Importing 3D models into game engines

General

  • Refrain from using OBJ unless it's the only supported file format.
  • GLB (glTF 2.0) files have embedded textures, there’s no need to import texture files.
  • FBX, GLB (glTF 2.0) and DAE files are equal in features but GLB are always smaller in size.
  • You can open OBJ, FBX and DAE files using any text editor to edit them.
  • STL files do not include materials or textures, they're meant for 3D printing.

Isometric

If there's isometric renders included with a 3D package they'll be 512 × 512 in size, a flat single tile is 128 × 64 in size. The transparent pixels around each of the tiles is margin for larger tiles, or tiles that don't fit within the usual tile size.

Tiled

  • Tileset properties: Set the drawing offset to X: -192 and Y: 170.
  • Map properties: Set tile width and height to 128 × 64.

Unity

Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and FBX
Recommended format: FBX or DAE

Instructions

  • Drag model files into "Project" pane or add to your "Assets" project folder. Make sure to also import the "Textures" folder, if included.

Unreal Engine

Supported formats: OBJ and FBX
Recommended format: FBX

Instructions

  • Click Import in the "Content Browser" pane and select a model. In the "Import Options" dialog set the "Import Uniform Scale" to 10.
  • For FBX models: Ignore the warning about smoothing groups, the model will work just fine.
  • For OBJ models: In the import dialog set "Import rotation" to 90 × 0 × 0.

Godot

Supported formats: OBJ, DAE, FBX and GLTF
Recommended format: GLTF

Instructions

  • Copy model files to your project folder, if there’s a "Texture" folder make sure to copy that too.

Blender

Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and STL
Recommended format: DAE
Also includes: Armory Engine, Blender Game Engine

Instructions

  • File ➤ Import and select the file format you’d like to import, then select a file.

Three.js

Supported formats: OBJ, DAE, GLTF and STL
Recommended format: GLTF

Instructions

BabylonJS

Supported formats: OBJ and GLTF
Recommended format: GLTF

Instructions

PlayCanvas

Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and FBX
Recommended format: FBX

Instructions

  • Drag model files into "Assets" pane or add click the plus symbol in the "Assets" pane and select "Upload".
  • For OBJ models: Materials are unsupported.
  • For FBX/DAE models: Textures don't get applied, select the corresponding material and add the texture to "Diffuse".

CryEngine

Supported formats: FBX
Recommended format: FBX

Instructions

  • Drag model files into "Asset Browser" pane or add to your project folder.
  • Note: Materials and textures are unsupported.

Lumberyard

Supported formats: FBX
Recommended format: FBX

Instructions

  • File ➤ Import..., then select an FBX model.

Roblox

Supported formats: OBJ and FBX
Recommended format: OBJ

Instructions

  • Right click and click Insert Object ➤ MeshPart.
  • Select the MeshPart and in the "Properties" pane click the folder icon at MeshID then select an OBJ model.
  • Note: Materials and textures are unsupported.

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