Learn the essential steps to export your 3D models from Blender for use in game engines like Unity and Unreal, other 3D software, or for 3D printing. This guide covers the standard export process.
In Object Mode, select the model or models you wish to export. It's good practice to only export what you need to keep file sizes small and scenes clean.
Go to the top menu bar and click File, then hover over the Export option. This will reveal a list of available file formats.
Select the format you need from the list. Common choices include FBX (.fbx) for game engines, Wavefront (.obj) for general compatibility, and glTF 2.0 (.glb/.gltf) for web and real-time applications.
In the export window that appears, you can configure settings on the right-hand panel. A crucial option is to check Selected Objects to ensure you only export what you selected. You can also control whether to apply modifiers, include UVs, and more.
Choose a location to save your file, give it a name, and click the Export button to finalize the process.
Pro Tips for a Clean Export
Before exporting, select your object and press Ctrl + A and choose All Transforms. This prevents unexpected scale, rotation, or position issues in other software.
Always enable the Selected Objects checkbox in the export settings to avoid exporting unwanted cameras, lights, or other scene elements with your model.
For formats like FBX, check the Path Mode setting. Setting it to Copy and enabling the embed textures option will pack your textures into the file, making it more portable.
Ensure your model has clean topology and that all modifiers (like Subdivision Surface) are either applied or disabled as intended before you export for predictable results.
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