OpenFlight (or .flt) is a 3d geometry model file format originally developed by Software Systems Inc. for its
MultiGen real-time 3d modeling package in 1988. Originally called Flight, the format was designed as a nonproprietary 3d model format for use by real-time 3d
visual simulation image generators. The format was later renamed to OpenFlight to denote its nonproprietary image generation (IG) usage. The MultiGen modeling package (known now as Creator
) and the OpenFlight format were rapidly adopted by the early commercial
flight simulation
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies, for pilot training, design, or other purposes. It includes replicating the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they rea ...
industry in the later 1980s and early 1990s.
NASA Ames
The Ames Research Center (ARC), also known as NASA Ames, is a major NASA research center at Moffett Federal Airfield in California's Silicon Valley. It was founded in 1939 as the second National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) laborat ...
was the first customer for the MultiGen modeling package.
The early advantage OpenFlight held over many 3d geometry model file formats (
.obj,
.dxf
AutoCAD DXF (Drawing Interchange Format, or Drawing Exchange Format) is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs.
DXF was introduced in December 1982 as part of AutoCA ...
,
.3ds
3DS is one of the file formats used by the Autodesk 3ds Max 3D modeling, animation and rendering software.
It was the native file format of the old Autodesk 3D Studio DOS (releases 1 to 4), which was popular until its successor (3D Studio MAX ...
) was its specific real-time 3d graphics industry design. This means that the format is polygon based (rather than
NURB surfaces), and provides a real-time tree structure essential for real-time IG systems. Most early graphics file formats, such as
Wavefront Technologies
Wavefront Technologies was a computer graphics company that developed and sold animation software used in Hollywood motion pictures and other industries. It was founded in 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, by Bill Kovacs, Larry Barels, Mark Sy ...
, or
Alias Systems Corporation
Alias Systems Corporation (formerly Alias Research, Alias Wavefront), headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was a software company that produced high-end 3D graphics software. Alias was eventually bought by Autodesk.
History
Alias Syste ...
, tried to focus more on visual aesthetics for non-real-time based rendering graphics packages.
The OpenFlight file format is still widely used today in the high end real-time visual simulation industry as the standard interchange format between different IG systems, and is currently administrated by Presagis.
File format
Associated File Formats
OpenFlight models can have several associated files in different formats, that define elements such as material characteristics or shaders.
Versions and History
API
Modeling Tools
There are several modeling tools currently on the market that both read and write the OpenFlight file format. The standard bearer of the file format Presagis Creator offers the widest compatibility with the file format.
Vendor specific alterations
Because the OpenFlight file format allows for vendor specific data field additions, some modeling and simulation tools might not fully support vendor specific additions to the file format.
References
External links
OpenFlight Specification*
{{DEFAULTSORT:OpenFlight .flt File
3D computer graphics
Graphics file formats
Graphics standards
Virtual reality
IRIX software