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What is the 3DXML (CATIA v6, 3DExperience, 3DVIA) file format and how to open or convert it?

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3DXML

3DXML is a XML-based 3D file format developed by Dassault Systemes under its 3DVIA Brand and is usually associated with such programs as CATIA v5/v6 and SolidWorks. The 3DXML file is a zip archive file that contains a BOM (bill of materials) file and one or more 3D representation files. Renaming the file from .3dxml to .zip allows a program like WinZip to open the archive. The 3DXML file can contain 3D representation files stored in either XML or binary format and they can contain either surface data, as a mesh that can be interpreted as surface data or as a simple mesh.

3DXML was first introduced in June 2005, being based on and leveraging the then-well-known Lattice Technology's 'XVL technology'. The intent was to create (yet-another) light weight visualization and rapid translation file format, mirroring what was already available in the market with the Siemens JT file format, PTC's ProductView PVS/PVZ format, SolidWorks EASM/HSF format, the HOOPS DWF/HSF formats and U3D file format in 3D PDF (among others).

Okino chose not to implement the 3DXML file format due to restrictive licensing terms imposed by Dassault Systemes, whose terms have lead to 3DXML's usage being mostly confined to Dassault software products. Even so, you should be better off by using native CATIA v5, native SolidWorks, STEP, IGES or Parasolid file formats rather than the visualization/size-centric 3DXML file format.