Supported 3D File Types

Glossi supports a wide range of 3D file formats to accommodate your existing workflow. The format you choose affects how materials and textures transfer into the platform, so we've organized them by the level of material support they provide.

Preferred File Formats

Full Material Support — .glb, .gltf, .usdz, .usd

These modern formats preserve your model's complete appearance, including all materials, textures, PBR properties (metalness, roughness, etc.), and material assignments. Models exported in these formats will look identical to how they appear in your design software.

USD / USDZ (Universal Scene Description)

Created by Pixar, USD is a versatile format for exchanging complex 3D scenes. USDZ is the zipped variant, optimized for sharing and augmented reality applications.

• Maintains detailed scene hierarchies, materials, and lighting setups

• Optimized for AR experiences

• Supports .usd, .usda, .usdc, and .usdz variants

• Our top recommendation for the most reliable material transfer

glTF / GLB (GL Transmission Format)

Developed by the Khronos Group, glTF is designed for efficient transmission and loading of 3D models. GLB is the binary variant that bundles everything into a single file.

• Optimized for real-time rendering and web-based applications

• Compact format with textures, materials, and animations included

• Widely supported across 3D tools and platforms

Partial Material Support — .fbx, .obj

These widely-used formats maintain most material information but may require minor adjustments in Studio. Basic materials transfer correctly, though some complex material properties might need refinement and texture paths may need reconnection in some cases.

FBX

A widely-used format developed by Autodesk that supports complex geometries, textures, and animations.

• Maintains high fidelity of materials and textures

• Best for detailed models with intricate textures and animations

• Some advanced material properties may need adjustment after import

OBJ

A simple, widely-supported format that includes geometry and basic material information.

• Suitable for models without complex textures or animations

• Material data is stored in a companion .mtl file — ensure both files are included when uploading

Basic Support — .stl, .step, .3mf, .dae, and more

These engineering and CAD-focused formats preserve geometry accurately but include little or no material information. Surfaces will appear as default gray until you apply materials within Glossi Studio.

Common formats in this category include:

• .stl — Standard for 3D printing and rapid prototyping

• .step / .stp — Standard for CAD data exchange

• .3mf — 3D Manufacturing Format

• .dae — COLLADA exchange format

• .ply — Point cloud and scan data

• .blend — Blender native files

• .abc — Alembic format for animation data

These formats are a good choice when you plan to apply materials entirely within Glossi Studio.

Note: Glossi supports 50+ file formats through its processing pipeline. If your format isn't listed here, try uploading it — there's a good chance it's supported.

File Size and Optimization

• Standard upload limit: 100 MB for optimal performance

• Maximum upload capacity: 1 GB for larger models

• Models exceeding 100 MB should be optimized for better performance. See our optimization guide for guidance.

Export Tips by Software

• Blender — Export as glTF/GLB with embedded textures for best results

• 3ds Max — Export as FBX with embedded media, or upload as a zip archive

• CAD programs — Export as STEP for geometry, then apply materials in Glossi Studio

• KeyShot — Export as glTF for the best material translation

Best Practices

• Assign unique materials to different parts — this helps with organization and editing in Studio

• Use clear material names — makes it easier to identify and adjust materials after import

• Check UV mapping before export — ensures textures display correctly

• Optimize geometry — reduces file size while maintaining visual quality

• Place models at origin (0,0,0) — improves automatic positioning in Studio