---
id: pycollada
version: "0.9.3"
license: BSD
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# pycollada — python library for reading and writing collada documents

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 3.4M/mo

## What it is and what it does

pycollada is a Python library for working with COLLADA files, the standard interchange format for 3D graphics and interactive applications. It lets you load existing COLLADA (.dae) files into Python objects you can inspect and modify, or construct new COLLADA documents programmatically from scratch. The library depends on numpy for numerical operations and python-dateutil for timestamp handling.

The package is used by established 3D tools for COLLADA import and export, as well as specialized mesh processing. It bridges Python workflows with the broader 3D graphics ecosystem, though its aging maintenance status means updates and bug fixes arrive slowly.

Use it for:

- Import COLLADA 3D models into Python for analysis, transformation, or conversion to other formats.
- Programmatically generate COLLADA files from Python geometry data for use in 3D applications.
- Batch process or validate COLLADA documents as part of a 3D asset pipeline.
- Integrate COLLADA support into Python-based tools that work with 3D interchange formats.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

pycollada reads, writes, and edits COLLADA 3D interchange files as Python objects, supporting both loading existing files and creating new ones from scratch.

Yes, if you need to read or write COLLADA files in Python and can tolerate slow maintenance cycles. The library is stable, has no known vulnerabilities, and low install friction. However, verify that its COLLADA feature coverage meets your needs and be prepared for delayed responses to issues given the aging status.

## Install

pip install pycollada
uv add pycollada
poetry add pycollada

## Installing pycollada

Before you install: Low install friction with only two runtime dependencies (python-dateutil and numpy). Maintenance status is aging—last release was 202 days ago—so expect slower response to issues, though the package has been stable since its first release.

License in practice: BSD license is permissive, allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required but no copyleft obligations.

Quickstart:

pip install pycollada

import pycollada
mesh = pycollada.Collada('model.dae')

Requires numpy, which has compiled dependencies; COLLADA file path must exist and be readable.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package supports the full COLLADA specification or a subset.
- Current state of community support responsiveness via the mailing list.
- Compatibility with modern Python versions beyond what 'unspecified' indicates.
- Specific feature coverage needed for your 3D workflow.

## Package facts

- License: BSD (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 3.4M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

collada file format python, 3d model interchange library, collada reader writer, load edit collada files, 3d geometry python module, 3d-graphics, file-format

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/pycollada) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pycollada/)