GLTF / GLB

GLTF (GL Transmission Format) and its binary variant GLB are open-standard file formats developed by the Khronos Group for efficient transmission and loading of 3D models in web-based and immersive applications. Designed to be the “JPEG of 3D”, GLTF enables compact file sizes, fast parsing, and runtime efficiency without sacrificing visual quality.

GLTF files are JSON-based and reference external assets (e.g. textures, geometry), while GLB embeds all data, including shaders, images, and geometry, into a single binary file. This makes GLB particularly suitable for lightweight deployment in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and web visualisation scenarios.

GLTF and GLB formats are widely supported by modern 3D engines and platforms such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Babylon.js, and Three.js. They are used in interactive product showcases, configurators, architectural visualisation, digital twins, and extended reality (XR) environments where efficient streaming and rendering are essential.

See also: Three.js, Unity