An analysis of the glTF file format
The glTF file format was created with efficiency in the transmission and loading of 3D scenes
and models in mind. The file format is an open standard, supports external files and embedded, Base64-encoded data, and can be easily extended to adopt new features.
Figure 8.1 shows the general hierarchy of the glTF file format. Even if it contains only a small number of object types, loading and interpreting a file can be a complex task.
Figure 8.1: An overview of the glTF 2.0 file format
We will take a closer look at these objects and their function in the file format. Some of the descriptions may sound abstract, but these will be clarified once we look at an glTF example file in the Exploring an example glTF file section.
The following list describes the main elements of a glTF file:
- Scene: The top element of every glTF file is the scene. The scene is the anchor for all other elements, creating a hierarchical...