What is the FBX file format?
.fbx is a platform-independent 3D interchange file format owned by Autodesk. FBX files store complete 3D scene data - including geometry, materials, textures, animation, cameras, and lights - and preserve the fidelity and functionality of the original scene across different applications and platforms.
The main goal of the FBX format is to provide data compatibility between various applications for creating digital content. FBX files allow users to exchange 3D scenes between many different editing tools, regardless of system platform. The format is widely used in game development, film production, and real-time rendering pipelines.
The FBX format was developed by Kaydara, originally for files generated with its Filmbox motion-capture software - which is where the format got its name. Alias Systems acquired Kaydara in 2004, and Autodesk Inc. acquired Alias in 2006, at which point Autodesk took full ownership of the format.
Additional details:
.fbxfiles can store data in plain-text (ASCII) or compact binary format; binary files begin with the 21-byte magic stringKaydara FBX Binary \0..fbxcan be converted to and from formats such as .dae (COLLADA), .obj, .3ds, and .gltf.- FBX is a proprietary format - Autodesk controls the specification, and no fully open specification document is published.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWAn FBX is 3D data, not an executable, so opening one to view it is safe. Two real-world cautions: (1) FBX can embed media and reference external texture files, and historically there have been parser vulnerabilities in FBX SDK/importers - keep your 3D software updated and import assets from reputable sources; (2) downloaded model archives sometimes bundle unexpected scripts or oversized scenes. The file itself can't 'run', but treat models from unknown sources with the same caution as any download, and verify the real extension isn't a disguised executable.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAMEAutodesk FBX (Filmbox) 3D Interchange File
DEVELOPERAutodesk (format created by Kaydara, 1996; Autodesk acquired it via Alias in 2006)since 1996 (Kaydara Filmbox 1.5); owned by Autodesk since 2006
CATEGORY3D Image Files
MIME TYPEapplication/octet-stream
TYPE3D scene interchange format (geometry, materials, animation, cameras, lights); binary or ASCII
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
000102030405060708090a0b0c0d0e0f1011121314
HEX
4B617964617261204642582042696E617279202000
ASCII
Kaydara FBX Binary ·
Binary FBX begins with the 21-byte magic "Kaydara FBX Binary \x00" (note two spaces) at offset 0, followed by 0x1A 0x00 and a uint32 version. ASCII FBX has no binary magic - it's plain text starting with a "; FBX ..." comment and "FBXHeader Extension:" block (hex: null for that variant).
Programs that open FBX files
Windows5 apps
Blender
Open-source File > Import > FBX to view and fully edit geometry, materials, rigs and animation. The free powerhouse for FBX. 
Autodesk FBX Review
Free Free official viewer; drag the FBX in to view geometry, materials and play animations. Best first stop for just looking.
Microsoft 3D Viewer
Free Free Microsoft Store app; open the FBX to view and rotate the model (basic, good for a quick look).
Autodesk 3ds Max
Paid File > Import the FBX for professional editing; FBX is native interchange for 3ds Max. 
macOS3 apps
Preview / Quick Look
Built-in macOS can preview many 3D files via Quick Look; for FBX it may need conversion to USDZ - use FBX Review/Blender if Quick Look declines. 
Linux2 apps
Blender
Open-source The primary free tool on Linux: Import > FBX to view and edit geometry, rigs and animation.
Autodesk FBX Review
Free Official lightweight viewer (where a Linux build/Wine is available) for inspecting FBX.
