Unity 3D file formats: what opens and how
Unity is a widely used game engine for mobile, desktop, console and XR games, and it imports models by copying them into the project's Assets folder. It opens 3 of the 9 common 3D formats below without conversion; for the rest, convert to OBJ first.
Format support at a glance
| Format | Support | How |
|---|---|---|
| GLB | With add-on | install the glTFast package (com.unity.cloud.gltfast) with Window › Package Manager, then drag the .glb into Assets |
| glTF | With add-on | install the glTFast package (com.unity.cloud.gltfast), then drag the .gltf into Assets |
| OBJ | Built in | drag the .obj (and its .mtl) into the Project window |
| STL | Convert first | Convert to OBJ |
| FBX | Built in | drag the .fbx into the Project window (or Assets › Import New Asset…) |
| PLY | Convert first | Convert to OBJ |
| 3MF | Convert first | Convert to OBJ |
| DAE | Built in | drag the .dae into the Project window |
| USDZ | Convert first | Convert to OBJ |
Which format to choose
FBX and OBJ are the most dependable choice for Unity. FBX is Unity's preferred format: meshes, materials, rigs and animation clips all import, and animations appear in the Animation tab. If a model arrives as STL, PLY, 3MF, convert it to OBJ so materials survive the trip.
Units and orientation
Unity works in metres and is Y-up. Most problems after an import, such as a model that is invisible, enormous or lying on its side, come from a mismatch with the exporting app rather than a broken file.
- Select the imported model and check Scale Factor and Convert Units in the Model tab of the Inspector before placing it in a scene.
- Use the Materials tab › Extract Materials to get editable copies of the materials that came with the file.
Questions
- What 3D formats can Unity open?
- Without conversion: OBJ, FBX, DAE. With an add-on: GLB, glTF.
- How do I get an unsupported format into Unity?
- Convert it to OBJ with one of our in-browser converters, then import the OBJ. In Unity: drag the .obj (and its .mtl) into the Project window.
- Does Unity keep textures and animation?
- Yes, when the format carries them. GLB and FBX keep the most; STL and PLY carry no textures.
Source: the official Unity documentation. Menu names can move between versions.
Written with AI assistance by the Renderlyst team in October 2026. Format support reflects each app's current release as we understand it, and we link the official documentation so you can confirm it for your version. Spotted something out of date? Email alishbakhalid766@gmail.com.