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From: brian@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Brian Rauchfuss)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: Re: 3D file formats
Message-ID: <17400012@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Oct 89 15:24:26 GMT
References: <764@sys.uea.ac.uk>
Organization: Gremlin Lovers Anonymous
Lines: 23

/ hpfcdj:comp.graphics / cmp7131@sys.uea.ac.uk (M. Plumtree) /  4:16 am  Oct 23, 1989 /

>
>My question is, are there any (reasonably) standard file formats for 3D objects
>out there, and if so, what are there specifications. I am writing a program to
>manipulate 3D objects, and I would like the files I produce to be compatible
>with some standard, for easier interchange.
>

    Well, the US Department of Commerce came up with IGES, a *very* complete
standard for 2-d and 3-d (Do you want to specify Young's modulus for your
quadratic solid?  No problem!).  The specification is 500 pages long, but
fortunately if all you want to do is create IGES files (as opposed to read them
in general and display them), you only have to read a small piece of it.  Try
calling information in Washington D.C.

    If you have ftp access, albanycs.albany.edu has a few 3-d objects and a 3d
specification, but I'm not sure how common that specification is.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Smokefoot              "... never knowing I could shape my life
brian@hpfcbdr.HP.COM         like the artist paints his dreams
                             on a canvas." - Minor Detail