So what is the FBX file format anyway? (I know, a question you have always asked yourself.) FBX is a file extension created by a company called Kaydara for their animation program Filmbox in 1996. Kaydara was later acquired by Autodesk and the application was renamed MotionBuilder. Under the software developer Autodesk, the format has become one of the most popular formats for game assets for a number of reasons. First, it does a great job of exporting geometry and is supported by many of the most popular 3D applications. Second, it is capable of exporting your materials settings. When you import FBX files into Unreal for example, you have the option of bringing texture and material information with you, which can save time. Lastly, it is capable of exporting animation information. This will be important later, in Chapter 8, Lights, Camera, Animation!, when we create an animated asset for our level.

One of the only downsides to FBX is that it is a proprietary file format. Autodesk...