Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
DAE-FBX-glTF Viewer
Open COLLADA, FBX, and glTF/GLB files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens DAE, FBX, and glTF files without any additional CAD software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter exports visualization models to formats such as JT, STL, U3D, 3D-PDF, and 3D-HTML.
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Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
Opening 3D Scenes Without Blender or Maya
3D-Tool opens DAE, FBX, and glTF files directly, even when the file comes from a game engine, a rendering program, or an AR/VR pipeline and the original software is not available. FBX files in particular often reach people who own neither 3ds Max nor Maya but still need to check the model.
Unlike a plain online preview, the 3D-Tool CAD Viewer adds measurement and analysis tools, so the dimensions and geometry of the visualization model can be checked directly rather than just spun around on screen.
What are DAE, FBX, and glTF files?
- DAE (Digital Asset Exchange): Sony developed the format. It is based on the COLLADA XML schema. Many 3D visualization programs support DAE, including Blender and Maya, as well as game engines such as Unity and Unreal.
- FBX (Filmbox): FBX is a proprietary Autodesk 3D file format for exchanging 3D scenes. 3D scenes are 3D models that include animations, materials, cameras, and lighting. FBX is primarily used to exchange data with Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya.
- glTF (Graphics Language Transmission Format): The Khronos Group developed glTF as an open, royalty-free file format for efficiently transmitting and displaying 3D scenes and models. The format is designed for modern web and mobile technologies and optimized for fast loading and compact storage of 3D models.
DAE, FBX, and glTF versions
- DAE (COLLADA) has been at version 1.5 since October 2008. Version 1.4 is still widely used and supported by current software. Older versions before 1.4 are generally considered obsolete.
- FBX stands for Filmbox and is a proprietary 3D exchange format from Autodesk. It was originally developed by Kaydara and acquired by Autodesk in 2006. The free FBX SDK allows developers to read, write, and convert FBX files. There is no single "current FBX version"; what matters is which FBX versions the application or SDK supports.
- glTF is the text-based version of the GL format and uses JSON to describe the 3D scene as "nodes". 3D geometries, textures, graphics, and other binary assets are often stored in separate files. GLB is the binary variant of glTF and can bundle all data in one file.
DAE, FBX, and glTF characteristics
All of these formats are designed for efficient transfer of complex 3D scenes. They are used as interchange formats in game and film production, for realistic product visualization, and for virtual reality and augmented reality.
In addition to model geometry, the formats can contain textures, animations, lighting, and camera positions. glTF supports PBR (Physically Based Rendering), which simulates how light behaves on surfaces in a realistic way.
Unlike the free, open formats DAE/COLLADA (XML) and glTF (JSON), FBX is a proprietary Autodesk format. However, Autodesk allows developers to implement FBX support through the FBX SDK without charging license fees. (05/2026)
How do I open DAE, FBX, and glTF files?
Open DAE, FBX, and glTF files with 3D rendering software such as Blender, Maya, and 3DS Max. Google SketchUp and some online viewers also support these modern 3D scene formats.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DAE, FBX, and glTF files and provides extensive measurement, markup, and analysis tools.
For technical users, it is especially important to bridge 3D CAD data from product development to realistic product visualizations in 3D rendering software. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts 3D models from common CAD systems to these modern visualization formats. These CAD systems include CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), Creo, and SolidWorks.
How can I convert a DAE, FBX, or glTF file?
Without CAD/CAM software with a suitable interface, the model must be exported from the original 3D program to another 3D exchange format or 3D visualization format.
Converting DAE, FBX, and glTF is also possible with a 3D converter.
3D-Tool Premium includes the 3D-NativeCAD Converter, which converts many 3D formats, including native formats from common CAD systems, to 3D exchange formats or 3D product visualizations. For DAE, FBX, and glTF, however, note that visualization data (MESH) can only be converted to formats that support this data type.
Test the DAE, FBX, and glTF viewer and converter for free
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with interfaces for common native CAD formats, 3D exchange formats, and many 3D visualization formats. 3D-Tool offers professional measurement functions, draft analysis, wall thickness analysis, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter.
- Open, dimension, annotate, and publish DAE, FBX, and glTF files for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF
- Open DAE, FBX, and glTF files and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert DAE, FBX, and glTF files to JT and STEP AP242
- Convert DAE, FBX, and glTF models to 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML and 3D-PDF
Download 3D-Tool, launch it, and request a trial key. Test all features, all interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter for 14 days. Open and convert DAE, FBX, glTF, STEP, JT, as well as CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), Inventor, SolidWorks, and other formats.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are DAE and COLLADA the same format?
DAE is the file extension for the XML-based COLLADA exchange format. It is used to transfer 3D scenes between visualization applications. The two names therefore refer to the format and its file extension, not to two separate conversion targets. A recipient requesting a COLLADA model will generally expect the corresponding DAE file and any referenced resources.
What can an FBX file contain?
An FBX file can contain models, animations, materials, cameras, and lighting. FBX is a proprietary Autodesk format for exchanging 3D scenes between applications. The actual contents depend on what the exporting application writes and what the receiving application supports. Opening an FBX file does not automatically mean that every scene property is reproduced in every viewer.
What is the difference between glTF and GLB?
glTF describes a 3D scene using JSON and often stores geometry and textures in separate files. GLB is the binary variant, but it can also reference external data. Referenced files belong with the model when it is shared. Otherwise, the recipient may not receive all geometry or textures required for the intended display.
Can I measure DAE, FBX, and glTF models with 3D-Tool?
Yes. The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens these formats and provides measurement, annotation, and analysis tools without additional CAD software. This allows visualization models to be inspected as well as displayed. The model's mesh geometry forms the basis for the inspection; viewing or measuring it does not turn the mesh into exact CAD surfaces.
Can 3D-Tool convert DAE, FBX, or glTF to STEP AP242?
Yes, but only as triangulated mesh geometry. The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium can export DAE, FBX, and glTF files to a STEP AP242 file.