Format Atlas

Guides

Handing off 3D assets with their dependencies

Separate finished-asset delivery from editable-scene exchange. Check referenced files and recipient capabilities, then verify appearance and motion in an independent workspace.

Which format should you choose?

Choose by the role each file plays in your workflow.

  • Define the state to deliver
  • Inventory external references
  • Compare in an independent environment

Define the state to deliver

Record the scene, selected variants, animation range, units and up axis. Keep the original authoring files and agree whether the recipient needs editable composition or a display copy.

Inventory external references

Inspect glTF buffers and images, and USD external layers, references and textures. Include required files and path-resolution requirements. GLB can still reference external resources. Check required extensions, schemas and compression support at the destination.

Compare in an independent environment

Open with the recipient's tools in a fresh workspace. Check that original absolute paths or caches are not supplying missing resources. Compare dimensions, axes, materials, textures and sample frames; document lost editing information and representation differences.

Formats to consider

glTF

Good for: Delivering finished assets to compatible applications

Less suitable for: Assuming GLB means no external files are needed

USD

Good for: Exchanging editable scenes using layers and references

Less suitable for: Distributing one file without checking composition and dependencies

Before you export

  • Check licensing and sharing scope for models, images and materials. Inspect automatic external connections; do not install unverified plugins unconditionally.
  • Keep an inventory, checksums and export settings. Successful display does not prove preservation of editing structure or identical appearance in every tool.

Related comparisons

glTF vs USDglTF is designed to deliver 3D models and scenes efficiently to applications. USD is a scene-description framework for composing assets and layers, often used in larger production and collaboration workflows.FBX vs glTFFBX is used to exchange 3D production scenes; glTF is designed for efficient runtime delivery of 3D assets.USD vs FBXUSD is a scene-description foundation for composing multiple assets, while FBX is widely used to exchange 3D production data. Their fit depends on the pipeline and on what the receiving tools preserve.

Guides

Choose a 3D file formatSeparate web display, production scene exchange, geometry transfer, and printing; check whether materials, animation, and units must survive.

References and specifications