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)
 * LFT - 3DS Loft Object
 * SHP - 3DS Shapes File
 * PRJ - 3DS Project File
 * 3D Tiles (OGC Spec)
 * 3MF - 3D Manufacturing Format
 * 4D Paint
 * AC3D Model (.ac)
 * Adobe Aero (.real)
 * Adobe Dimension (.dn)
 * Adobe Dimensions (.dim)
 * Adobe PRC (embedded in PDF files)
 * AMF - Additive Manufacturing File Format
 * Agisoft (.psx, .psz, .oc3, .tls)
 * Anim8or - Anim8or Model (.an8)
 * AOI - Art of Illusion Model (.aoi)
 * AWD (Away3D)
 * BGA (.bga)
 * 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)
 * Caligari trueSpace (.cob, .scn)
 * CCP4 - X-ray crystallography voxels (electron density)
 * CFL - Compressed File Library (.cfl)
 * CORE3D - Unknown format possibly connected with Coreona 3D or Corona 3D (.core3d)
 * OpenCTM - OpenCTM (.ctm)
 * COLLADA - COLLADA (.dae)
 * DKBTrace scene description - DKB Ray Tracer (.dat)
 * DMX model - Valve
 * Doré Raster
 * dotXSI - Softimage
 * DPM - deepMesh (.dpm)
 * DTS - Torque Game Engine (.dts)
 * EGG - Panda3D Engine
 * Euclid - 3D design file format (Ace Computing)
 * FACT - Electric Image (.fac)
 * FBX - Autodesk FBX (.fbx)
 * FMZ - FormZ Project file
 * Fusion 360 (.f3d)
 * GLM - Ghoul Mesh (.glm)
 * glTF (.gltf)
 * IGB - Google Earth 3D model (.igb)
 * Imagine Object File (Variety of FORM TDDD)
 * Imagine Texture File
 * Infini-D (.ids)
 * Instant 3D (.i3d, .e3d)
 * JAS - Cheetah 3D file (.jas)
 * Laubwerk (.lbw)
 * LSB - Lightscape scene binary format (.lsb)
 * LightWave Object (.lwo, LWOB, LWLO, LWO2)
 * LightWave Scene (.lws, LWSC)
 * LXO - Luxology Modo (software) file (.lxo)
 * 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)
 * MD4 - Quake MD4 model format (used in later Quake 3 versions) (.md4)
 * MDX - Blizzard Entertainment's own model format (.mdx)
 * Mesh (NYU) - New York University (.m)
 * MeshLab (.mlp, .mlb)
 * MeshMixer (.mix)
 * Meshwork model (.mesh)
 * MM3D - Misfit Model 3d (.mm3d)
 * MilkShape model (.ms3d)
 * MilkShape ASCII (.txt)
 * Navisworks (.nwd .nwf .nwc)
 * Nexus 3D (.nxz, .nxs)
 * NFF - Haines NFF, Neutral File Format
 * NIF - Gamebryo NetImmerse File (.nif)
 * OFF (DEC-WSE Object File Format)
 * OFF (Geomview Object File Format)
 * OpenSceneGraph (.osg, .osgt)
 * Outerra engine (.otx) (used in Anteworld game)
 * P3D (PSC) - Pittsburgh Supercomputer Center 3D Metafile
 * PLY
 * Poser Scene
 * POV-Ray scene description - Persistence of Vision Raytracer (.pov)
 * POV-Ray density file - Persistence of Vision Raytracer (.df3)
 * PRT scene description - Parallel Ray Trace
 * Ptex
 * QRT Ray Tracer scene description (.qrt)
 * Radiance Scene Description (.rad)
 * Ray Dream (.rd4, .rds, d3d)
 * Rayshade scene description (.ray)
 * ReCap (.rcp, .rcs)
 * RenderWare binary stream file (.dff) -- commonly used by Grand Theft Auto III-era games as well as other RenderWare titles
 * RenderWare object (.rwx)
 * RGE Shining 3D Range File
 * RIB - RenderMan Interface Bytestream / Pixar / 3D Reality
 * 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)
 * Simply 3D (.s3d)
 * SKN/BMF - A 3D mesh format associated with The Sims
 * SKP - Google Sketchup file (.skp)
 * SLDASM - SolidWorks Assembly Document (.sldasm)
 * SLDPRT - SolidWorks Part Document (.sldprt)
 * Softimage SCN
 * Strata 3D (.s3d)
 * Studiomdl Data - Valve (.smd)
 * Substance (.sbs, .sbsar) -- used by Substance family of programs, and found in Substance Source library
 * SVX - Shapeways voxel format. (.svx)
 * TDDD - Turbo Silver 3D Data Description, T3D
 * TTDDD - Textual TDDD
 * U3D - Universal 3D file format (.u3d)
 * IDTF - Intermediate Data Text Format
 * Universal Scene Description - Pixar USD
 * USDZ
 * Vivid scene description (.v)
 * VO (Vector Object Utils)
 * VORT art scene (.scn)
 * 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)
 * Yobj - Yukes 3D Object (.yobj)
 * Z3D - Zmodeler (.z3d)
 * Zbrush MatCap (.zmt)

