Extract text from material libraries (MTL)
To convert MTL material files to another format, you need Blender or other 3D software.
To convert other file formats to the "Material Properties File" file type, you need software like Blender or a similar tool.
The .MTL (Material Template Library) file is a companion text file used alongside a OBJ 3D model. It defines how the surface of the 3D geometry should react to light, specifying diffuse colors, specular highlights, transparency, and links to external texture maps. Originally developed by Wavefront Technologies, it is now an open, universal standard used by nearly all 3D software, including Blender, Autodesk Maya, and Cinema 4D.
The fundamental flaw of the .MTL format is its strict dependency on external files. It does not store images. Instead, it relies on exact file paths to link external textures (like JPG or PNG). If you move the OBJ without the .MTL and the images, or if the internal paths break, the 3D model will load completely blank. Furthermore, .MTL is an antiquated format that predates modern physically based rendering (PBR) workflows, making it inadequate for advanced game engines.
To permanently fix broken textures and prepare models for the web, you should pack the OBJ, .MTL, and images into a modern container format. For augmented reality (AR) and web browsers, convert the combined files to GLB or GLTF. For game development in Unity or Unreal Engine, convert to FBX. For Apple iOS AR environments, target USDZ.
Convert.Guru analyzes your MTL file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
Users also converted G3D, OBJ, ZIP, MTLX, PNG, RBXM, MHT, FBX, JPG, 3D, GLB, MLT and BBMODEL files.
If you want to convert MTL file to OBJ, PNG, FBX, SKP, JPG, GLB, MAT, STEP, IMAGE, DAE, 3DS or MAX, you can use Blender or similar software from the "3D Model Material Library" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert DWG, DAE, X3D, IGES, WRL, JT, SKP, 3DS, 3DM, OBJ, STEP or FBX files to MTL, try Blender or another comparable tool in the "3D Model Material Library" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our MTL converter.