Opening a C3D File

The C3D file type is primarily associated with Chem3D.

C3D	File extension: C3D
	File type:	molecular structure file

What is a C3D file

C3D files mostly belong to Chem3D by CambridgeSoft Corporation. C3D stands for Coordinate 3D. It is a file format that stores biomechanical data and was developed by Dr. Andrew Dainis.

Main Use: C3D files are regularly used in Biomechanics, Animation, and Gait Analysis laboratories for recording experimental motion capture information of objects. C3D file brings all the requisite information necessary for reading, displaying, and analyzing 3D motion data into one place. The file format consists of two sections of data, the 3D point data, and analog data which are stored in a binary form. The 3D point data is stored using 5 points of information, three for the dimensions, and the other two save error estimate data and the number of cameras capturing the information at that point. The analog data is the sixth point of information that is unrelated to spatial coordinates and can refer to various types of biomechanical information such as marker, force plate, EMG, accelerometer, and footswitch data for gait timing. C3D files can be opened using Motion Lab Systems C3Deditor and AnyBody Modeling System software on Windows PCs. On Mac, the Mokka application can be used instead.
Other Uses: C3D files can also refer to 3D image CAD files that are used in construction and manufacturing industries. These files consist of geometric object data for a 3D model such as curves, points, assemblies, and bodies.

How to open a C3D file

You need a suitable software like Chem3D to open a C3D file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your C3D file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a C3D file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online C3D Text Viewer

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Programs that open and convert C3D files:

Chem3D by CambridgeSoft Corporation
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. C3D files are often referred to as Chem3D 3d images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Blender (biomechanics information file) by Blender
Blender is a free, open-source 3D modeling, animation, simulation, and rendering software. It supports many 3D file formats, including C3D. C3D is a standard, public domain file format for biomechanical data storage. C3D files store information such as gait and motion data. The files allow the synchronization of analog and 3D data. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Blender on Wikipedia, Blender Repository, Working with C3D Files in Blender, Video Tutorial on Working with C3D Files in Blender
C3Deditor (biomechanics information file) by Motion Lab Systems
C3Deditor is a program that enables users to edit C3D files. C3D is a standard, public domain file format for biomechanical data storage. C3D files store information such as gait and motion data. The files allow the synchronization of analog and 3D data. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: C3Deditor User Guide, C3D File Format Guide, C3D File Format, Sample C3D Files
Cult3D Designer (Cult3D 3D model) by Cycore
Cult3D Designer is a software that provides a graphical interface to add interactivity, sound, and special effects to 3D models without programming. The C3D file format is associated with a 3D model in Cult3D Designer. This file format is classified as 3D Image. Related links: Cult3D User Guide, Research Paper on Cult3D, Research Paper Mentioning C3D Files, Export C3D from Maya, News Report About Cult3D
Micrografx
Mokka (biomechanics information file) by Arnaud Barré
Mokka is an open-source, cross-platform for analyzing motion kinematics and kinetics. It can read and write several formats, including C3D. C3D is a standard, public domain file format for biomechanical data storage. C3D files store information such as gait and motion data. The files allow the synchronization of analog and 3D data. This file format is classified as Data. Related links: Research Paper About Mokka, Article About Mokka and C3D Files

C3D file format:

Every file has a defined file format, i.e. how the data is arranged in the file. The file format can be determined based on the file extension and the signature (the first few characters of a file). Frequently, however, one file extension is used by different programs for different file formats, and one file format for different file extensions. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. In the following you will find our evaluation of the C3D files:

The file type with the extension 'C3D' is used by a few programs, each with its own file format. The two most popular formats are as follows:

60% of all C3D files are associated with Coordinate 3D. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. C3D files can be up to 73 MB in size, but are often around 140 KB - 6 MB. The file type is old but is used even today. Such files are related to gait, static, trial, normal, jump, take, trainer, pose and type.
15% of all C3D files start with the bytes ODS crucial for this file format. These are binary files, so they do not contain words or text. The files are on average 1 MB in size and range from 1 MB to 1.7 MB.

All other C3D files (25%) have different formats, often e.g. DOC. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your C3D file!

Technical Data for C3D File Extension

File classification:

3D Image

Related files:

c3b, zip, 3ds, mfg, lic, xp3, xyz, prn

Mime type:

application/octet-stream

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: C3D.Document, FileType: Ulead COOL 3D, AppName: Ulead COOL 3D
EXEFile: U3DEDIT3.EXE

ProgramID: C3D.Document, FileType: Ulead COOL 3D Production Studio, AppName: Ulead COOL 3D Production Studio

ProgramID: C3D.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ulead Systems\Ulead COOL 3D 3.5\U3DEDIT3.EXE %1

ProgramID: Instant3D.Catalog
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROG~1\Instnt3d\Instnt3d.exe %1

ProgramID: C3D.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ULEADS~1\ULEADC~1\u3dedit3.exe

ProgramID: C3D.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ULEADS~1\ULEADC~1\u3dedit4.exe

ProgramID: C3D.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ULEADS~1\ULEADC~2\u3dedit4.exe

ProgramID: C3D.Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Ulead Systems\Ulead COOL 3D Production Studio Trial\U3DEDIT4.EXE

ProgramID: Chem3D.Document.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\CambridgeSoft\ChemOffice2008\Chem3D\Chem3D.exe

Show all 9 listings To Top

a c3d molecular structure file is a special file format by CambridgeSoft Corporation and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with C3D files

Associate the C3D file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open molecular structure files. Because only the current version supports the latest C3D file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the CambridgeSoft Corporation manufacturer website after an available Chem3D update.
To make sure that your C3D file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .C3D file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.