3D and CAD/CAM Models

3D Modeling

 * 3DM - OpenNURBS Initiative 3D Model (used by Rhinoceros 3D) (.3dm)
 * 3DMF - QuickDraw 3D Metafile (.3dmf)
 * 3DS - Legacy 3D Studio Model (.3ds)
 * 3MF - 3D Manufacturing Format
 * AC3D Model (.ac)
 * Adobe PRC (embedded in PDF files)
 * AMF - Additive Manufacturing File Format
 * AN8 - Anim8or Model (.an8)
 * AOI - Art of Illusion Model (.aoi)
 * AWD (Away3D)
 * BLEND - Blender (.blend)
 * Blitz3D Model (.b3d)
 * BLOCK - Blender encrypted blend files (.block)
 * Bob ray tracer scene description
 * BRL-CAD geometry (.g)
 * C4D - Cinema 4D (.c4d)
 * Cal3D - Cal3D (.cal3d)
 * CCP4 - X-ray crystallography voxels (electron density)
 * CFL - Compressed File Library (.cfl)
 * COB - Caligari Object (.cob)
 * CORE3D - Coreona 3D Coreona 3D Virtual File(.core3d)
 * CTM - OpenCTM (.ctm)
 * DAE - COLLADA (.dae)
 * DFF - RenderWare binary stream, commonly used by Grand Theft Auto III-era games as well as other RenderWare titles
 * DKBTrace scene description - DKB Ray Tracer (.dat)
 * Doré Raster
 * dotXSI - Softimage
 * DPM - deepMesh (.dpm)
 * DTS - Torque Game Engine (.dts)
 * EGG - Panda3D Engine
 * FACT - Electric Image (.fac)
 * FBX - Autodesk FBX (.fbx)
 * GLM - Ghoul Mesh (.glm)
 * Imagine Object File (Variety of FORM TDDD)
 * Imagine Texture File
 * JAS - Cheetah 3D file (.jas)
 * LSB - Lightscape scene binary format (.lsb)
 * LightWave Object (.lwo, LWOB, LWLO, LWO2)
 * LightWave Scene (.lws, LWSC)
 * LXO - Luxology Modo (software) file (.lxo)
 * MatCap (.zmt)
 * MAX - Autodesk 3D Studio Max file (.max)
 * Maya scene - Autodesk Maya ASCII or Binary File (.ma, .mb)
 * MD2 - Quake 2 model format (.md2)
 * MD3 - Quake 3 model format (.md3)
 * MDX - Blizzard Entertainment's own model format (.mdx)
 * MESH - New York University(.m)
 * MESH - Meshwork Model (.mesh)
 * MM3D - Misfit Model 3d (.mm3d)
 * NFF - Haines NFF, Neutral File Format
 * NIF - Gamebryo NetImmerse File (.nif)
 * OFF (DEC-WSE Object File Format)
 * OFF (Geomview Object File Format)
 * Outerra engine (.otx) (used in Anteworld game)
 * P3D (PSC) - Pittsburgh Supercomputer Center 3D Metafile
 * POV-Ray scene description - Persistence of Vision Raytracer (.pov)
 * POV-Ray density file - Persistence of Vision Raytracer (.df3)
 * PRT scene description - Parallel Ray Trace
 * QRT Ray Tracer scene description (.qrt)
 * Radiance Scene Description (.rad)
 * Rayshade scene description (.ray)
 * RIB - RenderMan Interface Bytestream / Pixar / 3D Reality
 * RWX - RenderWare Object (.rwx)
 * Sense8 NFF - WorldToolkit Neutral File Format
 * SGI YAODL - Yet Another Object Description Language, Power-Flip Format
 * SGO - Silicon Graphics Object, Showcase
 * SIA - Nevercenter Silo Object (.sia)
 * SIB - Nevercenter Silo Object (.sib)
 * Simply 3D Geometry (.ged)
 * SKP - Google Sketchup file (.skp)
 * SLDASM - SolidWorks Assembly Document (.sldasm)
 * SLDPRT - SolidWorks Part Document (.sldprt)
 * SMD - Valve Studiomdl Data format. (.smd)
 * Softimage SCN
 * SVX - Shapeways voxel format. (.svx)
 * TDDD - Turbo Silver 3D Data Description, T3D
 * TTDDD - Textual TDDD
 * U3D - Universal 3D file format (.u3d)
 * Universal Scene Description - Pixar USD
 * Vivid scene description (.v)
 * VRML - Virtual reality modeling language (.wrl)
 * VTK - Visualization Toolkit (.vtk)
 * VUE - Vue scene file (.vue)
 * Wavefront MTL
 * Wavefront OBJ
 * WINGS - Wings3D (.wings)
 * X (DirectX) - DirectX 3D Model (.x)
 * X3D - Extensible 3D (.x3d)
 * Z3D - Zmodeler (.z3d)

