How to Open an FBX File

FBX stands for Filmbox. The format of FBX file It maintains all the elements, functionality and fidelity of the original file, making it interoperable between 3D content creation applications from different manufacturers.

An FBX file can be converted back and forth to other 3D file formats including DXF, OBJ, DAE, and 3DS. This functionality and versatility make it very useful for migrations and conversions between the two files.

What Is An FBX File?

FBX is a popular 3D file format originally developed by Kaydara for MotionBuilder. It was acquired by Autodesk Inc in 2006 and is now one of the leading 3D interchange formats used by many 3D design tools.

FBX can be found in two types of formats: binary and ASCII. The format was established to provide interoperability between digital content creation applications. There are many tools available for conversion to and from the FBX file format.

FBX is a proprietary format and specifications about its binary file format are not officially available. Autodesk provides a C++ FBX SDK to read, write, and convert to and from an FBX file.

Un script Python import and export for FBX is also available in Blender software that does not use the FBX SDK.

FBX with text-based file structure

The text-based file structure is a documented tree structure with clearly named identifiers. It consists of a nested list of nodes arranged in a hierarchy where each node has:

• A node type identifier (class name).
• A tuple of properties associated with it, the elements of the tuple are the usual primitive data types: ##float, integer, string##, etc.
• A list containing nodes in the same format (recursively).

Some of the standard nodes are defined as an implicit list where each element consists of a nested list. Any application that intends to access FBX geometry has to parse these contents and give them a useful meaning.

FBX with binary file structure

As stated above, FBX file format specifications are not publicly available for FBX.

Given that blender foundation implements the FBX file format without using the SDK provided by the company, some of the details about the binary file format are available as part of its implementation.

The structure of binary files follows the following order:

• Header.
• Object registration.
• Footer.

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Free FBX Viewers For Windows

With these free softwares, you can open an FBX file and view all its content. Some of these programs are FBX viewers with interaction, projects and effects.

While the last two programs also allow you to edit and modify the FBX file.

1. AutoDesk FBX Review

fbx review is a free FBX file viewer from AutoDesk. This program is cross-platform and available for Windows, MacOS and iOS.

It is one of the best lightweight software to view FBX and other 3D files on Windows. When you open an FBX file in this software, it provides options to toggle between texture, wireframe, shading, and lighting options at the top of the screen.

It also supports user-created camera angles and lets you easily switch between them. Along with that, you can customize the view options from the settings, plus review and play the animated 3D assets as well.

2. ClockStone FBX Viewer

ClockStone FBX Viewer is another free and lightweight FBX file viewer for Windows. This is an easy-to-use program that supports various 3D file formats along with FBX.

It supports 3D engine features such as real-time shadow, post-render effects and you can easily view all FBX properties.

When you open this program, it asks you to select the 3D file you want to open. You can interact with the 3D model by simply clicking, dragging and adjusting the zoom level by scrolling the mouse wheel.

From the menu bar, you can access shadows, view, animation and effects options, and view all the properties of the 3D FBX model.

3. Microsoft Paint 3D

The following software that you can use to view the FBX file on Windows, is Paint 3DThis software is exclusive to Windows 10 only and comes pre-installed along with other Windows 10 applications.

It is a 3D version of MS Paint where you can make 2D and 3D models and interact with them. This program supports several 3D file formats that you can open and view with it.

You can easily open an FBX file in Paint 3D and interact with it. But this program doesn't provide many other options. It only displays the shape of the 3D model and lets you view it from all angles. There are no shadows, lighting, wireframes, or any other options.

But you can consider it as a quick option to view FBX file on Windows 10 when you don’t have any other compatible software installed.

4. Blenders

As you know, Blender is an open source 3D computer graphics software. It is used to create 3D models, visual effects, animations, interactive 3D applications, and more.

It is one of the most versatile solutions for viewing FBX files. With Blender, you can not only interact with FBX data, but you can also edit and modify it.

It supports shadows, effects, lighting, wireframes, perspectives and many more advanced options. You can view an FBX file layer by layer and visualize its entire content using Blender.

Please note that if you try to open an FBX file with the “Open” from the “ tabArchive”, it will only show the Blender file. To open an FBX file, you need to go to “Archive"->"Import”, and select “Import an FBX file".

5. Bforartists

Bfor artists is another powerful software package for 3D content. Similar to Blender, it includes many features and tools for viewing, creating, and manipulating 3D content.

Bfor artists It has an easy-to-navigate user interface that received praise over Blender from content creators across the web. You can use this software to view FBX file on Windows.

You can open an FBX file from the option Archive -> Import -> Import an FBX file and visualize all data including shadows, wireframes, lighting, layer-by-layer effects, etc.

You can also edit the content of the FBX file, add/remove layers, add new elements and save it as a new FBX file.

How to Open FBX Files?

It is actually very easy to open FBX files as it does not require any advanced knowledge to do so. You just need to have a software that can open or edit FBX and apply it. If you do not want to buy one, you can opt for any of the 5 options described above, they are all free.

There are many reasons why you may not be able to open an FBX file, but they are usually related to the software you are using. Try each of the following steps to open the file.

Install an FBX file viewer and configure

If you don't have a compatible application on your PC to view and edit FBX files, you won't be able to open the file in question. And if you do have one installed, it's probably not configured to open these files by default.

The first thing you should do is check if you have the correct software installed. If you don't have

• Place the cursor on the icon of the file you want to open.
• Right click on it, the context menu will appear.
• Click on “To open with”. Another window will appear with a list of applications that can open the file.

If no applications appear in the list, you need to install a program that allows you to open this type of file. We recommend that you select one of the ones described above.

If you have applications installed to open the file, simply select one of them and check the option “Always use the selected application to open this type of file”.

This will be set by default.

Check the FBX file for corruption

If you install an FBX-compatible application and set it to open these files by default, and the file still doesn't open, the problem may be with the file itself.

If an FBX file won't open, the following may be happening:

• The FBX file is incomplete. This usually happens when there are problems downloading files over the network. In this case, it is best to perform the full download again.
• The FBX file is damaged in its structure. If this is the case with your file, it is best to discard it and download it again. No program will be able to open the file in such condition.
• If the file is stored on a damaged flash drive, you will not be able to open the file. In such cases, it is best to try to recover the drive by formatting it to download the file again. Alternatively, use another flash drive.
• The icon you want to open is a shortcut file. It often happens that we want to open a file and click on its shortcut. Remember that shortcuts are “Passes” to open a file that you have saved, but they are not the file itself. If you want to open the shortcut of an FBX file, the file must be in the system.

To close

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Open an FBX file It doesn't require extensive knowledge or an advanced level of technology. With the right software, you'll be able to open it without any problems. If, on the other hand, you want to edit it, you do need to have some knowledge of 3D design.