COLLADA

COLLADA is a popular open file format for storing 3D meshed models. It is based on XML. COLLADA stands for COLLAborative Design Activity and is designed to be an interchange file format for 3D applications. It is managed by the nonprofit technology consortium, the Khronos Group, and has been adopted by ISO as a publicly available specification, ISO/PAS 17506. COLLADA defines an open standard XML schema for exchanging digital assets.

File Information

 * DAE Are XML based with  root tag documented by http://www.collada.org/2005/11/COLLADASchema.
 * ZAE Are ZIP compressed DAE files which also includes a manifest.xml and PNG thumbnail.

Specifications

 * Khronos Group Collada XML Spec

Libraries

 * C++: OpenCOLLADA
 * C++: Open Asset Import Library
 * C#: SlimDX Collada Loader
 * C#: csharpcollada
 * C++: COLLADA DOM
 * C++: FCollada
 * Python: pycollada
 * Obj-C: Scene Kit
 * JS: GLGE]
 * JS: Three.js
 * JS: StormEngineC

Editor Software

 * ArtiosCAD
 * Blender
 * Bryce
 * Carrara
 * Cheddar Cheese Press (model processor)
 * Chief Architect Software
 * Cinema 4D (MAXON)
 * CityEngine
 * Clara.io
 * DAZ Studio
 * E-on Vue 9 xStream
 * FreeCAD
 * FormZ
 * Houdini (software)|Houdini
 * iBooks Author
 * LightWave 3D (v 9.5)
 * MakeHuman
 * MeshLab
 * modo (software)|Modo
 * OpenRAVE
 * Poser Pro (v 7.0)
 * Robot Operating System
 * Shade 3D (E Frontier, Mirye)
 * SketchUp (exports KMZ which contains COLLADA)
 * Softimage XSI
 * Strata 3D
 * Vectorworks
 * Visual3D Game Engine
 * Wings 3D
 * Xcode (v 4.4+)
 * ArcGIS
 * Autodesk InfraWorks
 * Chief Architect
 * EON Professional
 * Google Earth (v 4) – drag and drop a COLLADA file on top of the virtual Earth
 * JanusVR
 * Kerbal Space Program
 * Maple (3D plots can be exported to COLLADA)
 * Open Wonderland
 * OpenSimulator
 * Mac OS X 10.6's Preview (Mac OS)|Preview
 * NASA World Wind
 * SAP Visual Enterprise Author – supports import and export .dae files.
 * Second Life
 * SketchUp - import .dae files.
 * Systems Tool Kit (STK) - utilizes .dae files for 3d models
 * TNTmips

Plugins

 * 3ds Max: ColladaMaya
 * Maya: ColladaMax

Game Engines

 * Ardor3D
 * Blender Game Engine
 * C4 Engine
 * CryEngine 2
 * EON Studio
 * FireMonkey
 * GamePlay
 * Godot
 * GLGE
 * Irrlicht Engine
 * OpenSimulator
 * Panda3d
 * SceneKit
 * ShiVa
 * Spring
 * Torque
 * Turbulenz
 * Unigine
 * Unity
 * Unreal Engine
 * Vanda Engine
 * Visual3D Game Engine
 * Neoaxis 3d Game Engine
 * HPL Engine 1

Links

 * Collada Files Simply Explained