┌─ FILE ANALYSIS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┐
│ DEVELOPER : Khronos Group
│ CATEGORY : 3D
│ MIME TYPE : model/gltf+json
└ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ┘
What is a glTF file?
glTF (GL Transmission Format) is an open standard 3D file format developed by the Khronos Group. Often called “the JPEG of 3D,” glTF is designed for efficient transmission and loading of 3D scenes. It supports PBR materials, animations, skeletal rigging, and morph targets. The binary variant (.glb) packs everything into a single file.
How to open glTF files
- Web browsers — Three.js, Babylon.js viewers
- Blender (Windows, macOS, Linux) — Native import/export
- VS Code (Windows, macOS, Linux) — With glTF Tools extension
- glTF Viewer (Web) — Khronos online viewer
Technical specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | JSON (.gltf) or binary (.glb) |
| Materials | PBR (metallic-roughness) |
| Animation | Skeletal, morph targets, keyframes |
| Textures | PNG, JPEG, KTX2 (Basis Universal) |
| Extensions | KHR_ extensions ecosystem |
Common use cases
- Web 3D: Three.js, Babylon.js, A-Frame scenes.
- E-commerce: 3D product previews.
- AR/VR: Augmented and virtual reality content.
- Digital twins: Real-time industrial visualization.