OK, here goes:
1) CGM = Computer Graphics Metafile A 2D file format used for drawings and other illustrations. Was originally adapted as a standard for storing electronic documents before the widespread use of the PDF standard.
2) STL = Stereolithography The format for the file used to provide 3D model data, in the form of tessellated (faceted) geometry. Originall defined by the 3d Systems Company, an early pioneer in the development of rapid prototyping technology and generally considered to be the first company to sell a commercially viable and successful machine.
3) JT = Jupiter A de facto industry standard neutral file format for 3D geometry based on tessellated (faceted) models which can include edge and face (B-rep) data as well as some non-geometric data. Used as both a means of storing and exchanging lightweight geometric model data particularly when working in a multi-CAD environment where only the 3D spatial model and not the original CAD history file is needed for the application, such as visual mockups and virtual reality sessions. This file format was originally developed by the EAI Corp which was subsequently acquired by what is now Siemens PLM Software, but which has been licensed to other companies and which has been submitted to the various standards setting organizations as a public and open standard.
4) VRML = Virtual Reality Modeling Language This was an early standard for capturing 3D lightweight (faceted) model data used for visual purposes and was the standard for many virtual reality systems. Has been all but replaced by more modern standards such as JT.
5) PNG = Portable Network Graphics This is a 2D non-lossy file format used for storing photographic bit-mapped images. It's one of the newest standards developed by a group of industry specialist with a intent of coming up with a standard which would offer a better solution to storing photographic level detail without incurring losses due to compression algorithms. The main issue was the current standards were either inadequate or were hindered by constraints applied to them based on patents, disputed ownership and licensing issues. This format got a significant boost when Mircosoft decided to make it the preferred standard for many of it's photographic applications.
6) TIFF = Tagged Image File Format This was the oldest and often considered the best of the non-lossy bit-mapped photographic file formats. However, while it does a very good job it is very verbose (results in very large files sizes) and it turns out that the only useable compression schemes which preserves the non-lossy behavior is tied-up in patent and ownership disputes and as such has limited its potential as a true industry standard. This was one of the situations which led to the development of the PNG standard.
7) BMP = Device-Independent Bitmap This is a non-lossy bitmap file format which has been adopted primary for the on-screen graphics found in software user interfaces, such as toolbar icons and such. While it can be used to capture full size photographic images it is VERY verbose and results in very large files making it impractical for all but smaller images, thus it's popularity for icons and other smaller graphic objects.
8) GIF = Graphics Interchange Format This is an old bitmap graphic standard but it's very limited in that it can only support 256 colors and is therefore limited to things like logos and other simple graphic art requirements. And it's also one of the graphics standards in which there have been ownership and licensing issues over the years, perhaps not as hotly disputed as things like the patent issues surrounding the compression algorithms used to compress TIFF images, but enough that alternatives were established, such as BMP in this case.
9) IGES = Initial Graphics Exchange Specification The first practical and widely used neutral exchange standard for 2D and 3D CAD data. Has been replaced for the most part by the more carefully defined and broader STEP initiative.
10) STEP = Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data The current ISO supported standard for the exchange of 3D CAD product model data. There are several different sub-standards optimized for the special requirements of certain industries and applications.
As a final note, virtually ALL of this information could have been gotten using simple Google searches as none of it is proprietary to NX or Siemens PLM Software (with the possible exception of JT and even that has been 'donated' to the ISO committee and is being treated as an open and public standard).
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
UG/NX Museum:
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