How to make a rigged GLB character dance
Squad Dance can apply its dance routines to a compatible rigged humanoid GLB character. Import a local .glb file or a direct file link, preview the movement, then export a video from your browser.
What kind of 3D character works?
You need a humanoid character with a skeleton and a mesh attached to its bones. A GLB is a single-file version of glTF, a 3D asset format. Having a .glb extension alone does not mean a model is rigged. A static object, a photo or a character without a recognizable humanoid skeleton cannot follow these dance routines.
The editor recognizes common humanoid bone names, including Mixamo-style names. Rig compatibility varies, so preview arm, knee and foot movement before starting a long export. Squad Dance does not automatically add a skeleton to an unrigged model.
Import your character
- Open the editor and select a dancer in Squad.
- Choose “Use my own 3D character (.glb)”.
- Select your local GLB file, or use a direct URL to the GLB. A link to a model's store or preview page is not the file itself.
- Let the character finish loading. Keep its original outfit initially so you can inspect the imported model.
Test movement before making the final video
Choose a dance preset and preview it. Check shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and feet from several angles. If a limb is twisted or a foot floats, use another compatible rig or correct the model in your 3D authoring tool before importing it again.
The result is a rendered video. This workflow does not export a new animated GLB or an FBX motion file. For portrait video settings and audio, continue with the export guide.
Why a GLB might fail to load
- “Missing bones” or an unsupported humanoid rig
- The model has no usable skeleton or its bone names cannot be mapped. Check the rig in the tool where you created it. Try a known humanoid rig before changing the dance itself.
- A direct URL fails but a local file loads
- The file host may require sign-in or block cross-origin access. If you have permission to use the asset, download the actual GLB and import it locally.
- The page becomes slow or runs out of memory
- Use a simpler mesh and smaller textures, reduce the number of dancers and close other graphics-heavy tabs. Both the model and video are processed using your device's resources.
Keep a copy and check permissions
Keep the original model and save your project file. Import only characters and textures you have permission to use. Optional cloud character uploads have different storage behavior from local imports; the privacy policy explains this.