The Complete FBX to COLLADA Conversion Guide.

August 01, 2025

General Information

This guide is part of the RapidPipeline 3D Formats Knowledge Database. It shows how to convert FBX to COLLADA, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing FBX Files to COLLADA

There are various ways to convert between FBX and COLLADA. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize FBX files, at scale. It supports COLLADA, as well as many other file formats (examples: glTF, OBJ, PLY, STL, USD, USDZ, VRM), at high quality.

Below you can find a video explaining how to convert your files:

What are FBX and COLLADA files commonly used for?

The FBX file is a format mostly used for interactive 3D & rendering applications.
The COLLADA file is a format mostly used for 3D asset exchange for digital content creation.

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Comparison of Features Supported by FBX and COLLADA

FeatureSupported by FBXSupported by COLLADA
Morph TargetsYesYes
Rigid AnimationsYesYes
Skinned AnimationsYesYes
AnimationsYesYes
Free-Form SurfacesNoPartial0
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsYes1Partial2
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionNoYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatNo3Yes
Embedded TexturesYesNo
Multiple UV ChannelsYesYes
Normal MappingYesYes
Procedural TexturesPartialPartial4
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsYesYes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Limited NURBS support, primarily polygonal
1 - Multiple PBR models are supported as there is no standard for materials in FBX.
2 - Basic PBR support through material extensions
3 - Compatibility of all properties strongly depend on particular compatibility of the tools that export / import the DCC file, as there is no clear standard for this format.
4 - Basic procedural material definitions

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Limitations of FBX Files to COLLADA Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting FBX files to COLLADA format:

FBX Feature (not supported by COLLADA)Limitation Details
Embedded Textures

Embedded Textures Support:

FBX: Full support | COLLADA: No support

Embedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated

Impact:

Embedded textures allow the storage and exchange of an entire 3D model and its materials within a single file, by embedding the texture images directly into the 3D file (and not storing them as separate image files). Without support for this feature, textures have to be stored in separate image files, and referenced from the main 3D model file.

PBR Materials

PBR Materials Support:

FBX: Full support | COLLADA: Partial support

PBR Materials illustratedlack of support for PBR Materials illustrated

FBX Notes:

Multiple PBR models are supported as there is no standard for materials in FBX.

COLLADA Notes:

Basic PBR support through material extensions

Impact:

PBR materials enable Physically-Based-Rendering (PBR) for a standardized, photorealistic look of rendered images. PBR uses concepts like metallic-roughness or specular-glossiness properties and a microfacet-based modeling of the surface, using a concept called BRDF (Bi-Directional Reflectance Distribution Function). In this example, PBR materials are used to achieve realistic looking plastic and metal materials. Without support for PBR materials, only basic colors and shading can be used (for example, based on more simple shading models, such as the Blinn/Phong model).

What's the best way to get FBX files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using COLLADA?

Doing 3D conversion right, especially at scale, can be tricky, as 3D data is in general a rather complex (yet very powerful!) medium. This also applies to FBX and COLLADA files - the conversion guide above provides a rough first idea about that. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to even automate the process for thousands or even millions of files.

Especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated tools and expertise, making sure you do not introduce any steps into your 3D workflow that are detrimental to the final output's quality, or that take your team too much time (and money).

If you're interested to hire dedicated expertise from the best in the field to help your company reach your goals fast and reliably, please do not hestitate to contact DGG. Being the creators of RapidPipeline, and ambassadors for open 3D standards for more than a decade, we have been building some of the world's most advanced 3D pipelines, having processed many millions of 3D assets.

Therefore, our expertise will help you to reach your goals faster, at scale, and with the least possible friction, since we are focused on maximum interoperability.

To get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today, sign up for a free account!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with our human team.

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3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

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