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Everything you need to choose the right file format, prepare a model that sells, and understand how Proofly protects your work.

3D file formats explained

Proofly supports STL, GLB, GLTF, OBJ, 3MF, FBX and ZIP packages. Here's when to use each.

STL

Best for: 3D printing

The classic mesh format for FDM/resin printing. Stores raw triangle geometry — no color, no materials. Smallest, most universal print format; every slicer reads it.

GLB / GLTF

Best for: Game & web-ready

Modern format that packs meshes, PBR materials, textures and animation into one file. Ideal for real-time engines, AR/VR and our in-browser viewer.

OBJ

Best for: Universal exchange

Widely supported geometry format, often paired with an .mtl material file. Great for moving models between modeling tools; no animation support.

3MF

Best for: Modern printing

Microsoft's successor to STL. Carries color, materials, multiple objects and print settings in a single compressed package — the cleanest option for color/multi-part prints.

FBX

Best for: Animation & rigging

Rich format for rigged, animated and textured assets. The studio standard for film and game pipelines when you need bones, skinning and scene data.

Tips for creators

Small details that turn a good upload into a model people buy.

Sell with a great cover

Render your model on a clean, contrasting background and show it from its best angle. Listings with a sharp first preview convert far better — it's the first thing buyers judge.

Prepare a clean mesh

Ship watertight, manifold geometry with sane scale and units. Run our AI topology check before publishing to catch holes, flipped normals and non-manifold edges.

Price it right — you keep 100%

Authors keep 100% of the model price on Proofly. Buyers pay a small flat service fee (≈ $1 / 4 zł) on top — so price for the value you deliver, not for our cut. There is no author commission, ever.

How to sell STL files and keep 100%

Sell STL files online and receive every cent of the price you set — no platform commission, ever.

  1. 1

    Upload your model

    Add your STL, GLB, OBJ, 3MF or ZIP file. Our AI topology check flags broken geometry before buyers see it.

  2. 2

    Set your price

    Name any price — you keep 100% of it. Buyers pay a small flat service fee (~$1 / ≈4 zł) on top, which is how Proofly sustains itself without cutting into your earnings.

  3. 3

    Publish & get paid

    Your listing goes live on a marketplace with an in-browser 3D viewer. Every purchase is paid out directly to you via Stripe — no monthly minimums, no waiting periods.

  4. 4

    Track sales & protect your work

    HiddenMark embeds a unique invisible code in each sold copy, so if your file leaks you can trace the source in seconds.

What is HiddenMark™?

HiddenMark is Proofly's mesh passport — a unique code steganographically embedded directly into the geometry of every purchased model. It survives re-exports, format conversions and minor edits, because it lives in the mesh itself rather than in metadata that can be stripped away.

  • Each download is tied to the buyer, so leaked files can be traced back to their source.
  • Verification takes seconds — upload a suspect file and HiddenMark reads the code.
  • It protects authorship without watermarking the visible surface of your model.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers for buyers and creators.

How do I sell STL files online and keep 100% of revenue?

On Proofly you upload your STL, GLB, OBJ, 3MF or ZIP file, set any price you choose, and keep 100% of it. Buyers pay a small flat service fee on top (~$1 / ≈4 zł). There is no percentage commission taken from creators, ever.

What is an STL file?

STL (Standard Tessellation Language) is the most common file format for 3D printing. It stores the surface geometry of a 3D model as a mesh of triangles — no color, materials, or animation. Every slicer and FDM/resin printer software reads STL files.

How do I download 3D models on Proofly?

Browse the marketplace, choose a model, and click Buy. After payment you receive a one-time secure download link for the STL, GLB, OBJ, 3MF or ZIP file.

What is HiddenMark and how does it protect my 3D model?

HiddenMark is Proofly's mesh watermarking system. It embeds a unique invisible code directly into the vertex geometry of each purchased model. Each buyer receives a uniquely marked copy. If a file leaks online, you can verify in seconds which download was shared.

What 3D file formats does Proofly support?

Proofly supports STL, GLB, GLTF, OBJ, 3MF, FBX, and ZIP packages containing any of the above. All models can be previewed in the built-in 3D viewer before purchasing.

Ready to share your work?

Upload a model in any supported format and reach buyers worldwide — you keep 100% of the price.