How to Import an FBX File Into Blender

An FBX is a common file format which stores 3D geometry, animation data, and more. FBX is a fairly universal file type in 3D software. FBX files are often used in VFX, Virtual Reality (VR), video games, and much more.

If you have an FBX file and want to import it into Blender, here’s how to do it.

The Easy Way to Import FBX to Blender

Recently, Blender has expanded our capability to drag-and-drop files into Blender, including FBX files. This is a faster way to import FBX files into Blender. Here’s how.

With Blender running, simply find the desired FBX file on your computer and drag it into the 3D Viewport.

When we drag an FBX file into the viewport, we are given a screen with settings for how we want the FBX import to occur.

Generally, we won’t need to make any adjustments to the FBX import settings. If the FBX is animated, make sure the checkbox for “Animation” is checked. If the FBX needs to be resized, we can increase or decrease it’s scale.

Blender Add-On Spotlight

HUION Inspiroy H950P Drawing Tablet, 8×5 inch Digital Art Tablet with Battery-Free Stylus, 8192 Pen Pressure, Tilt, 8 Hot Keys, Graphic Tablet for Design, Writing, OSU, Work with Mac, PC, Mobile

Press “Import FBX” to import the FBX file into the Blender scene. Press play on the timeline to see the FBX animation.

Unfortunately, we can only drag and drop one FBX file at a time into Blender. To import multiple FBX files at once, we’ll have to use the next method.

Manually Import FBX File into Blender

An alternative way to import an FBX file into Blender is to use the Import function from the File Menu. This option also allows us to import multiple FBX files at once into Blender.

In Blender’s top bar, go to “File.” Choose “Import” and then select “FBX.”

We will now be taken to a file browser where we can navigate to our FBX file. We can select multiple FBX files to import at the same time, and these imported files will share the import settings we choose.

On the right side of the file browser will be the same options to set preferences for our imported FBX file(s).

Again, it’s unusual for any changes to be necessary for the FBX file to import properly. Press “Import FBX” on the bottom right of the screen and the selected FBX file(s) will be imported into Blender.

Imported FBX files generally appear at the world origin. They aren’t placed at the 3D cursor. Where they end up in relation to their origin points is decided by where the origin point is placed in the original FBX file. So, you may occasionally have the models imported into unusual places.

Want to learn more? Here are other common 3D file types.

Video Tutorial

If you prefer to see how to import an FBX into Blender, see the following tutorial from My YouTube Channel:

Brandon Stocking

Brandon Stocking is a husband, father, and digital artist who writes about whatever he wants to in his free time… but mostly Blender.