Free online FBX to OBJ converter

Many modeling, CAD, game, and 3D-printing applications accept .obj but not .fbx, so an FBX asset may need conversion before import or sharing. OBJ is also suitable when only static mesh geometry is required and animation or scene data can be discarded.

What the FBX format is

FBX is a 3D interchange format originally developed by Kaydara and now maintained by Autodesk. Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, and other DCC, visualization, and CAD applications use it to exchange assets.

An FBX file can contain polygon meshes, object hierarchies, transforms, cameras, lights, UV coordinates, materials, skin weights, skeletons, animation, and sometimes embedded media. Files may use binary or ASCII encoding, and compatibility can vary between exporter, importer, and FBX SDK versions.

What the OBJ format is

OBJ is a text-based Wavefront format used mainly for static polygon geometry. It can store vertex positions, texture coordinates, vertex normals, polygon faces, object and group names, and material assignments.

A companion .mtl file can describe basic material properties and reference image textures. The OBJ file does not normally contain those texture images, so the .obj, .mtl, and referenced images must remain available to the importing application.

OBJ has broad support, a readable structure, and simple static-mesh exchange. It is useful for applications that cannot import FBX, inspection and archival workflows, and some 3D-printing pipelines. Unlike FBX, OBJ does not preserve skeletons, skinning, animation clips, cameras, lights, constraints, or most application-specific scene settings.

How to convert an FBX file to OBJ

Blender provides the most control without depending on a web upload. Its FBX importer and Wavefront OBJ exporter are included in current releases.

1. Open Blender and remove the default objects if they are not needed.
2. Choose File → Import → FBX (.fbx) and select the source file.
3. Inspect the imported model for missing objects, incorrect orientation, scale, UV maps, materials, and visible geometry.
4. Select the objects to export. Apply modifiers if their evaluated geometry must be written, or enable the exporter’s modifier option when available.
5. Choose File → Export → Wavefront (.obj), select an output folder, and name the file, for example model.obj.
6. Enable Selection Only for selected objects only. Enable UV, normal, and material export options when the destination application needs them.
7. Export the file. Keep the generated model.mtl beside model.obj and copy every referenced texture image, preserving or correcting the paths recorded in the MTL file.

Set the OBJ export axis options to match the receiving application when it uses a different up-axis or forward-axis convention. Blender’s option names and locations can change between versions, so verify the exported file by opening it in the target program or another model viewer.

For a conversion without installing software, upload the file to 101convert.com, choose OBJ as the output format, start the conversion, and download the result. A local application is preferable for confidential or very large models and for exports that require precise control over axes, selection, materials, or modifiers.

Quality and compatibility limits

• Animation and rigging are lost: OBJ exports geometry rather than skeletons, skin weights, keyframes, or animation clips.
• Materials are simplified: MTL supports basic material values and texture references, but node-based shaders, procedural materials, physically based settings, and renderer-specific effects usually require reconstruction.
• Textures remain separate: copy the image maps referenced by the MTL file and repair paths if the destination cannot find them. Some converters may omit unsupported maps.
• Units are not reliable: FBX can include unit metadata, while OBJ has no dependable universal unit declaration. Check a known dimension after import and scale the model if necessary.
• Normals and smoothing may change: export normals when the target supports them; otherwise recalculate normals or set smooth and sharp edges in the destination application.
• Topology is not automatically improved: conversion normally keeps the source mesh and does not reduce polygons, repair non-manifold geometry, or guarantee triangles. Triangulate deliberately if the receiving engine or printer requires it.
• Scene organization may differ: export settings can preserve separate objects or combine meshes. Recheck object names, origins, material slots, hidden geometry, face count, and hierarchy after import.
• Older FBX tools may be unsuitable: Autodesk’s legacy FBX Converter is discontinued software; a maintained application such as Blender is a safer choice for current conversion work.