Choosing a 3D File Format
Compare GLB, glTF, STL, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, and 3MF by texture support and destination, then choose a format for printing, game engines, web use, or AR.
The right 3D file format depends on where the asset is going next. GLB and glTF suit web and real-time workflows, STL and 3MF suit 3D printing, FBX and OBJ support common content pipelines, and USDZ is intended for Apple augmented reality experiences.
Compare the formats
Which 3D file format should I choose?
| Format | What it is | Texture support | Typical destination | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLB | A single binary package for a glTF scene | Yes, textures can be embedded | Web viewers, sharing, real-time applications | You want one portable file with geometry, materials, and textures |
| glTF | An open scene format commonly represented by JSON plus related resources | Yes, embedded or external | Web tools, game engines, pipeline handoff | You need a standards-based scene format and can manage related files when present |
| STL | A triangle-mesh geometry format | No | 3D printing and slicers | You need simple printable geometry without materials or textures |
| OBJ | A widely supported geometry exchange format | Through companion MTL and image files | 3D editing tools and broad pipeline exchange | You need simple geometry that many tools can read |
| FBX | A content exchange format for geometry and richer scene data | Yes, depending on how the file is packaged | Game engines and digital content creation tools | Your next tool expects FBX or you generate with the quad option enabled |
| USDZ | A packaged USD asset | Yes | Apple AR experiences | The destination is an Apple augmented reality workflow |
| 3MF | A packaged additive-manufacturing format | Can include color, materials, and textures | 3D printing and slicers | Your printing workflow needs more manufacturing data than STL carries |
Match the format to the destination
Which format should I use for 3D printing?
Choose STL when the slicer only needs the surface geometry. Choose 3MF when the printing workflow needs packaged color, material, texture, or other manufacturing information.
Which format should I use for a game engine?
Choose FBX when the engine or an established content pipeline expects it. Choose GLB or glTF for a compact, standards-based real-time asset workflow. OBJ suits cases where the target tool needs broad geometry compatibility and a separate material file is acceptable.
Which format should I use for web viewing or AR?
Choose GLB when you want a self-contained file for web delivery. Choose glTF when separate scene resources fit the pipeline. Choose USDZ for Apple AR destinations.
Opolyo format behavior
What format does generation produce?
Generation produces GLB by default. When the quad option is checked, the provider returns FBX instead.
| Generation setting | Output format |
|---|---|
| Quad option not checked | GLB |
| Quad option checked | FBX |
Which files work with in-browser preview and export?
In-browser 3D preview works only on GLB assets. In-browser STL and OBJ export also work only on GLB assets. Other asset formats can still be downloaded in their own format, but they do not use these GLB-only viewport and export features.
| Feature | Supported source format |
|---|---|
| 3D preview in the browser | GLB only |
| STL export in the browser | GLB only |
| OBJ export in the browser | GLB only |
Which files can I upload to the converter?
The converter accepts the following inputs, with a limit of 100 MB for each file.
| Accepted input | Per-file limit |
|---|---|
| GLB | 100 MB |
| glTF | 100 MB |
| FBX | 100 MB |
| OBJ | 100 MB |
| STL | 100 MB |
Available destinations are FBX, OBJ, STL, glTF, USDZ, and 3MF.
Conversion credit cost
How many credits does a format conversion use?
| Conversion settings | Credit cost |
|---|---|
| Standard conversion | 2 credits |
| Any advanced parameter enabled | 3 credits total |
The advanced price applies once when any advanced parameter is used. It does not combine with generation surcharges.