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Guide to 3D model formats

Table of Contents

Today, technology dominates the world. Almost in every field technology is used. 3D modelling is commonly used in different industries such as in films, architecture and interior design or animation. Digital design software is very important in the architectural field. People want the latest concept of the blueprint, drawings and physical models. The virtual representations provide more detail of any project.

Professional architects or designers use 3D modelling in their hardware project. 3D modelling is a process to create a mathematical image of a 3D dimensional shape and object. 3D models have become popular in the field of construction because of their extreme benefits. The 3D models are applied for visualising, imitating and making graphic designs. 3D models are composed of different formats which are the best digital tools for websites. If you are inclined to know more about the rendering of the 3D models and designing, you can get information regarding it.

How are 3D models used in construction?

Technology advancements have made our life better and easier. Every sector of the business world is riding a technical bandwagon for the best outcome. The construction industries follow the trail of the same. The fundamental purpose of a 3D file format is to accumulate the information about 3D models as simple text or dual data. They set the 3D model’s geometry, scene and appearance, and animations.

The design of the model describes its shape. The appearance means the textures, colours and material type. Architects and designers take the help of technology to create and experiment with a perfect 3D model format. Today, you won’t find the rolling out of the blueprints in any construction lifecycle.

A large part of the construction world has become digital. Thus, the architectural presentation has changed a lot. Now their works have shifted from draft tables to tablets or desktops.

Different 3D File Formats For Design

Different file formats are applied for producing different designs.

SLDPRT: It is used for making complex CAD designs in the engineering and manufacturing industries. It is the native file of Solidworks.

STEP: STP or STEP format is a popular and neutral file format. It covers up all the information that is needed for producing features, shapes and material properties. 3D modelling software supports it. This format is editable and appropriate for manufacturing.

F3D: It is a default file format in Autodesk Fusion 360. It comprises different information, including scenes, attributes and 3D models also

BLEND: Blender’s has its own file format. It allows storing the data about textures, colours, scenes, animations and 3D models.

3DS: This file format is used in Autodesk 3ds Max. It also has the storage of the information, including animations and designs.

SKP: This file format is used in SketchUp, easy to get to 3D modelling software. It is mainly used for the idea of designs and renders.

 IGS: It is a neutral file format and compatible with 3D modelling software.

 3DM: It is used as the standard format in Grasshopper and Rhino. It is famous for industrial design and mostly used in the architectural industries. Its complex models can be reserved in the 3DM files as simpler meshes or parametric surfaces.

IPT: It is the Autodesk Inventor format. It is similar to the Autodesk Fusion 360 files or Solidworks files. It can save high-quality 3D models. It can work with 2D files.

3D Rendering- the exceptional technique in architecture

Interactive 3D rendering is a necessary part of architecture, especially in building design. Rendering is the most effective communication instrument for making designs. It is a powerful instrument for its interactive features. The customers can enhance the experience for its visual presentations and allow work management and analysis.
There are different techniques used in 3D models. Rasterization is one of the techniques of 3D Models. It is fast and uses 3D real-time engines. Another technique is ray casting. It is used for 3D CAD or CAM image rendering and for solid modelling. Ray casting illustrates the modelled solid objects.

Ray tracing is 3D computer graphics. It is a rendering technique used for showing the image by tracing the brightness as pixels in an image plane and reproducing the effects of its encounters with virtual objects. Rendering the equation is another important technique.

3D Modelling Software – best tool for a graphic designer

The graphic designers can create photorealistic designs and mockups that compel the clients to view them. Graphic designers use 3D modelling software. They enhance their skillset while creating the product’s blueprints and environmental designs. Some of the 3D modelling software is popular ones, such as

  1. Sketchup: Sketchup is easy to use the application, free to download and for the best 3D modelling beginners.
  2. Blender: It is a free 3D modelling application. It has features like animation, sculpting, video editing and photorealistic rendering.
  3. AutoCAD: Autodesk’s AutoCAD is used by graphic and industrial designers, engineers. This 3D modelling application is a versatile and widely-used application tool. Each AutoCAD based product uses this specific file format.
  4. Rhino: It can create mathematically precise models of 3D surfaces. This software is mostly used in products, architecture, graphic designs and multimedia. It is a supported file format and goes perfectly with other formats.
  5. Revit: Autodesk’s Revit is used in architectural design and structural engineering mainly in Building Information Modelling. It has many features that can take you from theoretical sketches to energy analysis along with a lot of collaboration and work sharing capacities. Revit supports a wide range of other file formats.
  6. Wavefront: Wavefront or OBJ is a geometry file format. The graphics application vendors use this 3D modelling software in their workplace.
  7. Grasshopper 3DGH files are the double representation of the same dictionary structure.

How does a 3D model work in real-time rendering?

3D model basically is used to produce an image that is based on three-dimensional data. This data is stored on your computer. With the help of 3D rendering your computer graphics can convert 3D wireframe into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or very close to reality. There are two different types of rendering in 3D.

The main difference lies in the speed at which the images are calculated and processed, that is real-time and pre-rendering or offline. In real-time rendering, process speed plays a vital role. It displays the character’s movement at the speed that the human eye can take as a natural movement.

While 3D real-time products are in development the imaging streamlines make it easier to find whether you have made a mistake in your design and what is needed to fix it. You can see the design in detail and can take a crucial decision based on that.

Advantages of real-time 3D Model

The increasing evidence shows that customers are ready to integrate 3D images into the real world. Market conditions, the interest of the public, and the development of current technology are creating an environment in which real-time 3D rendering software has brought a major development in the manufacturing, and marketing world. You can apply your imagination with potential applications for 3D renderings.

Right from the design phase to the customer interaction, or real-time 3D is changing the outlook of the industries. You can get many formats in real-time 3D. A gITF is a 3D file format, adopted by Google as the format for AR THAT IS Augmented Reality on Android’s Scene Viewer. USDZ is a 3D file format created by Pixer. Apple has adopted its file format for VR and AR application on Ios at Quick Look.

3D rendering in the field of architecture

Visualisation is very important in the field of architecture. The technique of 3D rendering is used for graphical representation of a structure or a 3D model of a structure by using computer animation. The construction planners and the architects manifest their views and it in a clear way.

With the development of technology the architectural visualisation has become easy and can give the customers a real-time view of the structure before its groundwork has started.

3D rendering is a technique used for graphical representation of the structure by using computer animation. You can find a lot of software that is used by architects and designers to make the illustrations in detail.

The customers or the constructors can view the exterior as well as the inner part of the proposed building. But the development of technologies the AR and VR are possible. There are many ways of 3D rendering and other visualisation techniques that offer benefits to the architects and clients also.

There are many benefits you can get from the 3D rendering model.
• See before you build
• Can make changes before the damage
• Utilization of the environment
• Can handle the large project easily
• Can get into the details
• Can make the clients happy
• Can take a leap beyond AR and VR

Thus, there are a number of 3D modelling formats that are used for customers’ benefits. You need to select the right one that will suit you. While you start your project you can share your views with the designers regarding the 3D models.

You can talk about the FBX, MAX, or DCC applications. Some formats are really unique and can select those formats for your benefits. 

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