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FBX vs OBJ vs GLB: Which 3D File Format Should You Use?

·todo3ds

Three Formats, Three Philosophies

Almost every 3D model you download comes in at least one of these formats: FBX, OBJ or GLB. They can all describe a mesh, but they were designed for very different jobs. Choosing the wrong one can mean lost materials, missing animations or a file that is ten times larger than it needs to be.

This guide compares them side by side so you can pick the right format the first time.

OBJ: The Universal Mesh Format

OBJ was created by Wavefront Technologies in the 1980s and is still one of the most widely supported 3D formats in existence.

What it stores

  • Geometry: vertices, normals, UV coordinates and faces
  • Basic material references through a separate .mtl file
  • Textures as external image files

What it does not store

  • Animations, rigs or bones
  • Cameras and lights
  • Modern PBR materials (only partially, through unofficial extensions)

Strengths

  • Plain text, easy to read and debug
  • Opens in practically every 3D tool, slicer and viewer ever made
  • Great for static props, sculpts and 3D printing workflows

Weaknesses

  • Multiple files to keep together (.obj, .mtl and textures)
  • Large file sizes for dense meshes because it is text-based
  • No animation support at all

FBX: The Industry Workhorse

FBX was developed by Kaydara and is now owned by Autodesk. It became the de facto exchange format between DCC tools (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Cinema 4D) and game engines.

What it stores

  • Geometry, UVs, normals and vertex colors
  • Materials and texture references (textures can be embedded)
  • Skeletons, skin weights and blend shapes
  • Keyframe animations, cameras and lights
  • Full scene hierarchy

Strengths

  • The standard import format for Unity and Unreal Engine
  • Handles rigged and animated characters reliably
  • Supported by every major commercial 3D package

Weaknesses

  • Proprietary and not fully documented, so different exporters behave differently
  • Material conversion between applications is often imperfect
  • Version mismatches (FBX 2014 vs 2020) can cause import problems

GLB: The Modern Web Standard

GLB is the binary form of glTF 2.0, an open standard from the Khronos Group. It was designed for efficient transmission and real-time rendering.

What it stores

  • Geometry, UVs and normals in GPU-friendly buffers
  • PBR materials (metallic/roughness) as part of the core spec
  • Embedded textures in a single file
  • Skeletons, skinning, morph targets and animations

Strengths

  • One self-contained file
  • Compact, and can be compressed further with Draco or Meshopt
  • Native support in Three.js, Babylon.js, model-viewer, Android Scene Viewer and many AR tools
  • Consistent PBR materials across applications

Weaknesses

  • Less common in older desktop pipelines
  • Some engine importers still need a plugin
  • Not ideal for heavy editing workflows that rely on application-specific data

Want a deeper dive? Read our guide on what a GLB file is.

Quick Recommendations

Use OBJ when

  • You only need a static mesh
  • You are preparing a model for 3D printing or sculpting
  • Maximum compatibility matters more than features

Use FBX when

  • You are importing into Unity or Unreal Engine
  • The model is rigged or animated
  • You are moving assets between Maya, 3ds Max, Blender and Cinema 4D

Use GLB when

  • The model will be shown on a website, in AR or in a web game
  • You want one file with PBR materials that look the same everywhere
  • File size and loading speed are important

Converting Between Formats

Blender is the easiest free tool for converting between all three formats: import with File → Import and export with File → Export. A few tips:

  • OBJ → GLB: check that textures are connected to a Principled BSDF before exporting, so they end up embedded in the GLB.
  • FBX → GLB: apply transforms (Ctrl+A) and check the scale; FBX files often use centimeters while glTF uses meters.
  • GLB → FBX: enable "Embed Textures" and set the path mode to "Copy" so textures travel with the file.

For batch processing, command-line tools like gltf-transform and Assimp can convert and optimize hundreds of files automatically.

Find Models in the Format You Need

When you buy a model, always check which formats are included. On todo3ds every product page lists its available formats, so you know what you are getting before you buy.