The development of 3D image files traces back to the early days of computer graphics, when simple wireframe models were used to simulate objects in space. As computers became more powerful in the 1970s and 1980s, so did the need to store and manipulate increasingly complex three-dimensional data. Early 3D file formats like OBJ were introduced to store mesh geometry using text-based notations, allowing basic shapes and surfaces to be recreated in digital environments. These files were primarily used in engineering and academic settings, where 3D modeling was a tool for design visualization and simulation. Over time, the entertainment and gaming industries began to adopt 3D assets more heavily, which pushed the evolution of file formats capable of not just storing geometry but also textures, animations, and interactivity.
By the 1990s, with the rise of commercial 3D modeling software such as 3D Studio, Maya, and Blender, file types like 3DS and FBX emerged, offering more efficient ways to handle detailed scenes, animations, and skeletal rigs. These formats became standard in film production and game development, where realism and dynamic environments were increasingly in demand. The need to consolidate many types of data into a single project file led to the rise of packaged 3D image formats—comprehensive files that could store everything from mesh data to environmental lighting presets. This is where formats like PKG began to show their advantages. Though PKG files are popularly associated with Sony’s PlayStation platform, their concept—a unified package bundling assets for a complete experience—fit well within the evolution of 3D content management.
The PKG file format grew in popularity as the gaming industry advanced. In earlier generations of game consoles, assets were loaded individually, often resulting in performance limitations and higher development complexity. PKG allowed developers to deliver all required components of a game or DLC—models, textures, audio, scripts—in a single, compressed, and organized file. This not only improved performance on the console but also simplified the deployment and updating process. For example, a downloadable content pack for a video game might come as a PKG file containing a new character model, its animations, voice files, and associated gameplay logic. All of this would be read by the game engine directly from the PKG, ensuring compatibility and faster loading.
This evolution was not limited to games. In macOS environments, PKG files also took on the role of installers, bundling applications and their resources in a structured way. While not always used for 3D purposes in that context, the idea of encapsulating all needed components into one package remained the same. Today, 3D PKG files are still used in interactive media, simulation training, AR/VR, and educational tools—environments where having everything self-contained and easily deployed is critical. Compared to simpler formats like OBJ, which require separate texture and material files, or even FBX, which can be bloated and proprietary, PKG files offer a balanced approach between usability and performance.
Other 3D image files also continued to evolve alongside PKG. For web-based 3D viewing, GLTF became a modern format that emphasized small file sizes and fast rendering in browsers. For more complex productions involving massive asset libraries, USD (Universal Scene Description) was developed to support layer-based workflows and scene referencing, which is especially useful in VFX and animation pipelines. Each format reflects a specific need in the 3D development ecosystem, whether it’s compatibility, real-time performance, or collaborative editing.
Given the growing number of 3D file formats and the technical barriers in opening and analyzing them, having a utility that simplifies this task is invaluable. FileMagic helps users easily identify, explore, and interact with various 3D file types, including PKG. If you’ve received a PKG file and aren’t sure what it contains or how to access the 3D assets inside, FileMagic can break down the package and show you its contents without the need for the original software or game engine. Whether you’re a developer, modder, or digital artist, FileMagic gives you an easy way to open, inspect, and even extract resources from PKG files—removing guesswork and making the process of working with 3D image files far more accessible.