OBJ, FBX or IGES

OBJ and FBX are widely used for exchanging 3D models in various applications, with FBX offering more advanced features like animation and scene data. IGES is an older format primarily used for exchanging CAD data between software applications, although it has mostly been replaced by newer formats like STEP in modern workflows

OBJ is an open, text-based file format for 3D geometry, widely used for exchanging 3D models between different software applications.

It was originally developed by Wavefront Technologies for their Advanced Visualizer software.

OBJ primarily stores 3D geometry information (vertices, normals, and texture coordinates) and can also store material properties using a separate file called MTL (Material Template Library).

It does not support animation, rigging, or advanced shading, making it more suitable for static 3D models.

OBJ is widely supported by many 3D software applications, making it a popular choice for exchanging models when advanced features are not required.

FBX is a proprietary 3D file format developed by Autodesk, commonly used for storing and exchanging 3D models, animations, and scenes.

It can store a wide range of data, including geometry, materials, textures, animations, cameras, lights, and even complete scenes with multiple objects.

FBX supports complex rigging, skinning, and animation data, making it suitable for use in games, movies, and other applications that require animated content.

The format is supported by many 3D software applications and game engines, such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, and 3ds Max.

FBX files can be either binary or ASCII (text-based), with the binary format being more compact and faster to load.

IGES is an older, text-based file format primarily used for exchanging CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) data between different software applications.

Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, IGES was widely adopted for sharing 3D geometry and 2D drawings among various CAD systems.

It primarily stores 3D geometry data, such as curves, surfaces, and wireframes, but does not support materials, textures, or animations.

Due to its age and limitations, IGES is not commonly used for modern 3D modeling and rendering applications. However, it may still be encountered in some industries and workflows involving legacy CAD systems or data exchange with older software.

Many CAD applications, such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, and CATIA, support importing and exporting IGES files, although more modern formats like STEP have largely replaced it for CAD data exchange.