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 converts visualization models to a wide range of formats such as JT, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, STL, OBJ, 3DS, and PLY.
Free for 14 days
Fully functional, no obligation.
Secure & reliable
Stable, precise CAD data processing.
Windows support
Compatible with current Windows versions.
What are DAE, FBX, and glTF files?
- DAE (Digital Asset Exchange): This format was developed by Sony and is based on the COLLADA XML schema. It is supported by many 3D visualization programs, including Blender and Maya, as well as game engines such as Unity and Unreal.
- FBX (Filmbox): Proprietary Autodesk 3D file format for exchanging 3D scenes, meaning 3D models with animations, materials, cameras, and lighting, primarily with Autodesk 3ds Max and Maya.
- glTF (Graphics Language Transmission Format): An open, royalty-free file format developed by the Khronos Group for efficiently transmitting and displaying 3D scenes and models. glTF 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 is also supported by current software. Versions before 1.4 are considered obsolete and are usually no longer supported. (05/2026)
- FBX stands for Filmbox, an open framework for transferring 3D data that was developed by Kaydara and adopted by Autodesk in version 6 in 2006. There is no single current FBX version because FBX is supported by different applications and SDKs. The latest SDK version is from 2024 and supports versions 6.1 and 7.0 through 7.5. (05/2026)
- 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 version of the format, but it can also reference external binary data.
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?
These modern 3D scene formats are typically opened with 3D rendering software such as Blender, Maya, and 3DS Max. Google SketchUp and some online viewers also support these 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 such as CATIA, Siemens NX, Creo and SolidWorks into these modern visualization formats.
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, Siemens NX, Inventor, SolidWorks, and other formats.
Fully functional 14-day trial
No commitment Cancel anytime
Start immediately Download in seconds