CAD

 * 3dmlw - (3D Markup Language for Web) files
 * 3dxml - Dassault Systemes graphic representation
 * ACP - VA Software VA - Virtual Architecture CAD file
 * AMF - Additive Manufacturing File Format
 * Argon - Ashlar-Vellum (AR) - 3D Modeling
 * ART - ArtCAM model
 * ASC - BRL-CAD Geometry File (old ASCII format)
 * ASM - Solidedge Assembly, Pro/ENGINEER Assembly
 * BIN, BIM - Data Design System DDS-CAD
 * CCC - CopyCAD Curves
 * CCM - CopyCAD Model
 * CCS - CopyCAD Session
 * CAD - CadStd
 * CAD-3D - Antic Software
 * CATDrawing - CATIA V5 Drawing document
 * CATPart - CATIA V5 Part document
 * CATProduct - CATIA V5 Assembly document
 * CATProcess - CATIA V5 Manufacturing document
 * cgr - CATIA V5 graphic representation file
 * CO - Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt - parametric drafting and 3D modeling
 * DRW - Caddie Early version of Caddie drawing - Prior to Caddie changing to DWG
 * DWG - AutoCAD and Open Design Alliance applications
 * DFT - Solidedge Draft
 * DGN - MicroStation design file
 * DGK - Delcam Geometry
 * DMT - Delcam Machining Triangles
 * DXB - Drawing Interchange Binary Format - AutoCAD
 * DXF - Drawing Interchange file format - AutoCAD
 * DWB - VariCAD drawing file
 * DWF - AutoDesk's Web Design Format; AutoCAD & Revit can publish to this format; similar in concept to PDF files; AutoDesk Design Review is the reader
 * Euclid - CAD file format
 * Euclid - CAD/composition file format (Ace Computing)
 * EMB - Wilcom ES Designer Embroidery CAD file
 * ESW - Agtek format
 * EXCELLON - Excellon file
 * EXP - Drawing Express file format
 * FM - FeatureCAM Part File
 * FMZ - FormZ Project file
 * G - BRL-CAD Geometry File
 * Gerber format - RS-274-D, RS-274X
 * GLM - KernelCAD model
 * GRB - T-FLEX CAD File
 * GTC - GRAITEC Advance file format
 * HydroCAD Stormwater Modeling System Unit Hydrograph file (.huh)
 * IAM - Autodesk Inventor Assembly file
 * ICD - IronCAD 2D CAD file
 * IDW - Autodesk Inventor Drawing file
 * IFC - buildingSMART for sharing AEC and FM data
 * IGES - Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
 * Intergraph Standard File Formats
 * IPN - Autodesk Inventor Presentation file
 * IPT - Autodesk Inventor Part file
 * JT (visualization format) - Jupiter Tesselation
 * MCC - Monu-CAD Component (Monument/Headstone Component file)
 * MCD - Monu-CAD Drawing (Monument/Headstone Drawing file)
 * model - CATIA V4 part document
 * OCD - Orienteering Computer Aided Design (OCAD) file
 * OpenSCAD - Solid 3D CAD objects (.scad)
 * PAR - Solidedge Part
 * PIPE - PIPE-FLO Professional Piping system design file
 * PLN - ArchiCad project
 * PRT - NX (recently known as Unigraphics), Pro/ENGINEER Part, CADKEY Part
 * PSM - Solidedge Sheet
 * PSMODEL - PowerSHAPE Model
 * PWI - PowerINSPECT File
 * PYT - Pythagoras File
 * SKP - SketchUp Model
 * RLF - ArtCAM Relief
 * RVT - AutoDesk Revit project files
 * RFA - AutoDesk Revit family files
 * SCDOC - SpaceClaim 3D Part/Assembly
 * SLDASM - SolidWorks Assembly drawing
 * SLDDRW - SolidWorks 2D drawing
 * SLDPRT - SolidWorks 3D part model
 * STEP - Standard for the Exchange of Product model data
 * STL - Stereo Lithographic data format used by various CAD systems and stereo lithographic printing machines. (.stl)
 * TCT - TurboCAD drawing template
 * TCW - TurboCAD for Windows 2D and 3D drawing
 * Thing file - MakerBot (.thing)
 * UNV - I-DEAS I-DEAS (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Software)
 * VC6 - Ashlar-Vellum Graphite - 2D and 3D drafting
 * VLM - Ashlar-Vellum Vellum, Vellum 2D, Vellum Draft, Vellum 3D, DrawingBoard
 * VS - Ashlar-Vellum Vellum Solids
 * WRL - Similar to STL, but includes color. Used by various CAD systems and 3D printing rapid prototyping machines. Also used for VRML models on the web.
 * XE - Ashlar-Vellum Xenon - for Associative 3D Modeling

