Skip to content
GuideIntermediate11 min

Export glTF 2.0 and GLB

Package a portable real-time scene with predictable metres, Y-up coordinates, structure, appearance and validation.

Applies to
Current Prism release · Navisworks Manage 2025–2027
Availability
Pro and higher
For
Web, real-time and visualization teams
Last reviewed

Choose GLB or glTF

Container table
ContainerChoose whenDelivery rule
GLBYou want one portable binary file.Default; keep the report beside it.
glTF + BINA pipeline expects readable JSON and a separate binary buffer.Keep the same-base .gltf and .bin together; renaming only one breaks the reference.

Both paths are glTF 2.0, right-handed, Y-up and always written in metres. Do not ask the receiver to apply another unit or axis conversion unless its importer requires one and the result is verified.

Configure scene structure and geometry

  • Choose BIM hierarchy, source-model grouping or a flatter structure according to selection/navigation needs.
  • Use Federation center for stable local real-time coordinates; use an explicit origin when the consuming pipeline has a documented shared reference.
  • Keep mesh reuse enabled for repeated geometry and test optional meshopt compression in every target viewer.
  • Leave triangle retention at 100% for the first accepted baseline. Test lower ratios on curved and thin geometry.
  • Choose Original or Persistent overrides for appearance; live persistent overrides require Standard Export.

Metadata, privacy and limits

  • Export only required metadata and properties. Consumer support for custom metadata varies.
  • A GLB or single glTF BIN is bounded by the 4 GiB container/buffer limit; split large federations by source or scope before reaching it.
  • The current glTF exporter does not support bitmap textures, animation, cameras, lights, quantization or GPU-instancing extensions.
  • Materials use the supported PBR color/opacity path, normals and vertex colors; receiving renderers can still differ.

Verify glTF/GLB

  1. Validate the container

    Use the Prism target checks and keep the report.

  2. Open it in the destination

    Test the exact web engine, viewer or importer version.

  3. Check metres and Y-up

    Measure a known object and inspect a vertical element.

  4. Check materials and hierarchy

    Review opacity, normals, repeated geometry and object selection.

  5. Test performance

    Measure load, memory and interaction on the target device; reduce or split only with an accepted fidelity threshold.

Related guidance

Choose an export format and compatible settingsCompare Prism output formats, plan availability, packaging, coordinate conventions and the most important interoperability limits.Export OBJ and MTL for mesh workflowsChoose units, axes, origin, structure and appearance for OBJ, keep its companion files together and import it reliably in common tools.Export 3D Tiles 1.1 and 3TZCreate a validated, locally written 3D Tiles hierarchy with direct GLB content, stable BIM feature identity and optional projected placement.