# How to handle 3D model that was given to me in DICOM format

**URL:** <https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-handle-3d-model-that-was-given-to-me-in-dicom-format/46438>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [March 12, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-handle-3d-model-that-was-given-to-me-in-dicom-format/46438 "2026-03-12T00:25:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![madsmess](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/madsmess/32/82617_2.png) [@madsmess](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/madsmess)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-handle-3d-model-that-was-given-to-me-in-dicom-format/46438/1 "2026-03-12T00:25:06Z")

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Hi! I was recently given a 3D model from a cardiologist, but it was given to me as a DICOM file. How could I convert/export this model as an STL or other similar format (OBJ, etc.)? I can view it in slicer, although the view is a bit wonky. I didn’t know 3D models could even be saved in DICOM format, and every time I search to find a solution, the only results I get are if you start from images (CT, etc.) then create the model from that. I only have the 3D model, and not the scans that this model was created from. Any advice is appreciated!

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**Author:** ![pieper](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.slicer.org/pieper/32/8_2.png) [@pieper](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/pieper)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-handle-3d-model-that-was-given-to-me-in-dicom-format/46438/2 "2026-03-12T12:16:26Z")

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Maybe you can add a screenshot to help us understand what you are seeing.

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**Author:** ![mikebind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@mikebind](https://discourse.slicer.org/u/mikebind)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://discourse.slicer.org/t/how-to-handle-3d-model-that-was-given-to-me-in-dicom-format/46438/3 "2026-03-17T20:03:25Z")

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Sometimes what is saved to DICOM is essentially a series of screenshots of a model and not actually the data needed to reconstruct the model itself. In this case, it is typically not really feasible to get the STL (building it would be a reconstruction problem rather than a loading problem).