What is MIME type "model/obj"?

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

model/obj is a MIME type for files that store 3D geometry data in a text-based format. These files describe a 3D model's structure using vertices, texture coordinates, normals, and faces. They are used to exchange 3D data between different graphics and design applications.

Files in this format are common in 3D modeling and game development. For example, a file with the OBJ or OBJECT extension holds the model's data in a way that is editable and human-readable.

Interoperability: Widely supported across various 3D software and game engines.
Portability: Text-based content allows easy modification and debugging with simple text editors.
Standardization: Acts as a common format to transfer 3D models between different platforms.

For more details, refer to the Wavefront .OBJ file format documentation.

Associated file extensions

.obj, .object

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: model/obj

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="model/obj">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', 'model/obj');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.obj, .object

FAQs

What is the correct MIME type for Wavefront OBJ files?

While model/obj is a widely accepted convention, the format is not strictly standardized by IANA. You may also encounter text/plain (since the content is human-readable) or model/wavefront-obj. However, for modern web 3D libraries, explicitly setting the Content-Type to model/obj is recommended for consistency.

How do I configure Apache to serve .obj files?

To ensure your Apache server delivers the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType model/obj .obj. This helps client-side applications distinguish 3D geometry from generic text files.

How do I add model/obj support to Nginx?

You can add the MIME type mapping in your nginx.conf or mime.types file. Inside the types block, add: model/obj obj;. After saving the file, restart or reload Nginx to apply the changes.

Can web browsers render model/obj files natively?

No, standard browsers like Chrome or Firefox cannot render model/obj data directly. To display these 3D models on a webpage, you must use a WebGL-based JavaScript library such as Three.js or Babylon.js to parse and render the file.

Is model/obj a binary or text format?

The model/obj type represents text-based data. You can open files with the .obj extension in simple editors like Notepad to view vertices and coordinates, which makes debugging easier compared to binary formats like glTF.

Why does my browser download the OBJ file instead of displaying it?

This usually happens if the server sends the file with a generic application/octet-stream type or if there is no 3D viewer embedded in the page. Ensure your server sends the model/obj header and that your frontend code is configured to fetch and render the object.

What is the difference between model/obj and .mtl files?

The model/obj file contains the 3D geometry (shape), while the associated .mtl file contains material definitions (colors, textures). They work together, but the .mtl file requires a different MIME type, typically model/mtl or text/plain.

General 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.