2D images designed for use in conjunction with 3D models

 * BodyPaint 3D
 * Poser Bump Map
 * Rayshade Heightfield
 * Valve Material Type (.vmt)

Formats related to specialized hardware

 * PowerVR

Motion capture

 * Acclaim ASF/AMC

Image series scanning, microscopy

 * BioRad confocal image - stores series of images generated by microscope scan of 3-D object, used in medical/research imaging
 * MRC (Medical Research Council) - format used in 3D electron microscopy

Stereoscopy

 * JPS
 * Multi-Picture Format - MPO, Multi-Picture Object - This JPEG standard is used for 3d images, as with the Nintendo 3DS
 * QDV - apparently a random-dot-image stereoscopy format

Video formats

 * Side-by-side 3D format
 * Top-and-bottom 3D format
 * SENSIO Hi-Fi 3D format
 * Blu-Ray 3D format

Container formats

 * MK3D

Also see Game data files for game rendering engines (some of which are 3-D).

Software, Utilities, and Development Libraries

 * Konvertor
 * PythonOCC: 3D CAD/CAE/PLM development framework for the Python programming language
 * MS-DOS Shareware: Frostbyte: 3DBENCH

Interesting objects printed with 3D printers

 * 3D-printed semi-automatic gun
 * 3D-printed gun successfully fired
 * 3-D printing in prosthetics
 * 3D-printable artificial fingers
 * Cortex 3D-printed cast
 * 3D-printed personalized Star Trek figurines
 * The 4 worst things people are making with 3D printers
 * 3-D food 'printer' aims to end world hunger, starting with pizza
 * Baby's Life Saved With Groundbreaking 3-D Printed Device That Restored His Breathing
 * Fixing New York City infrastructure with 3D-printed concrete
 * With 3D printing, you’ll be able to replicate the world’s famous sculptures
 * Useful 3D printing -sewing machine jigs & fixtures
 * This Guy Is 3-D Printing a Classic Aston Martin … That Runs
 * Now You Can 3D Print Any MP3 Into A Vinyl Record
 * Making Mars habitable for colonists using 3D printing
 * Crowdfunding a 3D printed, open source hardware robotic/prosthetic hand
 * Blizzident: 3D printed whole-mouth-at-once toothbrush
 * The revolution will not be hand-stitched
 * It’s 3D Printed, and It’s Flexible
 * This is what 3D printed wood looks like
 * 3D-printed hermit crab shells

Related technologies

 * 4D printing (the 4th dimension is time)
 * RepRap: project to build self-replicating 3D printer
 * Forget 3D printing—3D subtraction is going to arrive in your garage first
 * Software makes 3-D models from photographs
 * 6-axis 3D printer can print on irregular surfaces
 * 3D printer within Minecraft game world
 * 3D printer that draws pictures in Jello shooters
 * Open-source hackable 3D printer
 * Edible sugar 3D printer at CES
 * 3D printer that lays down conductive traces as it goes
 * Praying mantises wearing 3D glasses
 * $2k desktop milling machine
 * Quantum Dots to Hinder 3D Printed Counterfeits
 * 3D virtual objects made out of sound

Legal issues

 * EFF: Stop bad 3D printing patents
 * Don't let patents kill 3D printing
 * 3D printing will explode in 2014, thanks to the expiration of key patents
 * The Spies in Your 3D Printer

Other

 * Yobi3D - 3D model search engine
 * Kickstarting a $400 "appliance" 3D printer
 * How 3-D printing will rebuild reality
 * Superman invents 3D printing in 1964!
 * 3-Bee printing: tricking bees into making wax sculptures
 * Kickstarter for Microfactory
 * Free 3D printing encryption tool for your STL mesh files
 * Smithsonian online 3D collection
 * Tiny and Cute Open source 3D printer Smartrap is on Indiegogo
 * 'Made in Africa with e-waste' 3D printer campaign
 * Will 3D Printing Transform The World -- Or Just Fill It With Non-Biodegradable Personalized Junk?
 * The Third Wave, CNC, Stereolithography, and the end of gun control
 * Was the Mona Lisa meant to be 3D?
 * A $250 3-D Printer With Breakthrough Software
 * Untangling the Knot of CAD Preservation
 * Microsoft will reveal info on new 3D printing file format during Build 2015