Tutorial: Preparing Your Model for Upload and Viewing

 

Use this example tutorial to help prepare your model for upload and viewing on the web using the 3D ModelWORKS Converter. For the purposes of this tutorial, an F16.OBJ example model is used to help clarify information, but you will need to substitute your own model and model files accordingly.  A “check list” is included for your convenience at the end of this tutorial in order for you to quickly ascertain steps after you have been through this process a few times.

 

Organize the Model

All right, you know this already, but it can’t be stressed enough that good structural organization in your model is essential. When offering a model for sale in multiple formats, it must sometimes be organized to the “most common denominator”. It is no doubt important, then, that each group or part in the model is given a unique name.

 

For example, when a model is purchased that is organized by names such as “group 1”, “group2”, “material 1”, “texture1”, etc., a considerable amount of time will inevitably be spent re-organizing. This tends to lesson a customer's desire to buy other models organized in the same fashion (or from that particular modeler) as a result. With this in mind, it is wise to make a habit of assigning descriptive group names and prepare your model with the thought that someone else is going to have to make sense of it. This small amount of upfront effort will save headaches in the long run and make a lasting impression on you and your work.

Prepare the Model for Upload

Export the Model

Once your model is well organized and complete, it is ready to export. 

  1. Create a new directory or folder for your model where you will be storing a number of support items. This tutorial uses an F16 as a model example.
  2. Decide on a file format. Our F16 uses .OBJ as the export example since most packages support this format.

Note: For unsupported formats, there are a variety of conversion tools available on the web, such as those listed here. Some are obviously more expensive than others, so look for one that best suits your needs. 

·         3dexplorer http://www.xdsoft.xom,  ($199.00)

·         polytrans http://www.okino.com , ($395.00)

·         3dWin 3d file converter http://www.stmuc.com/thbaier/format_info.html, ($39.95)

·         Breeze Converter http://www.imagos.fl.net.au/beos/bc.html , (shareware)

·         Quick 3D http://quick3d.org/m , ($159.00)

·         Crossroads http://web3d.about.com/compute/web3d/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.europa.com%2F%7Ekeithr%2Fcrossroads%2F

  1. Check that you have, at a minimum, the following file types in your folder for your model. These files make up the .OBJ format for our F16 model, as denoted by the names.

·         f16.OBJ (geometry)

·         f16.MTL (materials)

·         f16.JPG (texture)

Load the Model

At this point, you can now load your model file into 3D ModelWORKS Converter. 

  1. Open 3D ModelWORKS Converter and select import.OBJ from the File menu. If using a format different than our example, then substitute .OBJ for your extension type. Your model should come into view.
  2. Position the camera view using the left and right mouse buttons.

Caution: If your model loads without texture, it is because the 3D ModelWORKS Converter cannot locate them. Make sure that the paths to the textures are correct. If you have any problems, please feel free to contact us at support@3dmodelworks.com.

Note: Models are seen in units in the 3D ModelWORKS Converter. It is assumed that one unit equals one meter. If your model is measured in inches, it will appear to come in very large. This does not affect the actual model. You can easily adjust the camera view in order to compensate.

Orient the Model

The 3DModelWORKS web viewer requires that all models are oriented along the Z-axis. For example, the F16 view is oriented as if you are looking up the tailpipe towards the nose. Your model must be correctly oriented to ensure that it comes into the viewer properly. Orientation will only need to be adjusted for the .3XE or 3D ModelWORKS Converter files. For the other formats that you support, your model should be oriented for that particular format. In 3D ModelWORKS, we help to orient the .3XE so that it will load correctly.

  1. In the 3D ModelWORKS Converter, select the orienting axis arrow, Show Small Arrow or Show Large Arrow, from the ACTIONS menu to show the model’s correct orientation when loaded.

Note: Notice that the model appears with the nose (or front) positive in Z, with the right side positive in X, and the top positive in Y. 

  1. If your model is not oriented correctly, select Rotate Entity from the ACTIONS menu to move your model about the different axis until it is. As you adjust the view, position the model so that it is displayed completely in the viewer. 
  2. Notice the radius number at the bottom center of the viewer and jot this number down.
Record Model Information

At this point, you will need to make note of some data for entry when you upload the model to the web. This data will be used later in the tutorial.

Hint: You will find it helpful to print out the check list at the end of this tutorial and enter the information in the appropriate lines.

  1. Notice information about your model in the lower section of the 3D ModelWORKS Converter window.  
  2. Write down the numbers for the following and keep this information handy.

