How to Share a 3D Model Online: Options for GLB, OBJ, and FBX Files

You’ve got a 3D model — a photogrammetry mesh, an as-built structure, a drone-captured building. Your client wants to see it. They don’t have Blender, SketchUp, or any other 3D software installed.

Here’s how to share it.

The formats and their compatibility

For browser-based delivery, GLB is the best format:

• Self-contained (textures embedded in one file)
• Wide browser viewer support
• Efficient binary encoding
• The format of choice for Three.js and WebGL renderers

If you have an OBJ or FBX, you can upload them directly to Swyvl — no conversion needed. If you need a single self-contained file (e.g. for email attachment or other platforms), convert to GLB: most DCC tools (Blender, Maya, 3ds Max) can export GLB, and obj2gltf handles OBJ → GLB conversion on the command line.

Option 1: Sketchfab

Sketchfab is the most established platform for 3D model sharing. Upload your model, and Sketchfab hosts it in a browser-based Three.js viewer with a professional interface.

Pros:

• Well-known, widely used
• Good viewer quality
• Supports many formats
• Can embed in other websites

Cons:

• Public by default (your client data is visible to anyone unless you use a paid private share)
• Sketchfab branding in the viewer (on free plan)
• Aimed at the creative/gaming industry, not survey/engineering delivery
• Model size limits on free plan

Best for: Quick sharing of non-sensitive models. Portfolios. Creative work.

Not ideal for: Confidential client deliverables. Survey data. Anything where Sketchfab branding or public visibility is a problem.

Option 2: Model Viewer (Google)

Google’s <model-viewer> is an open-source web component that embeds a GLB viewer into any web page. It’s the same viewer used in Google Shopping’s AR product views.

Using it requires embedding HTML on a web page you control:

<model-viewer src="your-model.glb" camera-controls></model-viewer>

Pros: Free. Well-supported. Mobile AR mode on supported devices. Cons: Requires a web page and hosting. Not a delivery platform.

Option 3: Three.js self-hosted viewer

Three.js is the WebGL library that powers most browser-based 3D viewing. You can build a simple Three.js viewer, host it on a static file server, and share the URL.

Basic Three.js GLB viewer (~30 lines of code):

import * as THREE from 'three';
import { GLTFLoader } from 'three/examples/jsm/loaders/GLTFLoader.js';
import { OrbitControls } from 'three/examples/jsm/controls/OrbitControls.js';

const scene = new THREE.Scene();
const camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(75, window.innerWidth/window.innerHeight, 0.1, 1000);
const renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer({ antialias: true });
renderer.setSize(window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight);
document.body.appendChild(renderer.domElement);

const controls = new OrbitControls(camera, renderer.domElement);
const loader = new GLTFLoader();
loader.load('model.glb', (gltf) => scene.add(gltf.scene));
camera.position.z = 5;

function animate() {
  requestAnimationFrame(animate);
  controls.update();
  renderer.render(scene, camera);
}
animate();

Pros: Full control. No external dependencies. Free. Cons: Requires web development. No sharing infrastructure. Not practical for per-project delivery.

Option 4: For large datasets — CesiumJS + 3D Tiles

For large photogrammetry meshes (entire buildings, infrastructure corridors, survey sites), standard GLB files can be hundreds of megabytes to several gigabytes. These don’t stream well in a browser.

For large datasets, convert to 3D Tiles and stream via CesiumJS. The viewer loads only the geometry visible at the current zoom level — so a 20 GB mesh can be explored in real time in any browser.

See our guide on exporting 3D Tiles from photogrammetry software for the full workflow.

Option 5: Spatial data delivery platform

Upload your 3D model to a platform like Swyvl and share a branded portal link. The viewer handles OBJ, FBX, GLB, and GLTF (via Three.js) and 3D Tiles (via CesiumJS) automatically — no conversion required before upload.

Benefits over Sketchfab:

• Your branding, not Sketchfab’s
• Private by default — only the person with the link can view
• Organised with other deliverables (point cloud, GeoTIFF, PDF) in one place
• Permanent link (no expiry)

Converting to GLB

If your model is in OBJ, FBX, or another format:

Using Blender (free):

1. Import your model (File → Import → [format])
2. File → Export → glTF 2.0
3. Set format to “GLB” (binary)
4. Enable “Selected Objects” if needed
5. Export

Using obj2gltf (command line):

npx obj2gltf -i model.obj -o model.glb

Using GDAL/osgEarth for geospatial meshes: Most photogrammetry software can export GLB directly — RealityCapture, Metashape, Pix4D all support it.

Which option should you use?

For most survey and drone operators delivering 3D model outputs to clients, the combination of:

• GLB for smaller models (individual structures, objects)
• 3D Tiles for larger site-scale models

…served through a branded delivery portal is the right answer. It’s professional, it’s permanent, and it works in any browser without software installation.