Collada is an open standard file format used for 3D models and animations. It allows different software applications to share and exchange 3D data easily, making it a popular choice in industries like gaming, film, and virtual reality. The format supports various features, including geometry, textures, and lighting, ensuring that 3D assets maintain their quality across different platforms. Developed by the Khronos Group, Collada stands for "Collaborative Design Activity." It is designed to be flexible and extensible, allowing developers to add new features as needed. This adaptability has contributed to its widespread adoption in 3D content creation and visualization.