The Complete VRM to glTF Conversion Guide

May 15, 2025
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General Information

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

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Converting and Optimizing VRM Files to glTF

There are various ways to convert between VRM and glTF. With RapidPipeline, you can easily convert and and optimize VRM files, at scale. It supports glTF, as well as many other file formats (examples: 3dsMax, FBX, OBJ, PLY, STEP, STL, USD, USDZ), at high quality.

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

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What are VRM and glTF files commonly used for?

The VRM file is a format mostly used for animated 3D avatar models.
The glTF file is a format mostly used for interactive 3D, on the Web and elsewhere (e.g., in XR).

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Comparison of Features Supported by VRM and glTF

FeatureSupported by VRMSupported by glTF
Morph TargetsYesYes
Rigid AnimationsYesYes
Skinned AnimationsYesYes
AnimationsYesYes
Free-Form SurfacesNoNo
Geometry CompressionYesYes
Quad MeshesNoNo
Basic 3D GeometryYesYes
PBR MaterialsYesYes
Transparent MaterialsYesYes
Vertex ColorsYesYes
MaterialsYesYes
Scene CompositionNoNo
Hierarchical Scene GraphYesYes
Scene NodesYesYes
Standardized FormatYes0Yes
Embedded TexturesYesYes
Multiple UV ChannelsYesYes
Normal MappingYesYes
Procedural TexturesNoNo
Texture CompressionYesYes
Texture TransformsYesYes
TexturingYesYes

0 - VRM relies on the glTF format for storage of mesh and texture data.

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Limitations of VRM Files to glTF Conversion Workflow

The following limitations should be taken into account when converting VRM files to glTF format:

VRM Feature (not supported by glTF)Limitation Details
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What's the best way to get VRM files into my 3D applications, and are there alternatives to using glTF?

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 VRM and glTF 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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Meet the Author

Victor Mops

DGG Team

The 3D Pipeline Company

DGG is on a mission to connect the real and virtual by making 3D models as easy to handle as 2D images.