JT Format (ISO 14306)

JT (Jupiter Tessellation) is an openly published 3D CAD data exchange format standardized as ISO 14306. Originally developed by Engineering Animation Inc. and Hewlett-Packard and now stewarded by Siemens Digital Industries Software, JT is the dominant choice for lightweight 3D viewing, downstream consumption, and supplier collaboration in the discrete-manufacturing world.

Scope

JT supports tessellated geometry with multiple levels of detail, optional B-rep geometry for downstream interoperability, PMI for MBD, and product-structure metadata. Recent ISO 14306-1:2024, 14306-2:2024, and 14306-3:2025 updates split the standard into overview, vocabulary, and version-2 specification parts.

Relationships (see sidebar)

• Normative for the JT Visualization capability and supports Model-Based Definition downstream consumption.
• Companion to ISO 10303-242 (STEP AP242) — STEP is for full geometry interchange; JT is for lightweight visualization and digital mock-up.

Steward

ISO/TC 184/SC 4 (Industrial automation systems and integration — Industrial data); origin: Siemens Digital Industries Software.