Home > Supported File Formats > X3D to glTF

How to convert X3D (VRML2, VRML97) to glTF?

PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

X3D

X3D is the XML-based replacement to the venerable VRML2/VRML97 (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) file format of the 1985-era. X3D extends VRML2 with support for CAD, geospatial, humanoid animation and NURBS. It also provides for multi-stage and multi-texture rendering. Each new iteration of the file format brings more modern functionality, headed up by the Web3D Consortium.

VRML2 (and its brotheren X3D) continue to be two of the very best of non-MCAD file formats. Many people (wrongly) believe that FBX is the primary "translation file format" but VRML2 pre-dated it by at least 10+ years and has equally good or better functionality (and in an open, non-proprietary specification).

VRML1 and VRML2 are 3D file formats with a long and complex history. They were originally developed in the mid 1990s to define 'interactive 3D worlds' on the then-new World Wide WEB. However, statistically speaking, VRML2 became more well known as a high quality "data translaton and storage" file format, partly due to Okino pushing it as such a standard in the industry. It was implemented by a good number of 3D software packages and hence became a "reliable back door" to convert 3D assets out of those packages before FBX, DWF, COLLADA, U3D and other similar file formats came along in the mid to late 2000s, or glTF in the late 2010's. So many new 3D file formats were introduced between 2005 and 2007 that many quickly died away or just became ghosts of the past.

Its brothern are also known as VRML2, Classic VRML, VRML97, VRML1 and Inventor2.

glTF

As described more extensively on Okino's dedicated glTF converter page, glTF is a newer 3D file format designed for the "last mile" of efficient, real-time delivery of 3D assets for Web-based browsers, AR/VR applications and gaming applications, amongst others. It is generally not to be considered as a long term and high fidelity 3D data storage format (such as FBX, COLLADA or VRML2) but rather an efficient transmission and viewing 3D file format. It has begun to gain good traction in recent years.

glTF stands for Graphics Language Transmission Format. glTF is intended as a vendor-neutral distribution format for 3D content, bridging the gap between 3D content creation tools and applications displaying 3D graphics. It is fully graphics API and operating system-independent.

Okino has one of the most extensively developed and refined implementations of glTF for both import and export.

X3D import converter's overview

glTF export converter's overview