Supported 3D File Format Overview

3D File Format Overview

glTF (GL Transmission Format)

Best For: Real-time rendering & web

• JSON-based format with external binary and texture files
• Supports geometry, PBR materials, animation, cameras, lights
• Efficient, extensible, and widely adopted
• Open standard by Khronos Group

GLB (Binary glTF)

Best For: Mobile/web delivery

• Binary version of glTF in a single compact file
• Contains JSON, binary buffers, and textures
• Fast loading and ideal for web/mobile apps
• Open standard by Khronos Group

FBX (Filmbox)

Best For: Complex animation pipelines

• Proprietary format by Autodesk
• Supports geometry, animation, rigging, cameras, lights
• Widely used in game engines and film production
• Requires Autodesk SDK for full access

DAE (COLLADA)

Best For: Collaborative asset exchange

• XML-based format maintained by Khronos Group
• Supports geometry, animation, physics, cameras, lights
• ISO-certified open standard
• Extensible but can be inefficient due to XML verbosity

OBJ (Wavefront Object)

Best For: Simple geometry exchange

• Text-based format developed by Wavefront Technologies
• Supports polygonal geometry, texture coordinates, normals
• Materials defined via external .MTL files
• No animation or scene hierarchy

3DS (3D Studio Mesh)

Best For: Legacy game assets

• Binary format developed by Autodesk
• Supports mesh geometry, materials, basic animation
• Limited to triangular meshes and 65,536 vertices
• Outdated but still used in older pipelines

📊 Format Comparison Table