What is .fbx?

.fbx (Filmbox) is a 3D scene format that can store meshes, materials, cameras, lights, skeletons, skinning, and animations in a single file. Originally developed by Kaydara and now owned by Autodesk, FBX is widely used in film, VFX, and game pipelines as an interchange format for complex 3D assets.

This quick guide explains when to use .fbx files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.

When to use .fbx files

You are exchanging animated or rigged 3D assets between tools like Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, or MotionBuilder.
You need to preserve skeletons, skin weights, morph targets, and keyframe animation in a single file.
You are importing character or environment assets into game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
You are receiving assets from studios or marketplaces where FBX is the standard delivery format.

How to open .fbx files

FBX files open in major 3D DCC tools including Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, and Blender (via the built-in FBX importer). Game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine can import FBX as static or animated meshes. For viewing and quick inspection, tools like Autodesk FBX Review, Blender, or online 3D viewers can display FBX scenes. When you upload FBX files to FileXhost, they are shared as downloadable 3D assets for collaborators to import into their preferred tools.

Algorithm details

FBX supports both ASCII (text) and binary encodings. The binary variant is most common in modern pipelines. The format organizes data into a hierarchical node graph that describes geometry, materials, cameras, lights, skeletons, and animation curves. It can embed or reference external textures and stores transforms, skinning weights, and keyframes with high precision, making it suitable for complex character rigs and motion capture data.

Browser & platform support

Desktop: Browsers do not natively render FBX files, but WebGL/WebGPU viewers and engines can load FBX via conversion or loaders (often converting to glTF first).
Mobile: Mobile apps for 3D viewing and AR sometimes support FBX, though glTF/GLB is increasingly preferred for on-device rendering.
OS: Operating systems rely on installed 3D tools or viewers to open FBX; there is typically no built-in preview.

Format comparison

Feature	Details
Features	FBX supports advanced scene data including animations, rigs, constraints, and cameras, unlike simple mesh-only formats like OBJ or STL.
Interoperability	Widely adopted in commercial 3D tools and game engines, but controlled by Autodesk and not as open as glTF.
Runtime Use	Common as an authoring and interchange format; glTF/GLB is often used as the optimized runtime delivery format on web and mobile.
File Size	Binary FBX files can be compact but may still be larger than optimized, compressed glTF assets.

How to create fbx files

3D DCC Tools: Export FBX from Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Blender, Cinema 4D, and other modeling/animation tools.
Motion Capture Pipelines: Many mocap systems export animation data as FBX for retargeting and editing.
Game and VFX Assets: Studios ship character rigs, props, and environment pieces as FBX between departments.
Conversion Tools: Use converters to transform OBJ, Collada, or other formats into FBX for integration with specific tools.

How to convert fbx files

FileXhost: Share FBX assets so collaborators can download and convert them locally into their engine or workflow formats.
Desktop: Use Blender, Autodesk tools, or dedicated converters to convert FBX to OBJ, glTF/GLB, or engine-native formats.
CLI: Use command-line tools (e.g., FBX2glTF, assimp-based utilities) for batch conversion from FBX to glTF or other formats.
Online Tools: Web-based converters can accept FBX uploads and output formats like glTF, STL, or OBJ.

Advantages & disadvantages

Advantages

Rich support for animation, rigs, and complex scene data
De facto standard in many professional 3D and game pipelines
Supported by major DCC tools and game engines
Can bundle multiple meshes, cameras, and animations in one file

Disadvantages

Proprietary format controlled by Autodesk, with evolving versions
Specifications are less open than formats like glTF
Import/export behavior can vary between tools, sometimes requiring cleanup

Tools & software

Modeling/Animation

Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Blender, Cinema 4D, Houdini

Game Engines

Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot (via import/conversion)

Viewers/Converters

Autodesk FBX Review, Blender, FBX2glTF, assimp-based tools

Frequently asked questions

Should I use FBX or glTF for my project?

Use FBX as an authoring and interchange format when moving assets between DCC tools and game engines, especially when you need animation or rig data. For final delivery in web and modern runtime environments, glTF/GLB is often preferred because it is open, compact, and optimized for real-time rendering.

Why does my FBX look different after import?

Different tools interpret FBX data slightly differently, especially for materials, units, and coordinate systems. You may need to adjust import settings, scale, or materials after importing into a new tool or engine.

Can FBX store textures and materials?

Yes. FBX can embed or reference textures and store material properties. However, material systems differ between tools and engines, so complex shaders may not transfer perfectly.

How do I convert FBX to glTF?

Use Blender (import FBX, export glTF) or tools like FBX2glTF and other converters. These utilities read the FBX file and write a glTF/GLB asset suitable for modern real-time engines and web viewers.

Technical specs

File type: 3D
Extension: .fbx
MIME type: application/vnd.autodesk.fbx, application/octet-stream
Compression: Uncompressed
Max file size on FileXhost: Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.

Upload your .fbx file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.

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