File Format Support

DeepInspect3D supports a variety of file formats for 3D models and related data. This guide provides information about each supported format and its use cases.

Primary Model Formats

Format	Extension	Description	Use Case
Polygon File	.ply	Stores 3D data from 3D scanners	3D scans with color and texture information
Point Cloud	.las, .laz	Industry standard for LiDAR data	LiDAR scans and large point cloud datasets
Object File	.obj	General-purpose 3D model format	Models with textures and materials
3D Tiles	.b3dm	Streaming format for large 3D datasets	Optimized web viewing of large models
GL Transmission	.gltf, .glb	Web-friendly 3D visualization format	Interactive web and mobile viewing
Metadata	.json	Supplementary information format	Additional contextual data for models

Specialized Formats

Point Cloud Formats

Format	Extension	Features	Notes
LAS	.las	Industry standard, uncompressed	Large file sizes, complete metadata
LAZ	.laz	Compressed LAS format	Smaller file sizes, identical features to LAS
E57	.e57	Vendor-neutral format	Good for mixed scanner data
XYZ	.xyz	Simple point coordinates	Basic format, limited metadata
PTS	.pts	Leica scanner format	Includes intensity and RGB values

Mesh Model Formats

Format	Extension	Features	Notes
OBJ	.obj	Widely supported	Good for textured models
FBX	.fbx	Autodesk format	Preserves hierarchical structure
STL	.stl	Simple triangle mesh	Good for 3D printing, no textures
3DS	.3ds	Legacy 3D Studio format	Limited by older specifications
COLLADA	.dae	XML-based open standard	Good for exchanging between apps
GLTF/GLB	.gltf, .glb	Modern web standard	Efficient runtime delivery

Web-Optimized Formats

Format	Extension	Features	Benefits
3D Tiles	.b3dm	Hierarchical structure	Streaming large models efficiently
GLTF	.gltf	JSON-based format	Human-readable, web-friendly
GLB	.glb	Binary GLTF	Compact, single-file solution
DRACO	.drc	Compressed meshes	Significantly reduced file sizes

Supporting Formats

Format	Extension	Purpose	Use Case
Texture Maps	.jpg, .png	Surface appearance	Visual model details
Normal Maps	.jpg, .png	Surface detail	Enhanced visual detail without geometry
Material Definitions	.mtl	Surface properties	Defines how surfaces react to light
Metadata	.json	Additional info	Project, location, and inspection data

Upload Requirements

Compressed Formats

Some formats must be uploaded as compressed ZIP files: - OBJ files with their associated MTL and texture files - 3D Tiles folders with their component files - GLTF files with external resources

Size Limitations

• Individual files: Up to 2GB per upload
• Total project storage depends on your subscription plan
• Large point clouds (>500MB) may require optimization

Naming Conventions

• Avoid special characters in filenames
• Use descriptive names that identify the structure
• Include date information for sequential scans
• Follow consistent naming patterns for related files

Format Conversion

DeepInspect3D provides tools to convert between formats: - See the Model Converters section for details - Not all format conversions preserve all data - Point cloud to mesh conversion is lossy but creates more manageable files - Consider your end goals when selecting formats

Best Practices

Goal	Recommended Format	Reason
Accurate measurement	LAS/LAZ point clouds	Preserves precise scan data
Visual inspection	Textured OBJ or GLTF	Good visual quality with manageable size
Web sharing	3D Tiles or GLTF/GLB	Optimized for network transfer and rendering
Long-term archival	E57 or OBJ	Open standards with wide support
VR inspection	Optimized GLTF/GLB	Best performance in VR environments