ISO 14306-2017 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 14306:2017 — Industrial automation systems and integration — JT file format specification for 3D visualization. This International Standard defines the syntax and semantics of the JT file format used for the 3D visualization and interrogation of lightweight geometry and product manufacturing information (PMI) derived from CAD systems. The format supports facets (triangle meshes) with geometry compression, visual attributes (lights, textures, materials), PMI (dimensions, tolerances, attributes), boundary-representation (b-rep) alternatives (including representations based on ISO 10303), configuration representations and delivery methods such as asynchronous streaming of content. The standard specifies file syntax and semantic content but does not mandate run-time viewer architecture or implementation details.

Abstract

ISO 14306:2017 provides a standardized JT file format to enable exchange and visualization of CAD-derived lightweight 3D models and associated product manufacturing information. It is intended to facilitate interoperability between CAD systems, PLM/visualization tools and downstream consumers that require geometry and PMI for review, collaboration and manufacturing processes without requiring full CAD functionality. The standard is recognized as a 3D-visualization capability complementary to the ISO 10303 (STEP) series.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: November 2017 (Edition 2).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial automation systems and integration / CAD data exchange).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (ISO 14306:2017).
• Number of pages: 649 pages.

Technical committee: ISO/TC 184/SC 4. The ISO record notes prior withdrawal of the 2012 edition and publication of the 2017 edition; subsequent partization and newer parts of the ISO 14306 family (e.g., parts published in 2024 and work items continuing into 2025) are listed on the ISO catalogue.

Scope

The scope of ISO 14306:2017 is to define a portable file format (JT) for representing and exchanging 3D visualization data and associated product manufacturing information in a lightweight manner suitable for visualization, digital mockup, review and downstream manufacturing and supply-chain workflows. It covers file syntax, semantic content and allowed geometry and PMI representations (including both faceted and selected b-rep options), plus mechanisms for packaging visualization attributes and configuration/variant data. The standard does not define viewer runtime architectures, APIs, or specific software implementations.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of JT file syntax and semantic model for geometry and PMI.
• Support for faceted geometry (triangles) with optional geometry compression techniques.
• Support for visual attributes: lights, textures, materials, and display settings.
• Support for product manufacturing information (dimensions, tolerances and other PMI attributes).
• Options for boundary-representation (b-rep) solid model shapes, including alternatives that reference ISO 10303 (STEP) geometry representations.
• Representation of configurations, assemblies and product structure for variant management.
• Delivery and streaming considerations for asynchronous transfer of JT content.
• Explicit statement that viewer runtime architecture and processing implementations are outside the standard’s scope.

Typical use and users

Primary users include CAD and PLM vendors, visualization and digital mockup software developers, manufacturing engineers, design review teams, technical publications authors, suppliers exchanging lightweight 3D data, and systems integrators building downstream workflows that consume geometry and PMI without full CAD kernels. Common uses are lightweight model exchange, digital mockups, downstream visualization, design review, manufacturing planning and collaboration across supply chains.

Related standards

ISO 14306 is commonly used alongside the ISO 10303 (STEP) family—particularly AP 242 and related application protocols—for richer product model interchange and exact geometry representations; JT is positioned as a lightweight complementary visualization representation. The ISO catalogue entry for ISO 14306 also indicates subsequent partization of the specification (parts published or under development after 2017) that extend the family. Implementers often map JT content to/from STEP/AP242 representations in PLM workflows.

Keywords

ISO 14306, JT, JT file format, 3D visualization, lightweight geometry, product manufacturing information, PMI, b-rep, STEP, ISO 10303, AP242, PLM, digital mockup, geometry compression.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 14306:2017 specifies the JT file format for lightweight 3D visualization and associated PMI exchange, defining file syntax and semantics for geometry, visual attributes and PMI content intended for visualization and downstream use.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers file structure, allowed geometry representations (facets and selected b-rep alternatives), visual attributes (textures, materials, lights), PMI (dimensions, tolerances), assembly/configuration representations and delivery considerations such as streaming. It does not prescribe viewer runtime architectures or implementation APIs.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: CAD and PLM vendors, visualization software developers, manufacturing and design review teams, suppliers and integrators who need to exchange or display CAD-derived 3D models and PMI without requiring full CAD system capabilities.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2017 edition (Edition 2) is the published international edition referenced as ISO 14306:2017. The ISO catalogue shows the 2012 edition was withdrawn and the 2017 edition published; the standard family has been further developed into parts (with items published in 2024 and work items noted into 2025). Users should consult the ISO catalogue or their national standards body for any newer parts or amendments relevant to their implementation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 14306 is part of a family of specifications for the JT format and is used in workflows alongside ISO 10303 (STEP) application protocols such as AP 242. ISO has also progressed with partization of the 14306 specification (multiple parts published or under development following the 2017 edition) to address additional topics and modularize the specification.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: JT, JT file, 3D visualization, PMI, product manufacturing information, lightweight geometry, b-rep, STEP, AP242, PLM.