What Is a DAE File?
A file with the DAE file extension is a Digital Asset Exchange file. As the name implies, it’s used by various graphics programs to exchange digital assets. They may be images, textures, 3D models, etc. This file format is based on the XML COLLADA format, which is short for Collaborative Design Activity.
How to Open a DAE File
Several programs are suitable: Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, Chief Architect, DAZ Studio, Cheetah3D, Cinema 4D, MODO, and Autodesk’s AutoCAD, 3ds Max, and Maya programs. Other applications probably support the format too, like the free and open source Blender tool. Another opener for macOS is Apple Preview. Some DAE files may also open in Esko’s free Studio Viewer. Clara.io is a free and easy way to view the file online in your web browser so that you don’t have to download any software.
How to Convert a DAE File
One easy to use DAE converter is Online 3D Converter. Just upload it there and choose between different formats to save it, like OBJ, 3DS, STL, PLY, X, and others. FBX Converter is a free tool from Autodesk for Windows and macOS that converts DAE files to FBX, with support for multiple versions of the FBX format. The file can also be converted to GLB for use in CesiumJS. You can do this with Cesium’s own online COLLADA to gITF tool. After importing a DAE file into SketchUp Pro, the program can be used to export the model to DWG, DXF, and several other similar formats.
Still Can’t Open It?
If you can’t open your file at this point, it’s likely you’re dealing with a file that’s in a completely different format. This can happen rather easily if you’ve misread the file extension. Some extensions look similar even though the file formats are unrelated. For example, DAE files have nothing to do with DAR, DAA, DAT, or DAO (Disk at Once CD/DVD Image) files. ADE is another one you might confuse for DAE. Although all the same file extension letters are present, those are Access Project Extension files that can only be used in Microsoft Access.