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
 * ArtiosCAD (.a3d, .ard)
 * ASC - BRL-CAD Geometry File (old ASCII format)
 * ASM - Solid Edge Assembly, Pro/ENGINEER Assembly
 * AutoCAD Slide
 * AutoCAD Slide Library
 * AutoSketch
 * BRL-CAD geometry (.g)
 * CAD-3D - Antic Software
 * CadStd - CAD
 * CATDrawing - CATIA V5 Drawing document
 * CATIA V4 Model - CATIA V4 Model
 * CATIA V4 Project - CATIA V4 Project
 * CATMaterial - CATIA V5 Material
 * CATPart - CATIA V5 Part Description / Model
 * CATProcess - CATIA V5 Manufacturing document
 * CATProduct - CATIA V5 Assembly document
 * CCC - CopyCAD Curves
 * CCM - CopyCAD Model
 * CCS - CopyCAD Session
 * Cell library (.cel)
 * CEX (Caddie Exchange format)
 * cgr - CATIA V5 graphic representation file
 * CKD - KeyCreator (was CADKEY)
 * Cobalt - Ashlar-Vellum (CO) - parametric drafting and 3D modeling
 * CorelCAD
 * DDS-CAD Data Design System (BIM)
 * DFT - Solid Edge Draft
 * DGN - MicroStation design file
 * DGK - Delcam Geometry
 * DMT - Delcam Machining Triangles
 * DRW - Caddie Early version of Caddie drawing - Prior to Caddie changing to DWG
 * DTF - Solid Edge Document
 * DWG - AutoCAD and Open Design Alliance applications
 * DWB - VariCAD drawing file
 * DWF - AutoDesk's Design Web Format; AutoCAD & Revit can publish to this format; similar in concept to PDF files; AutoDesk Design Review is the reader
 * DXB - Drawing Interchange Binary Format - AutoCAD
 * DXF - Drawing Interchange file format - AutoCAD
 * Euclid - CAD file format
 * Euklid - CAD/CAM and Gear CAM
 * EMB - Wilcom ES Designer Embroidery CAD file
 * ESW - Agtek format
 * Excellon drill format
 * EXP - Drawing Express file format
 * FeatureCAM part file (FM)
 * gbXML
 * GDL Script - scripting language used in ARCHICAD (.gdl)
 * 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
 * KeyCAD
 * MakerBot instruction file (for fifth generation MakerBot 3D printers)
 * MCC - Monu-CAD Component (Monument/Headstone Component file)
 * MCD - Monu-CAD Drawing (Monument/Headstone Drawing file)
 * MCP - Monu-CAD Plot (Monument/Headstone Plot file)
 * MTN - Monu-CAD Thumbnail (Monument/Headstone Thumbnail file)
 * OakPDT Drawing
 * OCAD - Orienteering Computer Aided Design (OCAD) file (.ocd)
 * OpenSCAD - Solid 3D CAD objects (.scad)
 * PAR - Solid Edge Part
 * PIPE - PIPE-FLO Professional Piping system design file
 * PLA - ArchiCad archive
 * PLN - ArchiCad project
 * POL - PolyWorks
 * PRT (CADKEY) - became KeyCreator
 * PRT (PTC) - Pro/Engineer, Pro/E Wildfire, Creo Parametric
 * PRT (UG) - Unigraphics, Siemens PLM, NX CAD
 * PSM - Solid Edge Sheet
 * PSMODEL - PowerSHAPE Model
 * PWI - PowerINSPECT File
 * PYT - Pythagoras File
 * Revit - AutoDesk Revit files (RVT, RFA)
 * RLF - ArtCAM Relief
 * S3G - GCode instructions for MakerBot firmware below 7.0
 * SCDOC - SpaceClaim 3D Part/Assembly
 * SKP - SketchUp Model
 * SLDASM - SolidWorks Assembly drawing
 * SLDPRT - SolidWorks 3D part model (had .prt extension earlier)
 * Solid Edge XML design (.cmp_xml)
 * 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)
 * TPL - ARCHICAD Project Template
 * UNV - Universal File Format; used by I-DEAS (Integrated Design and Engineering Analysis Software)
 * VectorWorks
 * VC6 - Ashlar-Vellum Graphite - 2D and 3D drafting
 * VLM - Ashlar-Vellum Vellum, Vellum 2D, Vellum Draft, Vellum 3D, DrawingBoard
 * VS - Ashlar-Vellum Vellum Solids
 * WorraCAD Drawing
 * WRL - The file format of VRML, which is listed in the modeling section above, but also used in CAD/CAM. Similar to STL, but includes color. Used by various CAD systems and 3D printing rapid prototyping machines.
 * X3G - GCode instructions for MakerBot firmware 7.0 and up
 * Xenon - Ashlar-Vellum (XE) - for Associative 3D Modeling

See also Machine Embroidery

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

 * 2DL (ARCHICAD 2D Lines)
 * BodyPaint 3D
 * Poser Bump Map
 * Rayshade Heightfield
 * SLDDRW - SolidWorks 2D drawing
 * Valve Material Type (.vmt)
 * V-Ray

3D animation files

 * BIP (Character Studio)
 * GLA - Ghoul animation (.gla)
 * ROFF - Raven Object File Format / Rotation, Origin File Format

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

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

Container formats

 * MK3D

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

Uncategorized

 * Polycam app data
 * Qlone app data
 * Datron Simpl (.simpl)

Software, Utilities, and Development Libraries

 * AutoCAD
 * 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
 * 3D Crowd is printing face shields in the UK.

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
 * Raytracer program code that fits on a business card
 * Untangling the Knot of CAD Preservation
 * Microsoft will reveal info on new 3D printing file format during Build 2015
 * Smithsonian Open Access: Lots of files released into public domain/CC0, including 3D models.