journal article·2025-06-27Open access

A Fragile Watermarking Scheme for Authenticity Verification of 3D Models in GLB Format

Marcin Matczuk, Grzegorz Kozieł, Sławomir Cięszczyk

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 13

Abstract

The utilisation of 3D models in low-cost devices, such as the internet of things, virtual reality, and augmented reality, is expanding. The challenge lies in the lack of lightweight solutions for verifying the authenticity of models in the graphics library transmission format (glTF) on devices with limited resources. The glTF standard, which allows storage in glb format, is the leading standard for representing 3D assets. Despite its popularity, research on watermarking glTF models remains limited. This paper proposes a novel method for authenticating 3D models in glb format based on fragile watermarking. Additionally, an analysis was conducted to determine the impact of embedding the watermark in vertex attributes other than position on the integrity and visual quality of the model. The methodology is as follows: (1) embedding the watermark, (2) applying model modification or omitting it, and (3) verifying authenticity based on the recovered watermark. The proposed algorithm attaches a 512-bit hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) to a 3D model using the least significant bits (LSBs) modification method. The use of HMAC and LSBs has resulted in a computationally efficient algorithm that can be implemented in low-cost devices.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Steganography and Watermarking Techniques · Computer Graphics and Visualization Techniques · Chaos-based Image/Signal Encryption

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Computer Science, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 36B, 20-618 Lublin, Poland

Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Lublin University of Technology, Nadbystrzycka 38A, 20-618 Lublin, Poland

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