F.A.Q: General 3D File Format Conversion Questions

This section provides common answers to issues relating to the import, optimization and export of 3D file formats.

1. When I convert a file I do not get the results I expect. What is happening?
2. What is the best format for importing or exporting 3d data?

1. When I convert a file I do not get the results I expect. What is happening? - Top

If you encounter a problem during a conversion then it is most likely due to the data itself, a limitation of the file formats being used, or in some cases a limitation of the conversion software. Okino specializes in the development of the defacto, reference implementation of each 3D file format so our converters will always do a nice and clean conversion of such data.

For example, the ancient .3ds file format only allows texture map references of 8.3 characters which will end up truncating the references to the filenames on disk. It is also limited to 10 character object names, 16 character material names and the 16-bit 1980's .3ds file format only allows for 64k polygons + vertices per object. Few file formats, however, have such limitations as this example .3ds file format discussion.

If you have a question about converting a file, please send email to support@okino.com and we will provide a very quick and knowledgeable answer. We know 3D file formats at the very low level + all conversion related Q&A.

If you can ZIP up your file which is causing problems then please also email that to support@okino.com (as long as the file is a reasonable size, such as less than 20MB).

- Updated: June 25, 2010

2. What is the best format for importing or exporting 3d data? - Top

This question has no absolute answer. There exists so many 3D file formats because each has benefits to the program or application for which it was developed.

However, there are fixed and well defined answers for the conversion from any source file to any destination file format. That information is kept actively in the mind of Okino's software system architect Robert Lansdale. Please send him an email right now (lansd@okino.com) and he will explain the best way to convert between any 2 software packages or file formats. He will also often explain the history + perspective for such conversions so that you can better appreciate the overall process -- educated customers make for good Okino customers. A simple email discussion will save you from a lot of potential guess work. There is also a lot of misconception in the world of data translation and Robert Lansdale has made it one of his focuses to stamp out such misconceptions.

- Updated: June 25, 2010

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This section provides common answers to issues relating to the import, optimization and export of 3D file formats. 1. When I convert a file I do not get the results I expect. What is happening? 2. What is the best format for importing or exporting 3d data?

1. When I convert a file I do not get the results I expect. What is happening? - Top

If you encounter a problem during a conversion then it is most likely due to the data itself, a limitation of the file formats being used, or in some cases a limitation of the conversion software. Okino specializes in the development of the defacto, reference implementation of each 3D file format so our converters will always do a nice and clean conversion of such data.

For example, the ancient .3ds file format only allows texture map references of 8.3 characters which will end up truncating the references to the filenames on disk. It is also limited to 10 character object names, 16 character material names and the 16-bit 1980's .3ds file format only allows for 64k polygons + vertices per object. Few file formats, however, have such limitations as this example .3ds file format discussion.

If you have a question about converting a file, please send email to support@okino.com and we will provide a very quick and knowledgeable answer. We know 3D file formats at the very low level + all conversion related Q&A.

If you can ZIP up your file which is causing problems then please also email that to support@okino.com (as long as the file is a reasonable size, such as less than 20MB).

- Updated: June 25, 2010

2. What is the best format for importing or exporting 3d data? - Top

This question has no absolute answer. There exists so many 3D file formats because each has benefits to the program or application for which it was developed.

However, there are fixed and well defined answers for the conversion from any source file to any destination file format. That information is kept actively in the mind of Okino's software system architect Robert Lansdale. Please send him an email right now (lansd@okino.com) and he will explain the best way to convert between any 2 software packages or file formats. He will also often explain the history + perspective for such conversions so that you can better appreciate the overall process -- educated customers make for good Okino customers. A simple email discussion will save you from a lot of potential guess work. There is also a lot of misconception in the world of data translation and Robert Lansdale has made it one of his focuses to stamp out such misconceptions.

- Updated: June 25, 2010