GLB · OBJ
GLB vs OBJ
GLB is built for delivery: one binary file with materials, textures and animation. OBJ is built for editing: readable geometry plus a separate material file. The right choice depends on where the model goes next.
| Criterion | GLB | OBJ |
|---|---|---|
| What it stores | Geometry, PBR materials, textures, animations | Vertices, faces, UVs, normals and groups |
| Materials | Embedded PBR, textures inside the file | MTL file and external textures |
| Animation | Yes, skins and animations | No |
| File size | Compact binary | Larger text, plus side files |
| Best for | Web, AR, game engines | Editing and rendering in DCC tools |
| Units | Spec says metres; exporters vary | None |
In short. Ship GLB, edit OBJ. OBJ to GLB loses MTL materials and external textures; GLB to OBJ drops animations and in-file textures. Keep the original source around.
Convert between them
Format pages
Questions
Is GLB smaller than OBJ?+
Usually: binary buffers, and textures are embedded instead of duplicated as separate files.
Does GLB keep materials?+
Yes, PBR materials and textures travel inside the file.
Can I animate an OBJ?+
No; OBJ has no animation. Use GLB or glTF for animated models.