255 catalogued formats
3D Model Formats
3D files are not one format with different extensions. A mesh can be stored as a simple triangle list, a scene with cameras and materials, a printable solid, or a compressed runtime asset for a game engine. The right choice depends on whether the next tool needs geometry only, a full scene, animation, or a watertight model for manufacturing.
Why this format suite matters
- A format that opens in a modeling tool may not be accepted by a 3D printer or a game engine.
- Scene exports can carry cameras, lights, materials, and animation that a simple mesh format cannot store.
- Binary and text variants of the same family can differ significantly in size and software support.
Common formats in this suite
A sample of the catalog. Not every extension has a live converter.
| Format | Extension | MIME | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wavefront OBJ | .obj | model/obj | OBJ 3D model or scene format |
| STL Stereolithography | .stl | application/sla | STL 3D model or scene format |
| FBX 3D | .fbx | application/octet-stream | FBX 3D model or scene format |
| glTF Binary | .glb | model/gltf-binary | GLB 3D model or scene format |
| glTF JSON | .gltf | model/gltf+json | GLTF 3D model or scene format |
| 3ds Max | .3ds | application/octet-stream | 3DS 3D model or scene format |
| Collada | .dae | model/vnd.collada+xml | DAE 3D model or scene format |
| STEP | .step | application/octet-stream | STEP 3D model or scene format |
| IGES | .iges | application/octet-stream | IGES 3D model or scene format |
| Stanford PLY | .ply | application/octet-stream | PLY 3D model or scene format |
| 3D Manufacturing Format | .3mf | application/3mf | 3MF 3D model or scene format |
| Additive Manufacturing | .amf | application/amf+xml | AMF 3D model or scene format |
| 3DA | .3da | application/octet-stream | 3DA 3D model or scene format |
| 3DC | .3dc | application/octet-stream | 3DC 3D model or scene format |
| 3DF | .3df | application/octet-stream | 3DF 3D model or scene format |
| 3DG | .3dg | application/octet-stream | 3DG 3D model or scene format |
| 3DL | .3dl | application/octet-stream | 3DL 3D model or scene format |
| 3DM | .3dm | application/octet-stream | 3DM 3D model or scene format |
| 3DMF | .3dmf | application/octet-stream | 3DMF 3D model or scene format |
| 3DMK | .3dmk | application/octet-stream | 3DMK 3D model or scene format |
| 3DO | .3do | application/octet-stream | 3DO 3D model or scene format |
| 3DON | .3don | application/octet-stream | 3DON 3D model or scene format |
| 3DP | .3dp | application/octet-stream | 3DP 3D model or scene format |
| 3DV | .3dv | application/octet-stream | 3DV 3D model or scene format |
| 3DW | .3dw | application/octet-stream | 3DW 3D model or scene format |
| 3DX | .3dx | application/octet-stream | 3DX 3D model or scene format |
| 3DXML | .3dxml | application/octet-stream | 3DXML 3D model or scene format |
| 4DS | .4ds | application/octet-stream | 4DS 3D model or scene format |
Showing 28 of 255 catalogued formats. Use the converter directory for supported tools.
Common workflows
3D printing
STL and 3MF are common for printable geometry, while OBJ is often used for textured models.
Game and real-time engines
FBX, glTF, and GLB are common exchange formats because they can carry scene and animation data.
CAD and engineering exchange
STEP and IGES are used when precise geometry matters more than a lightweight runtime asset.
Before you convert
Start with the application that must open the result. STL and 3MF are common for printable geometry, while OBJ is often used for textured models. Keep the original file until the output has been opened and checked. A format name alone does not guarantee compatibility, especially for 3d model formats data that may include references, layers, or platform-specific metadata.
- Confirm the source file opens correctly in its original application.
- Identify the exact format and version the destination accepts.
- Keep the source until the converted file has been reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
- Which 3D format should I use for printing?
- STL or 3MF are common choices for printing because they focus on geometry. Check the printer or slicer documentation, and inspect the model for holes before exporting.
- What is the difference between FBX and glTF?
- Both can carry scene data. FBX is widely used in DCC and game pipelines, while glTF and GLB are designed for efficient runtime delivery and modern web viewers.
- Can this site convert every 3D format?
- No. These pages are reference guides. Available converters are linked where the platform has a real implementation; unsupported pairs should not be treated as guaranteed.
- Why did materials disappear after conversion?
- Some formats store only geometry. Materials, textures, and animation require a scene-aware target and a conversion path that preserves those resources.
- What should I check before converting a 3d model formats file?
- Confirm that the source opens in its original application, identify the format the destination requires, and keep an untouched copy. Test one representative file before processing a batch, especially when metadata, links, geometry, or layout matters.