GLB, USDZ, OBJ, STL, PLY, and 3MF, in plain English.
The right 3D file format depends on where the model is going: the web and game engines want GLB, Apple AR wants USDZ, 3D printing wants STL or 3MF, and editing tools use OBJ or PLY. 3D Mate exports all six, so you can pick per destination. Here is what each one is for.
| Format | Best for | Carries |
|---|---|---|
| GLB | Web, game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot, three.js) | Geometry + textures, compact single file |
| USDZ | Apple AR Quick Look (iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro) | Geometry + textures, Pixar USD package |
| OBJ | Editing and interchange (Blender, ZBrush) | Geometry + separate material/texture files |
| STL | 3D printing (universal) | Geometry only, no color |
| 3MF | Modern 3D printing (Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer) | Geometry + color + real units |
| PLY | Point clouds, scanning, research | Geometry + per-vertex color |
GLB is the binary form of glTF, a compact single file that carries geometry and textures together. It is the default for the web (via model-viewer or three.js) and for game engines. See GLB vs USDZ and game assets.
USDZ is Apple's AR format, opened instantly by Quick Look on iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro. Read what a USDZ file is and the augmented reality page.
STL is the universal printing format (geometry only). 3MF is the modern choice, carrying color and real units, and is preferred by Bambu Studio and PrusaSlicer. Either way the file must be watertight: see what a watertight mesh is and the 3D printing guide.