 3D modeling application that allows users to create, edit, and print 3D models with ease. It supports a variety of file formats, offers a library of pre-designed models, and includes tools for viewing, editing, and customizing 3D objects. The integration with Windows makes it easily accessible for users looking for simple 3D printing functionalities.

Recommended for

    Beginners in 3D modeling, educators, hobbyists interested in 3D printing, and Windows users looking for a free and easy-to-use 3D design tool.

No analysis of StlFixTool yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Microsoft 3D Builder 3 videos + Add
StlFixTool 0 videos + Add

Microsoft 3D Builder Overview

More videos

  • - A review of Microsoft 3D Builder 💻
  • - Microsoft 3D Builder: Easiest Program to Edit 3D Files

No StlFixTool videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Microsoft 3D Builder
StlFixTool
92% 92%
3D
8% 8%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CAD
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Microsoft 3D Builder and StlFixTool.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

StlFixTool's answer:

  • Python / FastAPI
  • OpenCascade (OCP) for STEP processing
  • trimesh, numpy, pymeshlab and admesh for mesh analysis and repair
  • Three.js for in-browser 3D viewing
  • Paddle for payments

What makes your product unique?

StlFixTool's answer:

Every conversion is verified before you download it. StlFixTool checks the output against the input (volume, bounding dimensions, watertightness) and shows you the result, including any simplification it applied. It doesn't hand you a file and hope. Multi-part assemblies keep each solid's topology separate, so parts don't get fused or broken at their boundaries. You pay per file, with no subscription and no account plan to cancel.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

StlFixTool's answer:

If you only need one file converted or repaired, you shouldn't need a monthly plan. StlFixTool charges per file ($2.99–$5.99), shows a 3D preview and a verification report before you pay, and outputs in millimetres. The viewers and the STL editor are free. Uploads are deleted automatically: after 1 hour if unpaid, after 7 days once paid.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

StlFixTool's answer:

People who need a 3D file in a different format or a broken mesh fixed, without installing CAD software. That's mostly 3D printing hobbyists and makers turning STEP/3MF/OBJ/GLB files into printable STL, people whose slicer rejects a model as non-manifold or full of holes, and engineers or designers who need an STL turned back into a STEP file for a CAD tool.

What's the story behind your product?

StlFixTool's answer:

StlFixTool started as a simple question: why does converting one CAD file mean a subscription or a desktop install? Building it turned out to be harder than it looked. The worst bug was a vertex-welding step that silently merged points across separate solids in an assembly, which broke closed parts without any visible error. That bug is why every conversion now runs an automatic verification check before delivery. The full write-up is on dev.to: "The vertex weld that silently broke every assembly I converted".

User comments

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Alternatives to Microsoft 3D Builder and StlFixTool

When comparing Microsoft 3D Builder and StlFixTool, you can also consider the following products.