B3D File Extension

B3D file icon

BodyPaint 3D Format

What is a B3D file?

BodyPaint 3D Format, identified by the B3D extension, is a 3D Image Files type and includes 618 files.

With the creation of the BodyPaint 3D Format (B3D), MAXON introduced file format along with 2 programs built for their use.

B3D files are supported by Windows, Mac OS and Linux. You can open a B3D file using one of 3 programs, for example BodyPaint 3D, XnView and IrfanView.

Programs that support B3D files

How to open a B3D file?

The most common reason why a B3D file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

The most popular programs for working with B3D files are BodyPaint 3D, XnView and IrfanView. To get the latest version of BodyPaint 3D, open the MAXON website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign BodyPaint 3D as the default app for B3D files.

Make BodyPaint 3D the default B3D viewer

Changing the default program in Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your B3D file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose BodyPaint 3D as the application to associate with your B3D file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired B3D file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
  4. In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to BodyPaint 3D. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

Convert to and from B3D

If a B3D file is difficult to handle, you might try converting it to formats such as OBJ or similar, which may be easier to work with.

Please note that after converting a B3D file, some functionality may differ from the original. However, in many cases, it can be converted back to its original format.

Convert B3D to other file formats

Finding answers to B3D file problems

If you encounter issues with B3D files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

What are the signs that my B3D file is damaged?

Corrupted B3D 3d image files may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Poor performance when editing a file in BodyPaint 3D;
  • Opening or processing the file in BodyPaint 3D or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
  • The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
  • Unexpected expansion of the total size of the B3D file;
  • Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;

Why does BodyPaint 3D quit or crash unexpectedly?

BodyPaint 3D crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for MAXON products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What methods can be used to repair a damaged B3D file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged B3D file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged 3d image files.

How to edit a B3D file?

To edit B3D files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify 3d image files. Online B3D editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for BodyPaint 3D Format.

List of Top B3D editors 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended B3D editors.

B3D Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
BodyPaint 3DMAXONWindows4.5 out of 5 (41 review)