3D image format used by Autodesk 3D Studio; contains mesh data, material attributes, bitmap references, smoothing group data, viewport configurations, camera locations, and lighting information; may also include object animation data.

3DS files consist of blocks of data called "chunks" that contain an ID and length description. Chunks store the shapes, lighting, a viewing information that together represent the three-dimensional scene.

Important: The 3DS format has been replaced by .MAX files in newer versions of the 3ds Max software. However, the 3DS format is still widely used.