Free online GLB to DAE converter

Some 3D applications, CAD tools, and older game engines require Collada .dae files instead of glTF .glb. Converting the model allows editing or exchange in software that cannot import GLB directly.

What the GLB format is

GLB is the binary container form of glTF 2.0. A single file can contain meshes, node hierarchies, cameras, animations, materials, and embedded image textures. Blender, game engines, web-based 3D viewers, CAD viewers, and asset pipelines commonly create or consume GLB files.

GLB is structured for compact delivery and real-time rendering. Its materials usually use glTF's physically based metallic-roughness model, and its binary layout avoids the multiple files commonly required by the text-based glTF form.

What the DAE format is

DAE is the filename extension for Collada, an XML-based 3D interchange format. It can describe scene nodes, transforms, meshes, cameras, lights, materials, skinning, and animation, and remains useful when a legacy or specialist application specifically expects Collada.

DAE files are text-based and can be inspected or edited as XML, but they are usually larger than GLB files. Textures may be stored as separate image files referenced by the DAE rather than embedded in it.

How to convert the file

Using 101convert.com

1. Open the GLB-to-DAE converter on 101convert.com.
2. Select the source .glb file and choose DAE as the output format.
3. Start the conversion and download the resulting .dae file.

This option requires no software installation and is free to use. Do not upload confidential, restricted, or commercially sensitive assets unless the service's file-handling terms are acceptable.

Using Blender

Blender versions that include the Collada importer and exporter provide a desktop workflow. Built-in Collada support has changed between Blender releases, so use a version that exposes the required import and export commands, such as Blender 3.6 LTS, or install a compatible Collada add-on for a newer release.

1. Open Blender and choose File → Import → glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf).
2. Select the GLB file and inspect the imported model's scale, orientation, hierarchy, materials, and animation.
3. If the GLB contains embedded textures and the destination needs separate images, use File → External Data → Unpack Resources and write the images to a dedicated folder.
4. Choose File → Export → Collada (.dae).
5. In the export settings, select the required object types, set the destination application's forward and up axes, and enable animation export when needed.
6. Set a filename ending in .dae and choose Export COLLADA.

Using Assimp from the command line

Assimp can perform a direct format conversion when its command-line tools are installed:

assimp export input.glb output.dae

The output extension normally selects Collada. Use this method for batch processing, then open a sample result in the target application because Assimp's handling of materials, animation, and texture paths varies by asset.

Quality and compatibility limitations

GLB and DAE do not use identical material models. A glTF metallic-roughness material can become a simpler Collada material, changing roughness, reflections, transparency, normal-map behavior, or the final texture appearance.

Keep the exported .dae beside every referenced texture image, preserving the relative paths written into the XML. Reopen the DAE in the destination program and verify texture loading, units, axis orientation, object scale, normals, vertex colors, skin weights, and animation playback.

Animations, morph targets, instancing, cameras, lights, and custom glTF extensions may be lost or altered. Modifiers and triangulation should be applied only when the receiving software requires them, because they can change topology and reduce editability.