The Complete JT to Rhino 3DM Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert JT to Rhino 3DM, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing JT Files to Rhino 3DM

There are various ways to convert between JT and Rhino 3DM. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize JT files, at scale. It supports Rhino 3DM, as well as many other file formats (examples: FBX, glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are JT and Rhino 3DM files commonly used for?

The JT file is a format mostly used for lightweight 3D visualization and collaboration.
The Rhino 3DM file is a format mostly used for NURBS-based 3D modeling and design.

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Comparison of Features Supported by JT and Rhino 3DM

FeatureSupported by JTSupported by Rhino 3DM
Morph TargetsNoNo
Rigid AnimationsPartial0No
Skinned AnimationsNoNo
AnimationsPartial1No
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionYesNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoYes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatYesPartial2
Embedded TexturesPartial3Partial4
Multiple UV ChannelsPartial5Yes
Normal MappingPartial6Yes
Procedural TexturesNoPartial7
Texture CompressionPartial8No
Texture TransformsPartial9Yes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Basic rigid body animation for design review
1 - Simple animation support for assembly operations
2 - Proprietary format with open specification (openNURBS)
3 - Textures can be embedded for self-contained files
4 - Textures can be embedded in the 3DM file
5 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
6 - Basic normal mapping for enhanced visualization
7 - Basic procedural material support
8 - Efficient compression for visualization
9 - Basic texture transformation support

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Limitations of JT Files to Rhino 3DM Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting JT files to Rhino 3DM format:

JT Feature (not supported by Rhino 3DM)Limitation Details
Geometry Compression

Geometry Compression Support:

JT: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Geometry Compression illustratedlack of support for Geometry Compression illustrated

Impact:

Geometry compression describes the process of compressing the representations of a 3D model's geometry, usually a triangle mesh. 3D geometry compression does not change the topology of a 3D model, but just changes the way that a 3D model and its 3D positions and related vertex data is stored. Geometry compression can be lossy (just like JPEG compression in image processing can be lossy, for example), in which case one might notice slight artifacts like variations in 3D vertex positions (compared to the uncompressed 3D model). However, such differences are often not noticeable. There are only very few standards for geometry compression, like glTF's support of Draco compression and similar extensions.

Texture Compression

Texture Compression Support:

JT: Partial support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Texture Compression illustratedlack of support for Texture Compression illustrated

JT Notes:

Efficient compression for visualization

Impact:

Texture compression refers to a process of compressing 2D texture images for memory-efficient rendering (and sometimes for efficient transmission). The decompression of compressed texture data is therefore performed on-the-fly during rendering, so that it never has to be stored in unpacked form, but can be kept as-is in GPU memory. Formats supporting texture compression methods, such as the ones offered by glTF through KTX2 containers, therefore allow 3D models to use a smaller memory footprint on the client device during rendering. This can speed up rendering time, and also make it possible to store and use larger amounts of texture data than it would otherwise be possible.

Animations

Animations Support:

JT: Partial support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Animations illustratedlack of support for Animations illustrated

JT Notes:

Simple animation support for assembly operations

Impact:

Animations are an important part of many interactive 3D assets, for example in real-time rendering (including games, XR training, assembly instructions, product demos, and other use cases). There are various kinds of animations that can be used on 3D models. In this example model, a rigid animation is used to make the gears spin. Without support for this feature, in this example, the gears won't move.

Rigid Animations

Rigid Animations Support:

JT: Partial support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Rigid Animations illustratedlack of support for Rigid Animations illustrated

JT Notes:

Basic rigid body animation for design review

Impact:

Rigid Animations are typically used to animate mechanical parts. In this example, the door of this 3D model of a microwave can be interactively opened or closed, using a rigid animation that gradually changes the 3D transformation of the door. Without support for this feature, in this example, the door will just stay in place and won't move.

Standardized Format

Standardized Format Support:

JT: Full support | Rhino 3DM: Partial support

Standardized Format illustratedlack of support for Standardized Format illustrated

Rhino 3DM Notes:

Proprietary format with open specification (openNURBS)

Impact:

Standardization plays a huge role in 3D model formats. With a format being standardized, every application will have a clear way of how to load or store data using this format. This makes it easier to re-use the 3D model across different applications, but also to make sure it will still be accessible and usable after a couple of years.

What's the best way to get JT files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using Rhino 3DM?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to JT and Rhino 3DM files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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