Opening an MTL File

The MTL file type is primarily associated with Alias.

MTL	File extension: MTL
	File type:	3D material library

What is an MTL file?

MTL files mostly belong to Alias by Autodesk. MTL is predominantly used as a filename extension for 3-dimensional material library files created using Alias or Wavefront's OBJ 3D object file format. 3D object materials with MTL filename extension typically contain ASCII text that describe how colors, textures, illumination, and reflection map of individual materials are applied to surfaces and vertices of 3D objects in a scene or model. Each material in an MTL file is defined in a separate section beginning with the newmtl statement. Links pointing to texture bitmap files for positioning textures may also be found in an MTL 3D materials library file. CAD design software such as Maya, Photoshop, and Cheetah 3D may be used to open such files. Other CAD software such as Creo and CryEngine store 3D materials in MTL files using XML format. Mastercam, a CAM design and analysis software uses MTL file extension to store its mill tool libraries.

How to open an MTL file

You need a suitable software like Alias to open an MTL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MTL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MTL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MTL Text Viewer

Choose your .mtl file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from MTL files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from MTL file or capture a preview screenshot using our online MTL file viewer:

Just click the "Choose your .mtl file to view" button on this page.
Your MTL file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert MTL files:

Alias by Autodesk
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MTL files are often referred to as Alias 3d images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Creo (bill or materials) by PTC
Creo is a suite of CAD software used for product development. Designers and engineers use Creo for schematic design, technical drawing, simulation etc. The Bill of Material (BOM) data consisting of parts and parts-parameters used in a drawing created with Creo are stored in files with MTX extension. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: About Bill of Materials
CryEngine (3D material) by CryTek
CryEngine is a cross-platform game engine for developing console, handheld, and computer video games. This engine has been used in the development of popular games such as Far Cry and Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2. CryEngine stores textures and shader settings for 3D models as materials in MTL files. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: Creating Material Files
Mastercam (mill tool library) by CNC
Mastercam is a computer-aided manufacturing and CAD software package that offers solutions for milling, turning, roughing, wire EDM and design. The program's mill tool library is stored in an MTL file, which is usually in located in the \MILL6\MTOOLS folder. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Mastercam
Maya (3D material library) by Autodesk
Maya is a state-of-the-art 3D modeling and animation tool. It provides expert-level utilities for creating 3D expansive worlds and game/animation characters among other things. MTL files created with Maya contain 3D material definitions used to describe the appearance of the surfaces of a 3D object. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: MTL Files: Material Definitions for OBJ Files, Alias/WaveFront Material (.mtl) File Format
Photoshop (3D material library) by Adobe
Photoshop is a cross-platform raster graphics editor widely used for photo manipulation in different domains of design. The program supports various 2D and 3D graphics file formats including MTL (3D materials library) files. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: MTL Files: Material Definitions for OBJ Files, Alias/WaveFront Material (.mtl) File Format
Tk Solver (MathLook data) by Universal Technical Systems
TK Solver is a Windows-based software for mathematical modeling and problem-solving. The MathLook utility in TK Solver, which is used to display 2D formulas and edit equations stores its files in MTL file extension. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Tk Solver

MTL format details:

Each file has a definite file format, that is, how the stored data is arranged in the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. So a detailed analysis of a file is vital in order to determine the format and the associated program. Our evaluation of the MTL files is as follows:

MTL is one of the most common file extensions and includes various formats for various programs. The two most common formats are as follows:

60% of all MTL files belong to Alias|Wavefront material library. If you open these files in a text editor, you can view and read the content yourself. Most of these files are 170 bytes to 4 KB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. The keywords newmtl, File, Material, 000000, illum, Wavefront and Created are typical for these files. Such files are related to uploads, model, mesh, textured, mario, table, tree, house, scene, audi, lamp and 3D model.
20% of all MTL files are associated with Alias|Wavefront material. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The files are often between 94 bytes and 4 KB in size. Several words can almost always be found in the files, e.g. newmtl and illum. These files are attributed to simplified, materials, ghost, hero, ceea and demo.

All other MTL files (20%) have different formats, often, for example, Crytek XML Material, PTC Creo Material, Source, DOC, XML, material, CryXmlB, WESYS and SUBMATERIAL. Often described as base, face, wall, stone, road, horizon, black, woman or head. You can get all the details of your MTL file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .mtl file to view" above.

Technical Data for MTL File Extension

File classification:

3D Image

Related files:

obj, mlt, zip, mti, max, png, fbx, cgf, stl, rar, 3ds, cga, nmf, tga, dds, glb, cgam, tml, mat, tm2, apf, pix, alias

Mime type:

model/mtl, text/plain, application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Boris.mtl
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Boris FX, Inc.\Boris FX 8.0\BorisFX8 Keyframer.exe

ProgramID: WinCCMTEditor.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SIEMENS\WinCC\bin\CCWINC~1.EXE

an mtl 3D material library is a special file format by Autodesk and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MTL files

Associate the MTL file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open 3d material librarys. Because only the current version supports the latest MTL file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Autodesk manufacturer website after an available Alias update.
To make sure that your MTL file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MTL file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.