Extract text from ArcGlobe and TDU models (3DD)
To convert 3DD 3D models to another format, you need ArcGIS Pro or other 3D software.
To convert other file formats to the "3D Scene Document" file type, you need software like ArcGIS Pro or a similar tool.
The .3DD file extension primarily represents an ArcGlobe Document created by Esri ArcGIS, a professional Geographic Information System (GIS) application. It is also used as a proprietary vehicle 3D model format in the Test Drive Unlimited video game.
The current .3DD format has severe practical disadvantages. ArcGlobe .3DD files are proprietary Microsoft Compound documents that do not store actual geographic geometry; they only store environment settings, 3D symbology, and absolute file paths linking to external spatial datasets. This means if you share a .3DD file without the linked local data, it is completely useless. Furthermore, it requires an expensive desktop software license to open natively. The game-related .3DD files are similarly restricted, acting as compiled binary assets meant only for an aging game engine, lacking direct support from modern 3D modeling tools.
Because of these limitations, users often need to convert .3DD workflows to standard, shareable formats. For GIS professionals, exporting the underlying map data to KML, KMZ, or OBJ is heavily preferred for web sharing. For gamers, modders usually want to convert the game models to FBX or OBJ for editing in Blender or Autodesk 3ds Max. Standard conversion attempts usually fail because GIS .3DD files do not physically contain the 3D map data, and game files are locked behind proprietary compression.
This file format is inherently difficult to open or convert. Often, only the original software can properly read or export the underlying data. However, convert.guru acts as a pragmatic workaround for these stubborn formats. Just drag and drop your file to see what it is and convert it if supported. Even when direct geometric conversion fails, convert.guru can still identify the file format, inspect the file, and show text or internal content. If our analysis detects a supported underlying or embedded format, viewing or conversion may still be possible.
Convert.Guru analyzes your 3DD file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted SD, MAPX and SOS files.
If you want to convert 3DD file to SHP, KML, KMZ, GPX, GEOJSON, TOPOJSON, TIF, TIFF, ECW, SID, IMG or DEM, you can use ArcGIS Pro or similar software from the "3D Scene & Model Storage" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert LAZ, KMZ, DTM, CSV, DEM, PRJ, LAS, GPX, DSM, SHP, DBF or KML files to 3DD, try ArcGIS Pro or another comparable tool in the "3D Scene & Model Storage" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our 3DD converter.