File formats – 3D data

In 2016, an English-language manual was written about dealing with 3D data, focusing on archeology, by the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI), the Archeology Data Service (ADS) and DANS. This guide is available here: https://guides.archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/g2gp/3d_Toc

No file formats have been developed for the storage and presentation of 3D images/models that can easily be characterized as  “preferred formats”. It is a recognized problem in the world of digital archiving: all kinds of 3D programs use their own file formats, interoperability is limited and conversion to other formats quickly leads to loss of functionality or certain properties of the file.
 3D data is best kept in the original format. In addition, it can be checked whether an export is possible to an open format. For the export format, X3D is the most preferred format. If X3D does not save the 3D model as desired, glTF (version 2.0) or COLLADA .dae are recommended choices. Check the export format to see if the desired properties are stored in it, describe elements that are missing.

For only the geometric objects; without further aspects such as animations and interactivity, WaveFront OBJ is the preferred format. OBJ is a widely supported open format for the representation of 3D geometry. The spatial positions of each point of the object as well as texture coordinates are written in a clear, simple structure.

In addition, consideration can be given to whether it is possible to transfer parts of the data in an alternative way. Although there is no preferred format for an interactive, dynamic 3D model, there may be preferred formats for certain elements of the whole: are, for example, movies (screencasts) or static images suitable for displaying certain information?

 

 

Preferred formats

Non-preferred formats

© DANS. R.5.5.T.16 Version 2.0, December 05, 2024