How To Guide: Applying Textures in Formlabs PreForm Software

By Sam Gribben
October 7, 2025
2:00 pm

Discover in this simple to follow, how-to-guide apply your own textures and patterns to parts using Formlabs PreForm software.

Throughout this easy to follow guide, we’ll be using SolidWorks as parametric modelling software of choice, however, any 3D modelling software should be able to re-create the steps shown in the instructions. Don’t have access to 3D CAD software, but want to apply face level textures? We offer processional 3D CAD modelling service, or contact us to find out more.

Source: Formlabs

Step One - Editing the Model in SolidWorks

Open your model in SolidWorks or other CAD modelling software. Once your model is open, select the appearances tab and under ‘Selected Geometry’ choose the option ‘Select Faces’. From here, you need to paint any faces on your model you wish to have a different texture. In this instance, we have painted 8 different faces, 8 different colours for a texture sample part to send to a customer.

If you’re printing your part using the SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) process, we suggest reading our guide on top5 design mistakes to avoid in SLS 3D printing. This helpful guide prepared by our knowledgeable technicians, helps you avoid any potential defects and NC (Non Conformance) parts before applying your textures in later steps.

Step Two - Exporting Your STEP File

Since 2024, Formlabs PreForm software allows native CAD formats to be imported into PreForm software directly. Whilst this is supported by Formlabs, we have notice some conversion errors when programming files and suggest printing sample parts before committing to large quantities using native CAD file formats!

Export your painted part file by clicking; File – Save As – Save As Type and selecting ‘STEP AP214 (*.step,*stp)’

Make sure to click ‘options…’ and under System Options select ‘Export Appearances’. With this option enabled, this ensures that your exported STEP file will contain all appearance data which can be directly imported into Formlabs PreForm software.

Step Three - Importing Your STEP File in Formlabs PreForm Software

Step Four - Applying Your Textures in Formlabs PreForm Software

Once your file is loaded in Formlabs PreForm software, click the ‘Texture’ tool on the left hand tab in the main window. From here it open the dialogue box and present you with options on how you wish to apply your textures. If you have exported your STEP file correctly, the appearances will appear in this texture tool dialogue and give you the option of available faces.

Click the colour face you wish to apply the texture to and select the displacement map. From here you can use Formlabs default displacement maps which offer some pretty funky textures. We recommend for SLS keeping the amplitude at 0.5mm and scaling the displacement texture to suit your desired aesthetic.

Don’t see a displacement texture map you like? You can upload your own displacement maps either downloaded online or generated using AI. Below is a displacement map we downloaded from Google, cropped in Adobe Photoshop and uploaded directly to PreForm Texture tool. We tweaked the scaling to suit the desired effect and applied it to the model ready for printing.

When 3D printing these textured parts, special consideration must be given to the accuracy and level of detail on each plane (x-axis, y-axis and z-axis) as the minimum feature size for SLS on the XY plane is less that on the Z plane and can result in some distortion or loss of detail on texture patterns. It’s recommended to print textured parts on an angled orientation, if you are un-sure then print a small test piece to verify your results.

Want to know more about our SLS 3D printing service or SLA 3D printing service? Get in touch with our team today to discuss finishing and post-processing options to give your parts the best surface finish to suit your application.