Google is open-sourcing its 3D emoji

Published July 18, 2026 · Category: Tech

Overview

Now, if you want to, you can use Google's 3D emoji in your own creations. The company shared some details about how it went about designing the little pictograms and why, as part of World Emoji Day on Friday. Things you might not necessarily worry about in a 2D illustration suddenly become very important when you're talking about a 3D model. Is a smiley face a sphere? A mask? A flat disc?

In addition to offering a behind-the-scenes look at Google's design process, it also announced that it would be completely open-sourcing the emoji set:

We're handing over raw .OBJ files to the community so they can use them to build immersive VR worlds, …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Source

Originally published at www.theverge.com.

Related Articles

• Google might not kneecap the Pixel 11a with an old processor
• GoPro’s discounted Max 2 bundle includes $100 worth of accessories
• The Guardian’s Carter Sherman fondly remembers being terrified by Ocarina of Time