The Khronos Group calls glTF the "JPEG of 3D". It's efficient, interoperable, and the backbone of modern 3D on the web.
What is glTF?
glTF (Graphics Language Transmission Format) is a JSON-based format. If you open a `.gltf` file in a text editor, you'll see readable code describing the scene structure, cameras, and nodes.
However, the actual geometry (vertices) and textures (images) are usually stored in separate `.bin` and `.png` files referenced by the JSON.
What is GLB?
GLB is simply the Binary version of glTF. It takes the JSON, the `.bin`, and the textures, and packs them all into a single file.
This is why it's called the "JPEG of 3D". Just like you don't want to email a folder of raw pixels, you don't want to host a folder of loose assets. You want one file that just works.
Which Should You Choose?
Use GLB When...
- You are sharing the file (email, Discord).
- You are uploading to a CMS or website.
- You want simplicity.
Use glTF When...
- You are developing and want to debug the JSON.
- You want to reuse the same texture across multiple models (referencing the same .jpg).