.scn File Extension

Learn what .scn files contain, which applications open them, and how Poly supports them.

File extension details for .scn

Partial Support
File typeCaligari trueSpace scene
MIME type
EncodingBinary trueSpace scene data
Operating systemsWindows, macOS, Linux
Opens withtrueSpace, AC3D, SAP 3D Visual Enterprise Author
Poly supportPartial. Poly recognizes .scn as 3D content and processes supported files.
Indexed by PolyYes. Poly indexes filenames and visual similarity for processed geometry; scene counts are displayed in Details.
Preview in PolyPartial. Poly provides an interactive 3D preview for supported constructs.
Poly agentYes. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files.

What kind of file is .scn?

In Poly's 3D filename mapping, .scn refers to the Caligari trueSpace scene format. PRONOM identifies .scn as the scene member of the trueSpace family and .cob as its object format.1

The suffix is ambiguous outside this context: other applications use .scn for unrelated scene, project, or data files. Check the producing application and content before assuming a file is trueSpace. A trueSpace scene can refer to objects, materials, cameras, and other scene state, so a complete import is more than reading one mesh.

The .scn suffix is used by other applications too; this page covers the Caligari trueSpace meaning recognized by Poly.

How do I open a .scn file?

trueSpace is the natural first choice for Caligari trueSpace scene files. AC3D, Blender, and specialized viewers may import some related 3D formats, but compatibility depends on the format version and the constructs included. Export to glTF or OBJ only after checking whether materials, textures, animation, and scene relationships are needed.

Poly support for .scn

Poly recognizes .scn as 3D content and indexes filenames and visual similarity for processed geometry. Scene counts are displayed in the Details panel. Its interactive preview depends on successful decoding and on the constructs present. An optimized rendition of the 3D object or scene is provided to the agent, allowing compact yet information-rich multimodal interaction with 3D files.

ConstructWhat to expect
Geometry and scene structureAvailable when the file imports successfully.
Materials and texturesDepends on source constructs and supported rendition features.
Cameras, lights, and animationAvailable when present and supported.

Working with .scn

Keep the source file before converting. Format versions and optional scene features can change interoperability even when the suffix is unchanged.

Footnotes

  1. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/PRONOM/fmt/914.
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