What is MIME type "application/x-lightwave"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-lightwave is the MIME type for files used to store detailed 3D object data from Lightwave 3D software. These files hold models, textures, and sometimes keyframe animation data. The format is recognized by systems and software that work with 3D design and rendering.

Key uses include:

3D Modeling: It handles polygon-based object data for creating and editing complex models.
Animation Production: It stores essential elements such as texture mapping and motion details.
Visual Effects and Game Asset Creation: It aids in integrating high-quality 3D objects into digital scenes.

Files associated with this MIME type typically use the LWO extension.

For more technical insights, check the Lightwave 3D Overview.

Associated file extensions

.lwo

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-lightwave

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-lightwave">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-lightwave');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.lwo

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.