3D file formats · guide
What is a GLB file?
GLB is the file format behind most 3D on the web, in AR and from AI 3D generators. Here's what's inside one, how it differs from glTF, and how to open, view or convert it.
By the Kenerate AI teamUpdated 2 min read
Open the GLB viewer
Quick answer
Updated
A GLB file (.glb) is the binary, single-file version of glTF 2.0, the 3D format standardised by the Khronos Group in 2017. One GLB holds a scene's meshes, PBR materials, textures and animations, so it is compact, quick to load and the default for web 3D viewers, AR, game engines and AI 3D generators.
Key facts
- Full name
- glTF 2.0 Binary
- Made by
- Khronos Group (glTF 2.0, 2017)
- Holds
- Meshes, PBR materials, textures, animation
- Units / axis
- Metres, Y-up
- Opens in
- Browsers, Blender, Windows 3D Viewer, Unity, Unreal, Godot
- Convert to
- STL for 3D printing · USDZ for iPhone AR
On this page
What is a GLB file?
What's inside a GLB
glTF describes a 3D scene as JSON plus binary data: vertex positions, normals and UVs for the meshes, material settings, and images for textures [1][2]. A .gltf file keeps these as separate files; a .glb packs the JSON and all binary data into one file [2].
- Meshes — the triangles that make up the shape
- PBR materials — base colour, metalness, roughness, normal, occlusion, emissive [2]
- Textures — the images those materials use, embedded
- Scene graph — nodes, transforms, cameras
- Animation and skins — rigged characters and keyframes
GLB vs glTF
| .glb | .gltf | |
|---|---|---|
| Files | One binary file | A JSON file plus .bin and image files |
| Best for | Sharing, downloading, uploading | Editing by hand, debugging |
| Size | Compact | Larger if images are base64-embedded |
| Content | Same glTF 2.0 data | Same glTF 2.0 data |
Why GLB is everywhere
glTF was designed to be loaded straight onto the GPU with little processing, which is why Khronos calls it the “JPEG of 3D” [1]. It's an open, royalty-free standard, supported by three.js and other web engines, Blender, Unity, Unreal and Godot. Most AI 3D engines — including all nine in the Kenerate 3D Studio — return GLB.
Units and orientation
glTF uses metres and a right-handed, Y-up coordinate system [2]. 3D printers and CAD tools usually work Z-up in millimetres, so when you convert a GLB to STL for printing, set the size in mm and turn it Z-up — the free converter does both.
How to open a GLB file
- In a browser: the free GLB viewer (no install).
- Blender: File → Import → glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf).
- Windows: 3D Viewer opens .glb files.
- Game engines: Godot imports GLB natively; Unity and Unreal import glTF/GLB with their glTF importers.
- iPhone / iPad: convert to USDZ for AR Quick Look.
Converting GLB
| Convert to | Why | What's lost |
|---|---|---|
| STL | 3D printing | Textures, colours, animation |
| 3MF | 3D printing with units | Textures and animation |
| OBJ | Older 3D apps | PBR materials, animation |
| USDZ | AR on Apple devices | Animation (in our converter) |
How it works
How it works in the app
Step 1
Choose text, photo or multi-view
Open 3D Studio and pick how to start: describe an object, upload a photo, or add several views.
Step 2
Pick a 3D engine
Open the model card to choose the engine and version that fits your object.
Step 3
Describe the object
Write one object on a plain background, then set textures, PBR materials and quality.
Step 4
Click Build 3D model
Press Build 3D model to start — the textured model appears in your gallery.
See it in the app
Open 3D Studio and pick how to start: describe an object, upload a photo, or add several views.
FAQ
What is a GLB file?: questions
7 questions
What does GLB stand for?
GL Transmission Format Binary — the binary container for glTF 2.0.
Link to this answerIs GLB the same as glTF?
Same data, different packaging: .glb is one binary file, .gltf is JSON plus separate files.
Link to this answerHow do I open a GLB file?
Drop it into a GLB viewer in your browser, or open it in Blender, Windows 3D Viewer or a game engine.
Link to this answerCan Blender open GLB files?
Yes. Use File → Import → glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf); meshes, PBR materials, textures and animation come in together. Blender also converts glTF's Y-up axes to its own Z-up on import. To export one, use File → Export → glTF 2.0 and pick the binary .glb option.
Link to this answerCan I 3D print a GLB file?
Convert it to STL or 3MF first, set the size in millimetres and check thin parts.
Link to this answerDoes GLB support animation?
Yes — glTF supports skins and keyframe animation.
Link to this answerIs GLB free to use?
Yes. glTF is an open, royalty-free standard from the Khronos Group.
Link to this answerOpen the GLB viewer
Need to view, convert or print a GLB? The free tools run in your browser.