3DS files are proprietary to Autodesk 3D Studio, a 3D software application from Autodesk. One of the application’s oldest file types, 3DS stores information on 3D graphics that are accessible on any device. Find out more about the 3DS image format, its common uses, and more.
The 3DS file extension is short for 3D Studio. It’s a product of the Autodesk 3D Studio software, which stores information about 3D vector graphics. This includes mesh data, material attributes, camera and lighting information, and more.
3DS is a binary-based file format, which means it’s restricted to descriptors rather than the actual image itself, but it does give you fast file retrieval when sharing.
The .3ds file extension has existed since 1990 when it was the format of choice for the oldest Autodesk 3D Studio releases on DOS. Despite platform limitations, 3DS was renowned for its image quality and detail.
In 1996, the .max file extension replaced .3ds in Autodesk 3D Studio. Despite this, 3DS files remain widely used for 3D imaging thanks to their small file sizes. The file format still uses binary code via chunks of data that allow programs to skip over anything they don’t recognize without crashing the rest of the display.
Having powered 3D animations since the early 1990s, the 3DS file format continues to be used for several different purposes, including:
You can use 3DS files to transfer 3D models between different software applications. Each file retains only the essential parts of the data that deal with geometry, texture, and lighting — which means you can easily recreate images on other computers running similar software.
Try using 3DS files to store project assets together in one place. Their small file size is what makes them such a handy addition to an animator’s toolbox.
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As with any file type, there are upsides and downsides to using 3DS files. Here’s what you should consider before using them:
You can open 3DS files on a wide number of supported programs for both Windows and macOS. Just search for the file name and double-click on it, then choose the program you want to use from the list of options supplied by your computer.
Unlike many other image file types, you can’t open a 3DS file in your web browser.
Follow these simple steps to create a 3DS file with Adobe Photoshop:
A chunk is the name for a small block of data stored within a 3DS file. Chunks, which consist of an identifier and the length of the data, as well as the data itself, are what make up a 3DS file. This is useful because any application going through the data can skip what it doesn’t recognize and open the rest — saving your software from crashing.
You can use Photoshop to open 3DS files, as well as other 3D formats including DAE (Collada), OBJ, U3D, and KMZ (Google Earth). Just choose File > Open and select the file. To add a 3D file as a layer in an open file, choose 3D > New Layer From 3D File and then select the 3D file. The new layer reflects the dimensions of the open file and presents the 3D model over a transparent background.
There are a few programs that also support the 3DS file format, such as Photoshop. Note that the 3DS format can’t render full scenes, but newer formats like MAX and PRJ can.
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