The Complete FBX to Rhino 3DM 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 Rhino 3DM, if you'd like to know more about the formats, please check out the following links:

Converting and Optimizing FBX Files to Rhino 3DM

There are various ways to convert between FBX and Rhino 3DM. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize FBX files, at scale. It supports Rhino 3DM, 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 Rhino 3DM files commonly used for?

The FBX file is a format mostly used for interactive 3D & rendering applications.
The Rhino 3DM file is a format mostly used for NURBS-based 3D modeling and design.

a screenshot of the rapidpipeline UI

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Comparison of Features Supported by FBX and Rhino 3DM

FeatureSupported by FBXSupported by Rhino 3DM
Morph TargetsYesNo
Rigid AnimationsYesNo
Skinned AnimationsYesNo
AnimationsYesNo
Free-Form SurfacesNoYes
Geometry CompressionNoNo
Quad MeshesYesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsYes0Yes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionNoYes
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatNo1Partial2
Embedded TexturesYesPartial3
Multiple UV ChannelsYesYes
Normal MappingYesYes
Procedural TexturesPartialPartial4
Texture CompressionNoNo
Texture TransformsYesYes
TexturingYesYes

0 - Multiple PBR models are supported as there is no standard for materials in FBX.
1 - 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.
2 - Proprietary format with open specification (openNURBS)
3 - Textures can be embedded in the 3DM file
4 - Basic procedural material support

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Limitations of FBX Files to Rhino 3DM Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting FBX files to Rhino 3DM format:

FBX Feature (not supported by Rhino 3DM)Limitation Details
Embedded Textures

Embedded Textures Support:

FBX: Full support | Rhino 3DM: Partial support

Embedded Textures illustratedlack of support for Embedded Textures illustrated

Rhino 3DM Notes:

Textures can be embedded in the 3DM file

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.

Animations

Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Animations illustratedlack of support for Animations illustrated

Impact:

Animations are an important part of many interactive 3D assets, for example in real-time rendering (including games, XR training, assembly instructions, product demos, and other use cases). There are various kinds of animations that can be used on 3D models. In this example model, a rigid animation is used to make the gears spin. Without support for this feature, in this example, the gears won't move.

Skinned Animations

Skinned Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Skinned Animations illustratedlack of support for Skinned Animations illustrated

Impact:

Skinned animations are commonly used for 3D character models in interactive applications, such as games or virtual worlds. They make it possible to easily animate the 3D model using a helper structure based on virtual bones, composing a virtual skeleton for animation control. In this example, a skinned animation is used to pose a 3D character. Without support for skinned animations, the 3D model will remain in its default pose, such as the default T-pose.

Morph Targets

Morph Targets Support:

FBX: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Morph Targets illustratedlack of support for Morph Targets illustrated

Impact:

Morph Targets, or "Blend Shapes", are commonly used to animate facial expressions and soft surfaces, for example cloth under a cloth simulation. They model various states of the animations with different vertex positions. In contrast to skinned animations, morph targets do not use any virtual bones, but work solely on the vertex data. In this example, a facial animation is achieved through morph targets. Without suport for this feature, in this example, the face will not show the animation.

Rigid Animations

Rigid Animations Support:

FBX: Full support | Rhino 3DM: No support

Rigid Animations illustratedlack of support for Rigid Animations illustrated

Impact:

Rigid Animations are typically used to animate mechanical parts. In this example, the door of this 3D model of a microwave can be interactively opened or closed, using a rigid animation that gradually changes the 3D transformation of the door. Without support for this feature, in this example, the door will just stay in place and won't move.

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

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 Rhino 3DM 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.

Best-in-Class 3D Processing. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Try for Free

Meet the Author

author image

3D Knowledge Team

3D Technical Artists

RapidPipeline lets you convert, optimize and prepare your 3D models, easily.
Try it today, or meet our human 3D experts. The Best-in-Class Tools for Your 3D Processing Jobs