The business goal was to build a new application for 3D artists, animators, multimedia developers, media production houses and everyone else who wants to collect, manage and convert 3D objects. Meshbox is more than just a file converter, it is a powerful new tool for organizing 3D content into searchable projects and sharable collections.

The major challenge was to design a modulear cross-platform software architecture supporting thrid-party plug-ins. To accomplish this goal the wxWindows / wxWidget C++ SDK was selected. The software architecure was designed to be effectively ported to other platforms (Macintosh and Linux).

OpenGL technology was selected to provide object preview functionality with texture and light support, as well as zoom/rotate/revolve functions and wireframe/solid modes.

One of the most important Meshbox features is the object conversion to and from the most popular 3D file formats: 3D Studio MAX format (3DS), LightWave format (LWO), TrueSpace (COB), Apple Computer's 3DMF format, Expression Tools Shade (SHD) and WaveFront OBJ. It also supports Shockwave 3D (W3D) and Viewpoint (VET) 3D web formats for export.

To provide this complex functionality an internal 3D format was designed and implemented. This format supports vertices, meshs, textures, materials, lights, cameras to enable seamless conversion between different 3D formats.

A robust database back-end is based on the Paradigma Software Valentina DB engine. This allows 3D objects to be stored in collections and include both keyword and description based searches. Combined with conversion functions, designers can transfer or batch covert volumes of 3D objects into Collections.

XML format was selected to keep the vital information about 3D objects, Projects and Collections for increased productivity. Users can also assign keywords and descriptions to objects, Collections and Projects themselves so they can be easily searched and found.

A highly productive file browser allows users to create, move and append objects, Projects and Collections without opening the files themselves. Meshbox 1.0 also includes minor productivity enhancements such as a built in object finder, tool manager and preferences for creating custom command key and keyword profiles.

End-user features:

• Project Management (users can collect 3D objects and 3D object Collections into individual Meshbox Projects).
• Production Management (users can collect, search, sort and "batch manage" their 3D projects, on a Meshbox Project basis, or on a production basis through storage of objects in Meshbox Collections).
• OpenGL Preview (users can preview their 3D objects using an OpenGL rendered preview, as well as zoom, rotate and revolve the objects to see them from every side).
• Object Conversion (users can convert their 3D objects to and from the most popular formats for 3D production: .3DS, .3DMF, .OBJ, .SHD, .LWO, .COB, .W3D, .VET).
• Export to the Web (Meshbox comes with special export functionality for Macromedia Shockwave 3D and Viewpoint Corporation's VET file formats).
• File Batch Conversion (users can select singular or multiple 3D objects, folders with objects, objects in different locations and batch convert them).
• Powerful Find and Sort (users can search and sort their 3D objects using keywords, within Meshbox Projects or Meshbox Collections).

Further development plans include porting the software to other platforms (Macintosh and Linux) and adding more 3D file formats.