New 3D file formats for CGI-related applications

New 3D file formats for CGI-related applications

Formats 3D files have been around for a long time. They are used to create 3D models in graphics applications such as 3ds Max, Maya, Blender and Cinema 4D. However, the format has been limited in its capabilities. In as 3D file formats evolved, they adopted new features. Formats these are no longer limited to 3D models. Now they can create new ones data types such as textured surfaces, solids, meshes volumetric and motion paths.

1. Introduction to 3D File Formats

3D file formats for CGI-related applications are very different from the 2D file formats for related applications with CGI:

There are 3D file formats designed for 3D computer graphics and 3D rendering.

There are 3D file formats not intended for 2D computer graphics and 2D rendering.

While 2D file formats are designed for 2D computer graphics and 2D rendering, 3D file formats are not designed for 2D computer graphics and 2D rendering.

3D file formats are used for graphics computer 3D and 3D rendering.

And also, 3D file formats are not used for 2D computer graphics and 2D rendering.

3D file formats are not designed for graphics 2D computer and 2D rendering.

As we can see, it is a real Tower of Babel.

2. What are the 3D file formats?

3D file formats are a way to store 3D models and animations in digital format.

3D file formats are used for many works such as spatial projects, games, animations and films. First The 3D file format was introduced by Alias Systems in 1989. This format is called the Wavefront File Format (Wavefront). This file format was a proprietary format that was used by Alias for their uses. The Wavefront file format was later Released as an open format and is used in many other applications.

3DS

3DS or "3D Studio" is the native file format used by 3ds Max. This format stores mesh data, material attributes, map links group data, lighting settings, viewport configurations and camera positions. In addition, 3DS may store data about the animation of 3D objects. Unfortunately, this format has a limit on the number of polygons in a single file and is considered obsolete. Was it replaced with the MAX 3D format.

3MF

3MF or 3D Manufacturing Format is an open format file mainly used for 3D printing, design, 3D modeling. It is based on XML and contains information about materials and colors — things that are not in the STL format. 3MF is supported by the most popular 3D modeling software of various manufacturers — Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, PTC, Netfabb, Microsoft, SLM, HP, Shapeways, Materialize, 3D Systems, Siemens PLM Software and Stratasys.

COLLADA

COLLADA or "COLLAborative Design Activity" is a 3D file format, which provides file exchange between 3D software and interactive applications. Stores all the data of the 3D model, including its geometry, colors, and materials. Using the open XML schema, COLLADA helps you exchange digital information between 3D programs that usually use completely incompatible formats. COLLADA works great as a format for data exchange from 3D files in 3ds Max, Maya, Lightwave formats, Cinema 4D, SketchUp, Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, modo, Houdini, and even Adobe Photoshop. It is identified with the extension .dae (Digital Asset Exchange) and is most commonly used in Motion CG solutions, video games and the film industry.

MAX

The latest versions of 3ds Max use The new 3D file format MAX. It is also the native format of the 3ds Max software, which stores the complete scene with all its 3D components and elements. It is a closed format and can only be opened directly in 3ds Max. 3DS and MAX formats are most commonly used for work in engineering, architectural creation, interior design, and design 3D products.

OBJ

OBJ is an open 3D file format that is Popular for importing, exporting, and storing objects 3D when moving data between different 3D design applications. It is supported by many 3D software, such as ActCAD, 3ds Max, Maya, Blender, Poser, XSI, MeshLab, Misfit 3D Model, Rhino 3D, Hexagon, CATIA, Modo, Cinema 4D or IntelliCAD etc. OBJ files contain only 3D geometry and are typically used for 3D modeling and the design and design of the 3D printing.

STEPPE

STEP, STP or "Model Data Exchange Standard is a 3D file format that allows you to exchange files between different CAD programs, as well as between software CAD, engineering software and 3D software. STEP is the official international ISO standard, so it is easy to implement and use in most popular CAD programs — ActCAD, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, CATIA, Creo, Draftsight, Fusion 360, GstarCAD, IntelliCAD, SolidWorks, OnShape, PTC TurboCAD. This format works best for projects construction, and engineering, but it can be also used for 3D product modeling.

STL

STL stands for "Standard Tessellation Language" or "Standard Triangle Language" because it uses Multi triangles to create an approximate model mesh. Put simply, to make a 3D file compatible with a 3D printer, it must be encoded and transform its surface into a readable grid. The smaller the There are grid triangles, the better it is for storing information. STL uses the most effective triangle scheme, which is why it is one of the most versatile and versatile file formats 3D for 3D CAD programs. The STL 3D file format is perfect for 3D printing, rapid prototyping of objects and in computer-aided production (CAM).

VRML

VRML stands for "Reality Modeling Language virtual space". It was developed for the World Wide Web and became the first online 3D format in history. VRML stored information about 3D geometry, animations, and scripting. Due to the for their versatility, programmers called VRML files "worlds", and the file format extension was .wrl. However, not all of them 3D software developers accepted this format, so over time it became it has become obsolete and has been replaced by X3D.

X3D

In addition to the features of its ancestor of the VRML format, the X3D file supports geolocation, shaders, multi-stage rendering, and multi-textured. An X3D file displays both 2D and 3D graphical content in different web browsers, such as Chrome, Safari or Firefox, on multiple operating systems — Windows, Mac OS X, Linux. The X3D file format is also compatible with such open source standards as XML, DOM, and Xpath. This format is very popular on the World Wide Web.

3. Benefits of the new 3D file formats

3D file formats such as BVH and OBJ are currently widely used in the industry, and are able to store large data volume. In the past, 3D file formats were not able to store large amounts of data, resulting in data loss during the conversion process. New 3D file formats are able to large amounts of data, which allows for the conversion process without data loss.

4. Conclusion.

3D file formats are a new way to create 3D graphics and animations, as well as 3D models and scenery. Become more and more popular and more and more software will be developed to work with these file formats. 3D file format is typically an XML-based file, which is then converted to a 3D file for use by a 3D application. Are standard and are created by a 3D application working with 3D modeling application. They are not yet widely available, but are becoming more and more popular. There are currently five 3D file formats. The three most common 3D file formats are 3DS, 3MF and OBJ.