The Complete PRC/U3D to JT Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert PRC/U3D to JT, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing PRC/U3D Files to JT

There are various ways to convert between PRC/U3D and JT. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize PRC/U3D files, at scale. It supports JT, 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 PRC/U3D and JT files commonly used for?

The PRC/U3D file is a format mostly used for 3D data embedding in documents and technical publishing.
The JT file is a format mostly used for lightweight 3D visualization and collaboration.

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Comparison of Features Supported by PRC/U3D and JT

FeatureSupported by PRC/U3DSupported by JT
Morph TargetsPartial0No
Rigid AnimationsYesPartial1
Skinned AnimationsPartial2No
AnimationsYesPartial3
Free-Form SurfacesYesYes
Geometry CompressionYesYes
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsNoNo
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionYesYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatYesYes
Embedded TexturesYesPartial4
Multiple UV ChannelsYesPartial5
Normal MappingPartial6Partial7
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionPartial8Partial9
Texture TransformsYesPartial10
TexturingYesYes

0 - Simple morphing capabilities
1 - Basic rigid body animation for design review
2 - Basic skeletal animation support in U3D
3 - Simple animation support for assembly operations
4 - Textures can be embedded for self-contained files
5 - Limited multi-texturing capabilities
6 - Limited normal mapping support
7 - Basic normal mapping for enhanced visualization
8 - Basic texture compression for document embedding
9 - Efficient compression for visualization
10 - Basic texture transformation support

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Limitations of PRC/U3D Files to JT Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting PRC/U3D files to JT format:

PRC/U3D Feature (not supported by JT)Limitation Details
Texture Transforms

Texture Transforms Support:

PRC/U3D: Full support | JT: Partial support

Texture Transforms illustratedlack of support for Texture Transforms illustrated

JT Notes:

Basic texture transformation support

Impact:

Texture transforms describe transformation operations that are applied to 2D texture images or UV coordinates when using 2D texture data on a 3D surface. They can be used, for example, to make sure that material patterns are using real-world scale when rendered on the 3D surface. In this example, such a pattern is used and scaled with the help of a texture transform. Without support for this feature, the texture pattern shows up at the wrong scale.

Multiple UV Channels

Multiple UV Channels Support:

PRC/U3D: Full support | JT: Partial support

Multiple UV Channels illustratedlack of support for Multiple UV Channels illustrated

JT Notes:

Limited multi-texturing capabilities

Impact:

Multiple UV channels allow the optimized and sophisticated use of various 3D modeling features at once. For example, one can use one set of UVs and 2D texture data to model a tiling texture or procedural material, and another UV set to leverage a global lightmap or occlusion map of the 3D model. In this example, a combination of tiled texture (UV channel 1) and baked ambient occlusion map (UV channel 2) is used. Without support for this feature, one needs to either give up the tiling property (e.g., by using a tool like RapidPipline to bake a single texture atlas), or give up the ambient occlusion map, as only one UV channel will be usable.

Embedded Textures

Embedded Textures Support:

PRC/U3D: Full support | JT: Partial support

Embedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated

JT Notes:

Textures can be embedded for self-contained files

Impact:

Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.

Animations

Animations Support:

PRC/U3D: Full support | JT: Partial 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.

Skinned Animations

Skinned Animations Support:

PRC/U3D: Partial support | JT: No support

Skinned Animations illustratedlack of support for Skinned Animations illustrated

PRC/U3D Notes:

Basic skeletal animation support in U3D

Impact:

Skinned animations are commonly used for 3D character models in interactive applications, such as games or virtual worlds. They make it possible to easily animate the 3D model using a helper structure based on virtual bones, composing a virtual skeleton for animation control. In this example, a skinned animation is used to pose a 3D character. Without support for skinned animations, the 3D model will remain in its default pose, such as the default T-pose.

Morph Targets

Morph Targets Support:

PRC/U3D: Partial support | JT: No support

Morph Targets illustratedlack of support for Morph Targets illustrated

PRC/U3D Notes:

Simple morphing capabilities

Impact:

Morph Targets, or "Blend Shapes", are commonly used to animate facial expressions and soft surfaces, for example cloth under a cloth simulation. They model various states of the animations with different vertex positions. In contrast to skinned animations, morph targets do not use any virtual bones, but work solely on the vertex data. In this example, a facial animation is achieved through morph targets. Without suport for this feature, in this example, the face will not show the animation.

Rigid Animations

Rigid Animations Support:

PRC/U3D: Full support | JT: Partial 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.

What's the best way to get PRC/U3D files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using JT?

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 PRC/U3D and JT 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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