What is a FBX file?

FBX is the interchange format that carries rigged, animated 3D scenes between authoring tools and game engines. It handles skeletons, skinning, cameras and lights that simpler formats drop. It is proprietary to Autodesk, which is why open pipelines increasingly prefer glTF.

At a glance

Full name: Filmbox
Extensions: .fbx
Type: 3D model
Introduced: 1996
Created by: Kaydara, now owned by Autodesk
Compression: Both
MIME type: application/octet-stream

Strengths

Carries rigs, skinned meshes, animation, cameras and lights
The de facto standard for game engine asset pipelines
Widely supported across professional 3D software

Limitations

Proprietary, with no fully open specification
Version differences cause real interoperability problems
Heavier than needed for simple static geometry

When to use FBX

Use it when

Moving animated or rigged assets into a game engine.

Avoid it when

Delivering to the web or AR, or printing. Convert to GLB or STL.

Convert FBX files

Every tool below runs in your browser unless it is labelled otherwise, so the file stays on your device.

FBX to GLB Converter

Converts Autodesk FBX files, animation included, into GLB for three.js scenes, Unity and Godot projects, and AR pipelines.

FBX compared

GLB vs FBX OBJ vs FBX

Related 3d model formats

STL GLB OBJ USDZ

Last updated 2026-08-03