OBJ File Format's 'Net Worth' In 2024: Still A Player In 3D Graphics?

When we talk about the "net worth" of something, we usually think about money, right? But what about the value of a foundational piece of technology? In the world of 3D graphics, the OBJ file format, a true veteran, has been around for ages. It's almost like a quiet workhorse, always there in the background. So, in 2024, what is its true standing? Does it still hold significant value, or has it faded into obscurity? This article looks at its current relevance.

The OBJ file, or Wavefront Object format, is actually an old format. It came from the Alias Wavefront days, originally for their Advanced Visualizer animation package. Over time, it just became standard for moving object data between different applications. You know, like a common language for 3D models. It's a plain text file, which is pretty cool, meaning you can open and even edit it with a simple text editor. This open nature has definitely helped its longevity.

This discussion isn't about financial figures for a person, obviously. Instead, we're exploring the enduring utility, the strengths, and the limitations of the OBJ file format in today's fast-paced 3D landscape. We'll look at why it's still used, where it falls short, and how it compares to other formats. This will give us a good sense of its metaphorical "net worth" or value in the current year.

Table of Contents

• What Exactly is an OBJ File?
• OBJ's Enduring Legacy: Why It's Still Around
• The "Net Worth" of OBJ in 2024: Its Strengths
• Challenges and Limitations: Where OBJ Shows Its Age
• OBJ vs. STL: A Look at the Basics
• Working with OBJ Files Today
• The Future of OBJ: What's Next?

What Exactly is an OBJ File?

An OBJ file, which is short for object file, is a 3D model file format. It's used by many different 3D modeling software programs to show an object or its geometry. This is a universal format that can be exported and imported, which is pretty handy. It is an open file format, and other programs have adopted it over the years, too.

Essentially, an OBJ file is a plain text file. This means it has information about the geometry of a 3D object. It's one of the most widely used file formats for 3D modeling and rendering. This is because it helps with the backward and forward transmission of geometric data, which is actually very important for workflows.

It's actually the Wavefront Object format, a name that reflects its origins. When you import an OBJ, an MTL file of the same name in the same folder is also imported. You get material assignments, but not much more, really. You might get base color textures, which is a start, anyway.

OBJ's Enduring Legacy: Why It's Still Around

OBJ was a good exchange format in the late 90s, and in some respects, it still holds its own. It ended up becoming standard to use it to transform object data between applications. This means many programs understand it, which makes it quite versatile. It's a fundamental building block in the world of 3D graphics, you know.

Think of it as a blueprint for a 3D object. It's a simple, yet powerful, format used to represent 3D geometry. Even though it's basic in its nature and not particularly powerful or efficient, it has found a lasting place. Its simplicity is arguably its biggest strength, allowing for wide compatibility.

The fact that it's an open format helps a lot, too. This means anyone can use it without special licenses, which encourages its widespread adoption. So, its "net worth" comes from its accessibility and its long history as a reliable data carrier. Many artists and designers still turn to it for basic model exchange, which is interesting.

The "Net Worth" of OBJ in 2024: Its Strengths

The "net worth" of OBJ in 2024 really comes from its continued usefulness in specific situations. As several people already mentioned, STL is just as open as OBJ. In terms of complexity, OBJ is not significantly more complex than STL for the same use case. This makes it easy to work with for many basic tasks.

When you import an OBJ, you get material assignments. This is useful for quickly getting a model with some basic appearance. You might get base color textures, too. This means less setup time for simple visualizations, which is a plus. Its plain text nature also means it's incredibly easy to debug or even manually adjust if you need to.

An OBJ file viewer is a powerful 3D model viewer that lets you easily open and view OBJ files, as well as other popular 3D file formats. With its intuitive interface and advanced features, you can just view your models. This ease of viewing and opening is a huge benefit, making it a go-to for quick checks and sharing.

