Hello! Now that I am somewhat familiar with basic OpenGL, I would like to try rendering something more complex that cubes or spheres or pyramids without typing all the vertices and texture coordinates into code one by one. What I''m looking for is a 3D file format that: - Is relatively simple to load and render with OpenGL. - Is supported by one or more 3D modelling app. - Is free/GPL/etc. Thanks in advance!

Well I went the route of creating my own format. Not too difficult when you really think about it. I COULD give you my format if it weren''t for the facts that:
1) It''s totally undocumented.
2) It''s proprietary
3) There are better formats out there

I would say that MD2/MD3 are good for a beginner because they are (relatively) simple to use, and they are well documented online. I don''t know what modelling software supports them, maybe Milkshape? But I''m not an authority on the topic...

try visiting wotsits.org - maybe you''ll find something there that meets your specs

Thanks!
Looks like Milkshape is the modelling app I need. I have already had some success with creating my own simple file format but there is no good way to make more complex models for it. I looked at the impressive list of formats supported by Milkshape. Now I''d like to know which ones are free and not too complex to load.

I''ve noticed MD2 is widely used for learning 3D but in what ways is it and is it not free?