Which MIME types are related to file extension ".obj"?
The .obj file extension is associated with 6 MIME types:
model/obj, application/octet-stream, text/plain, application/x-object, application/x-coff, application/x-coffexec.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .obj Files
OBJ files are versatile formats that serve different purposes based on their MIME type.
They most commonly represent 3D model data in the Wavefront OBJ File Format (model/obj). This text-based format describes vertices, textures, and normals used in 3D graphics. Programs like Blender, Maya, and 3ds Max can open these files.
OBJ files may also use the application/octet-stream or text/plain MIME types. In these cases, they can store 3D objects for construction kits or other simple 3D data containers.
In a different context, OBJ files are generated as compiled code modules. MIME types such as application/x-object, application/x-coff, and application/x-coffexec indicate files that contain machine code ready for linking during software development. These object files are typically handled by development environments like Visual Studio.
- 3D Modeling: Stores geometry, texture, and normal data for use in graphics applications.
- 3D Construction Kits: Holds object data used in some game engines and construction toolkits.
- Software Development: Contains compiled code segments in COFF format for linking processes.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
model/obj, application/octet-stream, text/plain, application/x-object, application/x-coff, application/x-coffexec
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 can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.