Common File Formats for Video Game Models & Assets: 3D, Textures, Animation & Data

Video game models use a variety of file formats, depending on the specific game engine and the type of model being created. Here are the most common ones:

3D Model File Formats

• .fbx: Popular and versatile, supporting animation, materials, and rigging. Used by many game engines.
• .obj: Simple and widely supported format for geometry data. Used for basic models and import/export.
• .blend: Blender's native format, offering robust features for modeling, animation, and materials.
• .max: 3ds Max's native format, known for advanced modeling and animation tools.
• .ma / .mb: Maya's native formats, another popular choice for advanced modeling and animation.
• .dae: Collada format, designed for interoperability between different 3D applications.
• .gltf / .glb: Relatively new format gaining popularity, known for efficiency and ease of use.

Texture File Formats

• .png: Lossless format offering good quality and transparency support.
• .jpg / .jpeg: Lossy format known for compression and smaller file sizes.
• .bmp: Basic format, often used for older games or specific texture needs.
• .tga: Older format, still used in some game engines.
• .dds: Optimized for textures in games, offering features like compression and mipmaps.

Animation File Formats

• .fbx: As mentioned above, FBX supports animation data.
• .anim: Format used in some game engines for storing animation data.
• .bvh: Biovision Hierarchy format, commonly used for motion capture data.

Other File Formats

• .mtl: Material Library file, associated with .obj models, defining materials and textures.
• .xml: Extensible Markup Language, used for storing game data and configuration.
• .json: JavaScript Object Notation, used for storing data in a human-readable format.

Important Notes:

• Different game engines have specific preferences and requirements for file formats.
• Model complexity can vary greatly, from simple shapes to highly detailed characters.
• Game developers often use custom tools and workflows for handling model data.

The specific file formats used for a particular game can be found in the game's documentation or on online resources like game engine forums.