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Being in the 3d industry you will most likely see these file types from 3d asset stores like Sketchfab.com, Cgtrader, and many more, it's essential to know the advantages and limitations of these file formats, to optimize your workflow and save you space and time.
Table Of Content
FBX
FBX is a widely supported format by most 3D software and game engines, FBX supports complex animations, including skeletal rigs, keyframe animations, and morph targets, it retains texture and material information, making it ideal for character animation and interactive experiences.
Cons:
File Size: FBX files tend to be larger compared to other formats, due to their animation compatibility Although Autodesk provides an SDK for working with FBX files, the format itself is proprietary, which may limit its long-term accessibility and compatibility.
OBJ (Wavefront Object)
OBJ files are among the oldest 3D file formats and are supported majorly by all 3D Software these make it easier to collaborate and share props among 3d Artists. OBJ files are human-readable and good for debugging and manual editing if needed.
Cons:
Limited Animation Support: OBJ files don't support animations or rigging, so they are primarily suited for static models and scenes.
Lack of Material Information: OBJ files usually lose texture and material information during export/import, requiring manual adjustments to reapply materials in some cases.
GLTF (GL Transmission Format)
GLTF files are highly optimized for web and real-time rendering, with support for compression and streaming. GLTF natively supports physically-based rendering (PBR) materials, ensuring consistent visual quality across platforms. Aside from its huge support library, GLTF is also an open standard developed by the Khronos Group, accessible across different software and platforms.
Cons:
Limited Animation Support: While GLTF supports basic animations like skeletal animations, it doesn't fully support complex animation workflows compared to FBX.
USDZ (Universal Scene Description)
The USDZ format was developed by Apple to optimize viewing 3d models on the web. It is specifically designed for AR applications, making it an ideal choice for creating 3D content for platforms like iOS.
Another advantage of using USDZ files is the size, USDZ files are the smallest in size. A 75 MB FBX file could be brought down to 4 or 5 MB USDZ of the same model with all the texture details still intact. USDZ comes in a one-file format so you don't need to worry about your texture folder location or importing textures.
Cons:
Limited Software Support: While USDZ is gaining traction, it may not be as widely supported as other formats, particularly outside of the AR ecosystem, and does not give as much flexibility as other formats.
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