Export from Blender, 3ds Max and other tools

Updated 14 November 20262 min read

glTF binary (.glb) is the best format; FBX and OBJ work too. Settings for Blender, 3ds Max, Rhino, ArchiCAD and Twinmotion.

The best file for vr-tecture is glTF binary (.glb): one file with geometry, materials, textures and object names, always in metres. Most modern tools can write it. FBX and OBJ work too and are converted in your browser.

Blender

Select what visitors should see (or use a collection that holds only that).
Choose File › Export › glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf).
Format: glTF Binary (.glb). Under Include, tick Selected Objects or Visible Objects. Under Transform, keep +Y Up. Under Data › Mesh, tick Apply Modifiers.
Leave compression off: vr-tecture compresses the model itself before upload.
Export and upload the .glb with Upload GLB.

Tip

Use Principled BSDF materials with image textures. Procedural node setups do not travel in glTF; bake them to images first, or add the material in vr-tecture with Finishes.

3ds Max

3ds Max 2023 and later: File › Export › Export Selected… and choose glTF (.glb). Use Physical or PBR materials; V-Ray and Corona materials need converting to Physical first.
Any version: export FBX with Embed Media ticked so the textures go inside the file. Set the FBX units to the scene units; the studio shows the size it reads so you can check it.

Rhino

Rhino 8 exports glTF (.glb) under File › Export Selected. In older versions, export FBX or OBJ. Mesh settings decide how smooth curved surfaces look: a medium density is usually enough for a walk-through.

ArchiCAD

Save as IFC and upload it directly (see Upload a BIM model (IFC)), or save the 3D window as COLLADA (.dae) and zip it with its texture folder. Hide zones, the site and other floors before you save.

Twinmotion, Lumion and Enscape

If your project already goes through a visualisation tool, export glTF/GLB or FBX from there: materials are usually cleaner than straight from the BIM model. Twinmotion exports .glb directly.

Names worth keeping

Object and material names come through to vr-tecture. Clear names help you twice:

Suggest finishes recognises surfaces called floor, wall, oak, marble and similar. See Dress surfaces with real materials.
Groups named Sofa = Linen and Sofa = Leather become a choice your client can switch. See Let clients swap furniture and fixtures.

Next: Get your model ready to walk.