FBX - Format Overview

May 15, 2025
decorative-icon

General Information

Format NameFBX
Long NameFilmbox Format
Extensions.fbx,.fbx
Internet Media Type (previously MIME)unspecified
Common Use CasesAnimation, VFX, Games, Architecture
decorative-icon

What is the FBX format, and what is it used for?

FBX is a file format mostly used for interactive 3D & rendering applications.

a screenshot of the rapidpipeline UI

100x your Productivity. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Sign Up Free
decorative-icon

Features supported by the FBX format

FeatureSupported?
Morph TargetsYes
Rigid AnimationsYes
Skinned AnimationsYes
AnimationsYes
Free-Form SurfacesNo
Geometry CompressionNo
Quad MeshesYes
Basic 3D GeometryYes
PBR MaterialsYes0
Transparent MaterialsYes
Vertex ColorsYes
MaterialsYes
Scene CompositionNo
Hierarchical Scene GraphYes
Scene NodesYes
Standardized FormatNo1
Embedded TexturesYes
Multiple UV ChannelsYes
Normal MappingYes
Procedural TexturesPartial
Texture CompressionNo
Texture TransformsYes
TexturingYes

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.

100x your Productivity. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Sign Up Free
decorative-icon

Converting and Optimizing FBX Files

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

Due to the aforementioned potential limitations of FBX, in principle, one cannot always perfectly convert 3D data between FBX and other formats. In the following, you can find format conversion guides between FBX and the most important other formats, along with a rough score for compatibility of this workflow:

Converting FBX to Other 3D File Formats

Converting Other 3D File Formats to FBX

decorative-icon

Tools that can create FBX files

...

decorative-icon

3D rendering applications that can consume FBX files

...

decorative-icon

What's the best way to get FBX files into my 3D applications?

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 files - the conversion guide above gives a rough idea. Once you know what you would like to do, tools like RapidPipeline can help you perform the necessary steps, and to automate the process.

However, especially when introducing pipelines and workflows at scale in an enterprise context, it is usually good to rely on dedicated 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. For a free initial consultation, get in touch here:

Sign up for a free account

to get started with 3D data conversion and optimization today!

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

100x your Productivity. Try RapidPipeline, for Free.

No credit card needed.

Sign Up Free

Related Articles