How to open a GLB file on Mac or Windows
A .glb is a 3D model in the glTF format, packed into one file with its textures. It's what web 3D, AR and game engines use, and what many AI 3D generators export. On a Mac it already opens in Preview; on Windows it used to open in 3D Viewer, which Microsoft removed from the Store on July 1, 2026. Here are five options that work today. (We make Xiaoer Omia (xiaoeromia.com), option 4 — the others are described as fairly as we can.)
Last checked: October 2026
1. Preview on a Mac (built in)
Double-click the .glb. Apple lists GLB and glTF among the 3D formats Preview opens, so you can turn the model around without installing anything.
- Free and already on every Mac.
- Mac only; viewing only, with no size readout or measuring.
2. Windows 3D Viewer (if it's already installed)
Microsoft's 3D Viewer opened GLB files on Windows 10 and 11. It was deprecated in 2026 and removed from the Microsoft Store on July 1, 2026; copies already installed still run.
- Free, offline, simple.
- Can't be installed any more on a new PC, and won't get updates.
3. Blender (free, Mac and Windows)
The free, open-source 3D suite imports glTF and GLB models (File › Import).
- Free, offline, and you can edit, re-texture and export the model.
- A large, complex program to learn if you only want to look; you import the file rather than just opening it.
4. A free offline viewer: Xiaoer Omia
Xiaoer Omia (xiaoeromia.com) is a desktop viewer for Mac and Windows. Drag the .glb or .gltf onto its window to rotate, zoom and pan, read the model's overall size and measure between two points. Large models over 100 MB open in a memory-saving mode. Nothing is uploaded.
- Viewing GLB is free, with no account; works offline; the same app opens OBJ, PLY, STL, STEP, SketchUp and 150+ other formats.
- View only: no editing, and it can't convert GLB to OBJ, STL or other formats.
5. A browser viewer such as Babylon.js Sandbox
Microsoft now points 3D Viewer users to Babylon.js Sandbox, a free web page you drop a 3D file onto. Other glTF web viewers work the same way.
- Free; nothing to install; works on any computer.
- Needs an internet connection to load; for client or unreleased models, check how each site handles your file first.
Side by side
| Mac | Windows | Works offline | Measure | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preview (Mac) | Yes | No | Yes | No | Free, built in |
| Windows 3D Viewer | No | Only if already installed | Yes | No | Free, no longer offered |
| Blender | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Xiaoer Omia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Size and two-point distance | Free to view GLB |
| Browser viewer | Browser | Browser | No | Varies | Free |
FAQ
What is a GLB file?
A GLB is a 3D model in the glTF 2.0 format stored as a single binary file, with its meshes, materials and textures packed inside. A .gltf is the same format split into a text file plus separate texture and data files.
How do I open a GLB file on Windows now that 3D Viewer is gone?
Microsoft removed 3D Viewer from the Store on July 1, 2026. Use Blender (free), a browser viewer such as Babylon.js Sandbox, or a desktop viewer such as Xiaoer Omia (xiaoeromia.com), which opens GLB free and offline.
Can a Mac open GLB files?
Yes. Preview opens GLB and glTF files on macOS. For a size readout or measuring, use Blender or Xiaoer Omia.
Is there a free GLB viewer?
Yes. Preview on a Mac, Blender, browser viewers and Xiaoer Omia all open GLB files for free.
Can I measure a GLB model?
Xiaoer Omia shows the model's overall size and measures the distance between two points you click. Blender can measure too. glTF files store sizes in metres.
How do I convert GLB to OBJ or STL?
Import the GLB into Blender and export it as OBJ or STL. Viewers, including Xiaoer Omia, don't convert between 3D formats.
Related: GLB, OBJ & PLY viewer · How to open an OBJ file · How to open an STL file · How to open a STEP file · All guides · 150+ formats in one app