Web2 apps
Sketchfab
Freemium Upload the FBX to view it in the browser with materials and animation; good for sharing a model. Technical details
deep spec| File encodings | Two sub-formats share the `.fbx` extension: plain-text ASCII (human-readable) and compact binary; the encoding is not signalled by a separate file extension |
| Binary magic bytes | `Kaydara FBX Binary \x00` - 21-byte signature at offset 0, followed by `0x1A 0x00` and a uint32 version number |
| Version field (binary) | uint32 at byte offset 23; e.g., 7400 = FBX 7.4, 7500 = FBX 7.5, 7700 = FBX 7.7 |
| MIME type | `application/octet-stream` |
| Scene data stored | Polygon meshes, NURBS surfaces, skeletal rigs, keyframe animation curves, blend shapes, materials, textures, cameras, lights, and constraints |
| Coordinate system | Y-up or Z-up; the active axis convention is declared in the `FBXHeaderExtension` block and is configurable at export |
| Unit system | Scene measurement units (default: centimetres in most exporters) stored in `GlobalSettings` → `UnitScaleFactor` |
| Embedded media | Textures and other binary assets can be embedded directly inside the `.fbx` file or referenced as external paths |
| Scene hierarchy | Stored as a typed node graph (object/connection model); nodes carry named properties and typed connections - not a flat list |
| Skin and rig binding | Supports multi-influence vertex skinning and IK/FK rigs stored as `Cluster` and `Skin` deformer nodes |
| Official SDK | Autodesk FBX SDK (C++), free closed-source library for reading and writing `.fbx`; Python bindings included |
| Game engine support | Native importer built into Unity, Unreal Engine, Godot, and most major game engines; the de-facto standard for game-ready 3D asset exchange |
| ASCII header format | ASCII `.fbx` begins with a `;` comment line (e.g., `; FBX 7.7.0 project file`) and an `FBXHeaderExtension:` block - no binary magic |
| Specification status | Proprietary - Autodesk controls the format; no publicly published specification document |
| Released | 1996 (Kaydara Filmbox 1.5); owned by Autodesk since 2006 |
| Specification | www.autodesk.com |
FBX conversions
Possible
.FBX .GLTFGUIDE
Yes - import the FBX into Blender and export as glTF 2.0; it is free, works on Windows, macOS and Linux, and…
How to convert
.FBX .3DSGUIDE
Yes - open the FBX in Blender (free) and export as 3D Studio (.3ds); the whole process takes under two…
How to convert
.FBX .OBJGUIDE
Yes - import the FBX into Blender (free) and export as OBJ; the whole process takes under two minutes.
How to convert
.FBX .USDGUIDE
Yes - the fastest way is to import the FBX in Blender and export it as USD or USDZ (free, works on Windows,…
How to convert
.FBX .DAEGUIDE
Yes, FBX can be converted to DAE - the most practical free method is Blender: import the FBX, then export as…
How to convert
.FBX .WRLGUIDE
Yes - Blender (free) is the standard tool: import the FBX, then export as VRML 2.0 (.wrl).
How to convert
.FBX .STLGUIDE
Yes -- open the FBX in Blender (free) and use File > Export > STL. That is the standard route.
How to convert
Not possible
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about FBX files.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open an FBX file for free?
Use Autodesk FBX Review (free official viewer) or Microsoft 3D Viewer just to look at it, or Blender (free, open source) to view and fully edit it. Online, upload it to Autodesk Viewer or Sketchfab.
What is an FBX file used for?
It's a 3D interchange format that carries a whole scene - meshes, materials, rigs, animation, cameras and lights - so assets can move between programs like Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Unity and Unreal Engine.
How do I convert FBX to OBJ or glTF?
Import the FBX into Blender and Export as OBJ (static mesh) or glTF/GLB (keeps materials and animation; best for web/AR). FBX2glTF is a dedicated tool for the glTF route.
How do I convert FBX to STL for 3D printing?
Import the FBX in Blender and Export STL, then load it into a slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer). STL keeps only the mesh shape - materials, textures and animation are dropped.
Can I open an FBX in Blender?
Yes. Use File > Import > FBX (Blender's FBX importer is built in). You can then view, edit, re-rig and re-export the model in many formats.
Why does my FBX import look wrong (scale/rotation off)?
FBX is proprietary and apps disagree on units and axes. Check the import scale (often 0.01/100x) and the up-axis (Y-up vs Z-up) settings in your importer - that fixes most 'tiny model' or 'lying-down' issues.
Is .fbx the same as the ArcView FBX?
No. The common .fbx is Autodesk's Filmbox 3D format. There is a separate, obscure ArcView/Esri spatial-index .fbx; if your file came from GIS software it could be that, but the vast majority of .fbx files are 3D models.
References
1Khronos Group - glTF (recommended modern 3D interchange)www.khronos.org
2Autodesk - FBX overviewwww.autodesk.com