Challenges and Limitations: Where OBJ Shows Its Age

While OBJ has its good points, it's not really appropriate with today's polygon counts. It was a good exchange format in the late 90s, but modern 3D models often have millions or even billions of polygons. OBJ files can become very large and slow to process with such high detail, which is a problem for complex scenes.

You get material assignments but not much more, which can be a limitation. For instance, it doesn't store advanced material properties like reflections, refractions, or complex shaders. This means you often lose a lot of visual information when exporting from one program and importing into another using OBJ. That's a lot to unpack here, actually.

I don't know about the current state, but when I looked into using FBX, it seemed to handle more. OBJ is more of a bare bones mesh structure only, unlike formats that carry animation, rigging, or complex scene data. So, for full scene exchange, it often falls short, which is something to consider.

OBJ vs. STL: A Look at the Basics

From what I understand, an OBJ file stores more information than an STL. However, a lot of that extra information isn't all that helpful when it comes to 3D printing. STL is a bare bones mesh structure only, which is why it's so popular for 3D printing. It just focuses on the surface geometry, which is often all you need.

The other commenters are correct in saying that you get different levels of detail. STL is very simple, representing a 3D model as a collection of triangles. OBJ, on the other hand, can store vertex normals, texture coordinates, and material references. This means it can carry more visual information, but it's still not everything.

For the same use case, OBJ is not significantly more complex than STL. Both are open formats, so they are widely supported. If you're just looking to get a mesh into a program, either can work. But if you want basic color or material assignments, OBJ is usually the better choice, which is pretty clear.

Working with OBJ Files Today

First of all, you'll want to import your OBJ file into your 3D program of choice. Mine is Blender, for example. Delete the default cube first so it's not in the way, then select facemesh in the outliner. This is a common starting point for working with these files, and it's fairly straightforward.

I have seen imported objects with their origin at 0,0,0 but the mesh is miles away. So, you might need to use object > set origin to geometry, or similar tools in your software. This is a common little quirk that can pop up, but it's easily fixed. You know, just a small adjustment.

OBJ files are plain text files, which means they can be opened, viewed, and edited using any text editor. This is a very powerful feature for troubleshooting or making small tweaks without needing a full 3D program. This makes them very accessible for many users, actually. You can also explore other digital content creation tools to handle these files.

The Future of OBJ: What's Next?

The OBJ file format is a fundamental building block in the world of 3D graphics, and it has found its niche. While it's not suitable for high-end, complex scene transfers, its simplicity and open nature ensure its continued use for basic model exchange. It's like a reliable old car; it might not be the fastest, but it gets the job done for simple trips.

Its role as a versatile and widely used file format for 3D graphics seems secure for a while yet. People will continue to learn what an OBJ file is, how to open and edit it, and how to use it for 3D printing, animation, and game development. It's an important stepping stone for many starting out in 3D, too.

So, the "net worth" of OBJ in 2024 isn't about cutting-edge features, but about its enduring utility as a simple, open, and widely understood format for basic 3D geometry. It will likely remain a go-to for many general purposes, especially where simplicity and broad compatibility are key. You can learn more about 3D modeling essentials on our site.

People Also Ask

Is OBJ still a good format for 3D models in 2024?

OBJ is still a good format for basic 3D models, especially when you need simplicity and wide compatibility. It's great for exchanging mesh data and basic material assignments between different software. However, for very high polygon counts or complex scenes with animations and advanced materials, other formats might be better, like FBX, for instance.

What is the difference between OBJ and STL files?

The main difference is that OBJ files can store more information than STL files. STL is a very bare-bones format, just storing the mesh geometry as triangles, making it ideal for 3D printing. OBJ can store not only the mesh but also material assignments, texture coordinates, and vertex normals, which gives it more visual detail for rendering.

Can OBJ files be edited easily?

Yes, OBJ files are plain text files, which means you can open, view, and even edit them using any standard text editor. This makes them quite easy to manipulate for simple changes or troubleshooting. For more complex edits, you'll want to import them into a dedicated 3D modeling program, of course.

For more technical details on the OBJ format, you might find this resource helpful.