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
• 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)
• 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 [1]
• 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 [2]
• Vivid scene description (.v)
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• 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

• 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

3D video

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

Links

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.