### Supported 3D file formats

In general, TownScope is used for calculation purposes, so it does not need to import any texture or beautification effects into the 3D model.
Important : In some solid modelers the Y and Z axes are reversed. In TownScope the Y axis of the 3D scene coordinates is assumed bottom-up in the screen plan. For example, if you are using Google Sketchup you must check the 'Swap YZ coordinates (Y is up)' option in the Export/options dialog pane.
Very important : the north direction is crucial for solar access calculations. TownScope considers this direction to be bottom-up on the screen when a scene is displayed in plan projection. You can change the orientation of your model in the CAD tool or through the transformation window.

Hereafter the list of all the supported formats along with the limitations on each one.

- 3DStudio files (*.3ds) : These files are well supported in TownScope and represents the main importing facility for the AutoCAD © solid modeler users.
  Only the 3D information for the surfaces are imported (no textures, no materials).
- DXF files (*.dxf) : The AutoDesk © exchange 3D file format.
  Attention : The 3DSolid entities saved in these files are not imported because the AutoCAD © modeler uses a private, unpublished format to store these entities. The user should export the AutoCAD drawing in 3DStudio © format and import this .3DS file in TownScope.
- OBJ files (*.obj) : The Wavefront Object files (text format). Edges and textures are also imported.
  Note :
  Users of Google Sketchup should use this format to export there drawings. Do not forget to check the Swap YZ coordinates (Y is up) (see note above).
- VRML files (*.vrml, *.wrl) : Only Faces are imported from files in this format.
- RAW files (*.raw) : In these text format files, each surface is written on one line in x1 y1 z1 ... xn yn zn format.
- XYZ files (*.xyz) : In these text format files, each face is defined by i) line 0 x1 y1 z1 and ii) all the following 1 x y z lines.
- URB files (*.urb) : TownScope's specific format.
  This is a text based format, created for the TownScope software. The surfaces properties for solar access and thermal comfort calculations are only stored (exported) in this type of files.
- Terrain files (*.ter) : This is a TownScope's specific format (text based) to represent a terrain model.
  The file format is very simple : a header tag 'terrain-points' and the list of distinct 'x y z' coordinates of control points
  terrain-points
  x1 y1 z1
  x2 y2 z2
  x3 y3 z3
  ...
  When loading this file, TownScope will apply the triangulation method chosen by the user (see Settings/Miscellaneous window).
- TownScope 2.0 files (*.bib, *.bbx) : These formats are supported for backward compatibility (with version 2.0) only.

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