--- title: How to export Bone-Based Animations from 3ds Max to GLB (for USDZ) description: Exporting mesh animations using Bones and Skin Modifier, compatible with USDZ. Ideal for rigged objects like mechanical parts, furniture with moving pieces, or characters. Only assign each group of --- [Skip to content](https://help.realitymax.com/how-to-export-bone-based-animations-from-3ds-max-to-glb-for-usdz#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![image-3](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-3.png?width=250&height=64&name=image-3.png)](https://realitymax.com/) - [Read our guides](https://realitymax.com/guides/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Read our guides](https://realitymax.com/guides/) - English Show submenu for translations - Go to RealityMAX Go to RealityMAX Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [RealityMAX Help Center](https://help.realitymax.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Reality 3D Composer](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en) 3. [Tutorials - Scene](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-scene) # How to export Bone-Based Animations from 3ds Max to GLB (for USDZ) Exporting mesh animations using **Bones and Skin Modifier**, compatible with USDZ. Ideal for rigged objects like mechanical parts, furniture with moving pieces, or characters. #### Step 1: Prepare your mesh 1. Attach all parts (e.g., cabinet + drawers) into a single mesh 1. Right-click → Convert to Editable Poly 2. Use Attach to merge all objects 2. Rename the mesh clearly (e.g., Cabinet\_Main) ![Animation 2](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RMAX%20EN/Animation%202.jpg?width=643&height=601&name=Animation%202.jpg) #### Step 2: Create a skeleton (bone hierarchy) 1. Go to Create \> Systems \> Bones 2. Create one bone per animated part (e.g., Bone\_Drawer1, Bone\_Drawer2, etc.) 3. Create a Dummy or extra bone as the root (e.g., Root\_Bone) 4. Use **Select and Link** to parent all bones to the root: ![Animation 3](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RMAX%20EN/Animation%203.jpg?width=688&height=571&name=Animation%203.jpg) #### Step 3: Skin the mesh 1. Select the mesh and apply a **Skin Modifier** 2. In Add Bones, add all bones (Bone\_Drawer1, etc.) 3. Assign vertices to each bone: 1. Enter Envelope mode 2. Enable Vertices + Select 3. Select the correct vertices per part 4. Use Assign Weight or Weight Tool to set **1.0 weight** to the matching bone Only assign each group of vertices to **one bone** for rigid motion (no deformation). ![Animation 4](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RMAX%20EN/Animation%204.jpg?width=688&height=612&name=Animation%204.jpg) #### Step 4: Animate the bones 1. Enable Auto Key 2. Animate each bone at different frames (e.g., drawers moving forward) 3. Make sure the **bones are moving**, not the mesh directly #### Step 5: Export with Babylon 1. Menu: Rendering \> Babylon File Exporter 2. Set format to .glb Check these options: - Export animations - Auto bake animations - Export tangents (optional for normal maps) - Export only selected (if needed) - Important: Babylon supports **only one SkinnedMesh** per skeleton hierarchy #### Notes - All bones must be under a **single root hierarchy** (Dummy or Bone) - Only one mesh with one Skin Modifier allowed - Perfect for structured motions (drawers, robotic arms, etc.) - USDZ does **not** support multiple skins or morph targets ![Animation 3](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RMAX%20EN/Animation%203.gif?width=688&height=382&name=Animation%203.gif) #### Important Note: Avoid 2-Sided Materials USDZ does **not support 2-sided materials**. Using them may result in faces not rendering correctly or disappearing in AR viewers (such as iOS Quick Look or Safari). To ensure proper compatibility: - **Do not enable** the 2-Sided checkbox in Standard or Physical Materials - **Avoid** using the 2-Sided Material shader node (with Front and Back slots) - Always check your face normals and ensure they are facing outward - If you need both sides visible, **duplicate the geometry** and flip normals manually Use the **Normal modifier** in 3ds Max or manually flip polygons in sub-object mode to correct normals. - [Reality 3D Composer](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#introduction) - [Tutorials - Dashboard](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-dashboard) - [Tutorials - Scene](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-scene) - [Tutorials - Objects and materials](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-objects-and-materials) - [Tutorials - Collaborate](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-collaborate) - [Tutorials - Publish](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-publish) - [Tutorials - Live](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-3d-composer?hsLang=en#tutorials-live) - [Reality AI Flows](https://help.realitymax.com/reality-ai-flows?hsLang=en) - [Account & Billing](https://help.realitymax.com/account-billing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Account](https://help.realitymax.com/account-billing?hsLang=en#account) - [Billing](https://help.realitymax.com/account-billing?hsLang=en#billing) - [General FAQs](https://help.realitymax.com/general-faqs?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Reality 3D Composer - Upload & Edit](https://help.realitymax.com/general-faqs?hsLang=en#reality-3d-composer-upload-edit) - [Reality 3D Composer - Share](https://help.realitymax.com/general-faqs?hsLang=en#reality-3d-composer-share) - [Reality 3D Composer](https://help.realitymax.com/general-faqs?hsLang=en#reality-3d-composer) - [3D modeling](https://help.realitymax.com/general-faqs?hsLang=en#3d-modeling) [![RealityMaxLogo-Red](https://help.realitymax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RealityMaxLogo-Red.png?width=200&height=41&name=RealityMaxLogo-Red.png "RealityMaxLogo-Red")](https://realitymax.com) RealityMAX Help Center Copyright © 2026, Digital-Link, LLC