Supported 3D File Types

At Glossi, we prioritize compatibility and quality to ensure your 3D models look stunning right from the start. Our platform supports a wide range of file formats to accommodate your existing workflow while delivering exceptional results.

Preferred File Formats

We've organized supported file formats based on how they handle materials and textures, which significantly impacts your visualization experience:

1. Full Material Support (.glb, .gltf, usdz, .usd)

With these formats, your models will look identical to how they appear in your design software, providing the smoothest workflow and best results. These modern formats preserve your model's complete appearance, including:

• All materials and textures

• PBR properties (metalness, roughness, etc.)

• Material assignments to geometry

.USD, .USDZ (Universal Scene Description Zip)

Created by Pixar, USDZ is a versatile format for exchanging complex 3D scenes, optimized for sharing and augmented reality (AR) applications. It's best for complex scenes requiring detailed material and lighting information, AR assets, and scenarios where seamless sharing is essential. Read more about USDZ here

• Benefits:

  • Top Recommendation: USDZ is highly recommended for its ability to maintain detailed scene hierarchies, materials, and lighting setups.

  • Optimized for AR: Ideal for augmented reality experiences, ensuring seamless integration with AR platforms.

  • Efficient Sharing: The zip variant allows for easy sharing without compromising on quality.

• Best For: Complex scenes requiring detailed material and lighting information, AR assets, and scenarios where seamless sharing is essential.

glTF, GLB (GL Transmission Format)

Developed by the Khronos Group, glTF is designed for efficient transmission and loading of 3D models. It's best for models intended for real-time rendering and web-based applications.

• Benefits:

  • Optimized for Web: Ideal for real-time rendering and web-based applications.

  • Compact Format: Supports textures, materials, and animations in a compact format, reducing load times.

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2. Partial Material Support (.fbx, .obj)

Models in these formats typically look good on import but might benefit from minor material tweaks in Studio. These widely-used formats maintain most material information but may require some adjustments:

• Basic materials transfer correctly

• Some complex material properties might need refinement

• Texture paths may need reconnection in some cases

.FBX

A widely-used format developed by Autodesk, FBX supports complex geometries, textures, and animations. It's best for detailed models with intricate textures and animations.

• Benefits: Maintains high fidelity of materials and textures, ensuring accurate representation from other software.

OBJ

A simple format that supports geometry and basic material information. Suitable for models without complex textures.

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3. Basic Support (.stl, .step, .iges, and more)

These engineering-focused formats preserve geometry but not materials:

• Geometry imports accurately

• No material information is included

• Surfaces appear as default gray

These formats are perfect when you plan to apply materials entirely within Glossi Studio.

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Best Practices for Model Preparation:

For the best experience with any file format make sure your model is exported with these settings. Read more on model preperation here...

• Export Settings:

  • Assign unique materials to different parts - this helps with organization and editing

  • Use clear material names - makes editing more efficient after import

  • Check UV mapping - ensures textures display correctly

  • Optimize geometry - reduces file size while maintaining visual quality

  • Place models at origin (0,0,0) - improves automatic positioning

• File Size and Optimization

  • Standard upload limit: 100MB for optimal performance

  • Maximum upload capacity: 1000MB for larger models

  • Recommendation: Optimize models exceeding 100MB for better performance

Tips for Specific Source Software

If you're exporting from:

• Blender: Export as glTF/GLB with embedded textures

• 3DS Max: FBX with embedded media or upload as a 3DS Max Zip Archive

• CAD programs: STEP for geometry, then apply materials in Glossi

• KeyShot: Export as glTF for best material translation

Getting Help

If you encounter any issues with file imports or have questions about optimizing your models:

• View our detailed preparation guide for software-specific workflows

• Contact our support team for personalized assistance

• Submit feedback on format support to help us improve

Our goal is to make the transition from your 3D software to Glossi as seamless as possible, preserving your creative vision while enabling powerful visualization capabilities.