OBJ File

What are OBJ files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an OBJ file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your OBJ files.

What is an OBJ file?

OBJ files have multiple uses, and Blender 3D Object is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

Blender 3D Object

These files hold 3D objects created with Blender, a 3D animation software application. They can contain texture maps, 3D coordinates, and other 3D object data.

How to open OBJ files

We have identified two OBJ openers that are compatible with this specific type of OBJ file.

Programs that open Blender 3D Object files

Last updated: August 10, 2026

All known file formats using extension .OBJ

While Blender 3D Object is a popular type of OBJ-file, we know of 16 different uses of the .OBJ file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Common Object File Format (COFF) Object File

Several compilers generate these files on the Windows platform, e.g., C and C++ compilers. When the compiler processes a source code file, a .obj file is generated. When all source code files have been compiled to .obj files, the .obj files are linked together to the resulting .exe executable file or .dll library file.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different OBJ openers which you will find listed below.

3D Construction Kit Object

We know that one OBJ format is 3D Construction Kit Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

CADRazor 3D Model

We know that one OBJ format is CADRazor 3D Model. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Flashback Object

We know that one OBJ format is Flashback Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

LightWave 3D Object

We know that one OBJ format is LightWave 3D Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

MeshLab Mesh

MeshLab Mesh files with the .OBJ extension store 3D mesh models as plain-text files created by MeshLab. These files are used when MeshLab saves or exports a mesh: they encode the shape of a 3D object by listing its points (vertices), the polygons (faces) that connect them, and usually optional extras like normals (directions for lighting) or texture coordinates (how images are wrapped around the surface). Such files are good for portability and exchanging models between 3D tools and for visualizing or further processing scans or polygon meshes.

MeshLab produces its own OBJ files when you choose to export or save a cleaned-up or modified mesh. These exported files are typically edited, refined, remeshed, or textured within MeshLab before saving. Once saved, the OBJ file can be opened in other modeling tools, rendering systems, or used for 3D printing workflows. MeshLab can include per-vertex color, normal vectors, and UV texture coordinates if enabled at export.

Inside a MeshLab-generated OBJ file you often find ASCII comment lines at the top such as "####", "OBJ File Generated by Meshlab", "Vertices: [number]", and "Faces: [number]". The file uses standard OBJ syntax: lines beginning with "v" for vertices (and optionally with color values), "vn" for vertex normals, "vt" for texture coordinates, "f" for face definitions, and may reference external material files ("mtllib") if textures or materials are used. The presence of key strings like "END OF FILE", "COORDS TEXTURE", "OBJECT", "VERTICES", "FACES", and "OBJ FILE GENERATED BY MESHLAB" serve as internal identifiers.

OBJ opener for Windows

We have identified one OBJ opener that is compatible with this specific type of OBJ file.

ObEd 3D Object

We know that one OBJ format is ObEd 3D Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Opticks Object

We know that one OBJ format is Opticks Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Relocatable Object Module Format (OMF) Object File

The Relocatable Object Module Format (OMF) is an object file format used for software running on the MS-DOS Operating System.

Programmers write software in various programming languages and use a compiler to generate the executable application file. Each of the source code files is compiled into an object file. At the end of the compilation process, all object files are linked together into the final executable application file.

MS-DOS executables consist of linked OMF object files, whole Windows executables consist of linked COFF object files (find a separate entry for that on this page).

TransFORTH Compiled Object Code

We know that one OBJ format is TransFORTH Compiled Object Code. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

UVMapper Object

We know that one OBJ format is UVMapper Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Wavefront Object

Wavefront Object (OBJ) files store 3D models by defining the shapes of objects using points, lines, polygons, curves, or surfaces so that a model can be displayed, edited, or shared between 3D applications. These files are created by 3D modeling or scanning tools and are commonly used as interchange files for mesh data or as inputs for rendering, printing, or inclusion in larger 3D scenes.

In production, a Wavefront OBJ file is produced by software that supports the format - such as modeling tools or mesh scanners - and is usually followed by editing or use in other tools. OBJ files may be paired with separate Material Template Library (.mtl) files that describe how surfaces should appear, including color and texture image references. Lighting, animation rigs, cameras, or scene graph metadata are not part of the base OBJ specification.

OBJ files are plain-text (ASCII) files composed of lines beginning with keywords. Vertex positions use "v", texture coordinates "vt", vertex normals "vn", and faces "f" referencing previously listed vertices by index (1-based). Comments start with "#" and long lines can be continued with a backslash ("\"). Free-form surface elements like curves (keyword "curv", "surf", "curv2") are supported, though many applications use only polygonal geometry.

Programs that open these OBJ files

We have identified one OBJ opener that is compatible with this specific type of OBJ file.

WDCxAS Object Code

We know that one OBJ format is WDCxAS Object Code. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

World Construction Set Object

We know that one OBJ format is World Construction Set Object. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

X-CAD Modifier Table

We know that one OBJ format is X-CAD Modifier Table. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of OBJ files. Remember, different programs may use OBJ files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about OBJ file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.