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Importing 3D models into game engines

Guide January 9th, 2024 2 min read

This article includes details on how to import 3D models created by Kenney into various game engines. Refer to the general section to find common tips.

    General

    • Refrain from using OBJ unless it's the only supported file format.
    • FBX, GLB (glTF) and DAE files are equal in features but GLB is smaller in size.
    • STL does not include colors, they're most commonly used for 3D printing.

    3D Models

    Godot

    Supported formats: OBJ, DAE, FBX and GLTF
    Recommended format: GLTF

    Instructions

    • Copy model files to your project folder, if there’s a "Texture" folder make sure to copy that too.

    Unity

    Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and FBX
    Recommended format: FBX

    Instructions

    • Drag model files into "Project" pane or add to your "Assets" project folder. Make sure to also import the "Textures" folder, if included.

    Unreal Engine

    Supported formats: OBJ and FBX
    Recommended format: FBX

    Instructions

    • Click Import in the "Content Browser" pane and select a model. In the "Import Options" dialog set the "Import Uniform Scale" to 10.
    • For FBX models: Ignore the warning about smoothing groups, the model will work just fine.
    • For OBJ models: In the import dialog set "Import rotation" to 90 × 0 × 0.

    Blender

    Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and STL
    Recommended format: DAE
    Also includes: Armory Engine, Blender Game Engine

    Instructions

    • FileImport and select the file format you’d like to import, then select a file.

    Three.js

    Supported formats: OBJ, DAE, GLTF and STL
    Recommended format: GLTF

    Instructions

    BabylonJS

    Supported formats: OBJ and GLTF
    Recommended format: GLTF

    Instructions

    PlayCanvas

    Supported formats: OBJ, DAE and FBX
    Recommended format: FBX

    Instructions

    • Drag model files into "Assets" pane or add click the plus symbol in the "Assets" pane and select "Upload".
    • For OBJ models: Materials are unsupported.
    • For FBX/DAE models: Textures don't get applied, select the corresponding material and add the texture to "Diffuse".

    CryEngine

    Supported formats: FBX
    Recommended format: FBX

    Instructions

    • Drag model files into "Asset Browser" pane or add to your project folder.
    • Note: Materials and textures are unsupported.

    Lumberyard

    Supported formats: FBX
    Recommended format: FBX

    Instructions

    • FileImport..., then select an FBX model.

    Roblox

    Supported formats: OBJ and FBX
    Recommended format: OBJ

    Instructions

    • Right click and click Insert ObjectMeshPart.
    • Select the MeshPart and in the "Properties" pane click the folder icon at MeshID then select an OBJ model.
    • Note: Materials and textures are unsupported.

    Isometric renders

    If there's isometric renders included with a 3D package they'll be 512 × 512 in size, a flat single tile is 128 × 64 in size. The transparent pixels around each of the tiles is margin for larger tiles, or tiles that don't fit within the usual tile size.

    Tiled

    • Tileset properties: Set the drawing offset to X: -192 and Y: 170.
    • Map properties: Set tile width and height to 128 × 64.

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