.obj File — Wavefront OBJ 3D Model

OBJ (Wavefront Object) is one of the most widely supported 3D model file formats, originally developed by Wavefront Technologies for their Advanced Visualizer software. OBJ files store 3D geometry as plain text, defining vertices (v), texture coordinates (vt), vertex normals (vn), and faces (f) that reference these elements. The format supports polygonal geometry, free-form curves and surfaces, and grouping of geometry into named objects and groups. OBJ is typically paired with MTL (Material Template Library) files that define surface materials including colors, textures, transparency, and illumination models. The format's simplicity and text-based nature make it universally parseable and widely adopted as an interchange format between 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and game development tools. OBJ supports n-sided polygons (not limited to triangles), though most tools triangulate on import for rendering efficiency. While OBJ lacks support for animations, skeleton rigging, scene hierarchy, and cameras (features available in FBX, glTF, and COLLADA), its simplicity and universal support make it the most common format for sharing static 3D models across different software ecosystems.