3D and CAD/CAM Models

File Format
Name	3D and CAD/CAM Models
Ontology	Electronic File Formats 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)
• 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

3D video

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).

Links

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