A method and an apparatus for transmitting a 3D model associated to stereoscopic content are described, and more specifically a method and an apparatus for the progressive transmission of 3D models. Also described are a method and an apparatus for preparing a 3D model associated to a 3D video frame for transmission and a non-transient recording medium comprising such a prepared 3D model. The 3D model is split into one or more components. It is then determined whether a component of the one or more components is hidden by other 3D content. For transmission those components of the 3D model that are not hidden by other 3D content are transmitted first. The remaining components of the 3D model are transmitted subsequently.