.gltf

What is a .gltf file?

glTF is the open standard for 3D scenes — compact, fast to parse, often called 'the JPEG of 3D.'

Safe format
Type Cad
By Khronos Group
MIME model/gltf+json

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What is it

You're building a web 3D experience, an AR application, or a product viewer. glTF (GL Transmission Format) is the open standard for 3D scenes — compact, fast to parse, and designed for real-time rendering rather than offline production. It's been called "the JPEG of 3D," and the comparison is apt.

glTF was developed by the Khronos Group (the same organisation behind OpenGL, Vulkan, and WebGL). The format is JSON-based — you can open a .gltf file in a text editor and read the scene graph, materials, and animation data directly. Textures and mesh data are stored in external .bin and image files (or embedded in a single GLB file). glTF 2.0 supports PBR (physically-based rendering) materials, skeletal animation, morph targets, and extensions for advanced features.

Blender, Windows 3D Viewer, and every major game engine import glTF. Three.js and Babylon.js render it natively in the browser. For sharing 3D models on the web, glTF/GLB is the standard — it's efficient, open, and universally supported by modern 3D tools.

Technical details
Full Name
GL Transmission Format
MIME Type
model/gltf+json
Developer
Khronos Group
Magic Bytes
N/A
Safety
.gltf is a known, safe format.
What opens it
Any modern browser (via three.js)
FREE Web
Blender
FREE All
Windows 3D Viewer
FREE Windows
FAQ
Is glTF better than OBJ?
For modern use cases, yes. glTF supports PBR materials, animation, and a proper scene graph — OBJ only stores geometry and basic materials. OBJ is simpler for static meshes; glTF is better for anything that needs to look good or move.
Can I use glTF for 3D printing?
You can, but STL or 3MF are the standard formats for 3D printing. glTF is optimised for real-time rendering (web, games, AR), not manufacturing. Export to STL from your CAD tool for printing.
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