·         Number of Tris (triangles)

·         Texture Count (number of textures)

·         Camera Radius (radius of camera travel which is how far from the model the camera will be positioned on the web)

·         Camera Rate (rate at which the camera moves; slow is preferred)

Save the File
  1. Save the .3xe model into the folder that you created.
  2. Name this file YourModelName.3xe.
Provide Support Files

Some files must be generated to support our model. 3DModelWORKS allows you to load a "beauty shot" and a 3D view or plan view image of your model. 

  1. Lay out images similar to our F16 for your model. Make them the same size as the examples below and follow the same naming convention (i.e., f16_pict.JPG and f16_3v.JPG).

                                  

            f16_pict.JPG                                                                                                    f16_3v.JPG

  1. Notice that the plan view has more than three views.

Note: It is advisable to include a top, side, front, and perspective when possible.

  1. Make the beauty shot and the plan view images 300 X 200 pixels.

Hint: You can copy and use these images as templates in the future.

  1. Create a description of your model. This can be a WORD document, HTML, etc.

Hint: Using HTML will allow your description to carry links to other pages.

  1. If uploading other formats, create a zip file for each. 

a. The zip file should, at minimum, contain the following files (using the .OBJ format as an example).

·         .OBJ file (the geometry file)

·         .MTL file (the material file)

·         .JPG file (texture file or files)

b. Name this zip file YourModelName_ext.zip. For example, our model name is f16_obj.zip.

Hint: Always give your files a descriptive name. For example, if uploading a 3Dstudio file, name the file f16_3ds.zip or f16_max.zip. This practice helps the buyers identify the files that they want.

Ready…Set…Upload

You are almost ready to upload your .3xe model. This is the model that the viewer on the web site will use. 

  1. Ensure that your folder contains, at minimum, the same file types as our F16 example:

·         f16.3xe

·         f16_pict.JPG

·         f16_3v.JPG

·         f16_obj.zip (optional, if you are selling this format)

·         f16_3ds.zip (optional, if you are selling this format)

·        f16.html

  1. Login to 3DModelWORKS and go to My Account.

Note: You should have already created your own account. If not, please register!

  1. Under Modeler Options, choose Add a new model.
  2. Enter a model name in the Model Name box.

5.      Choose the category that most closely matches your model from the Model Category drop-down list. If a suitable category does not exist, contact us with your suggestion.

  1. The Owner box will automatically contain either your or your company's name.

  1. Enter the Polygon Count (tris), Texture Count (number of textures), and Texture Size (example format, 512X512). Use the data that you took down in the RECORD MODEL INFORMATION section of this tutorial.

  1. Here you will actually upload the files.

a.      Enter the Image Path by browsing to the f16_pict.JPG image.

b.      Enter the 3Way Image by browsing to the f16_3v.JPG.

c.      Enter the .3XE Path by browsing to the model that will be viewed on the web. If you do not upload this model, it will be completely unavailable for viewing.

d.      Enter .3XE File Size of the .3xe that you just uploaded.

  1. These fields are for use by those who have 3DLinX, but you may use them as well to supply further information about your model.

a.      Select if the model has Levels of Detail (LODs).

b.      Select if the model is Jointed  (3DLinX only).

c.      Select if the model is Grouped (i.e., if the model is broken down into parts or groups).

d.      Choose whether or not to Add Light (camera light) to the scene.

Note: Adding camera light is generally desired.

  1. Enter the Camera Rate and Camera Radius from your 3D ModelWORKS Converter information list.

 

  1. Enter a short description of your model.

  1. The following two fields are for 3DLinX users only. With 3DLinX, you can make your model interactive and have functional joints in 3DModelWORKS. For more information about 3DLinX, contact sales@globalmajic.com

  1. Enter the long description of your model. You can paste from WORD, WORD PAD, HTML, etc., or simply type in a description. Again by using HTML, you can embed hyperlinks to other pages!

  1. Add keywords for our search engine by either scrolling through the existing list or creating new ones.

Hint: You may want to include your name as a keyword so that buyer can search for all of your models.

  1. Press the ADD button to load the model and support data.

Note: Depending on your connection speed, this may take time. Naturally, large files will take longer.

  1. After a successful load, you will be asked to add model formats. Select your zip files (the F16 example includes the f16_obj.zip and the f16_3ds.zip files) to be added to New Format 1.
  2. Set your Price for model. If it is free, enter 0.
  3. Browse to the appropriate File Path.
  4. Enter the File Size of the appropriate zip file.
  5. Check the Agreement box of this form if you agree to the terms of the FTS agreement.

Note: This is IMPORTANT. This allows us to provide certain financial services to you and take a percentage of each sale of the model for those services. If you are selling the model on your own, you do not need to upload the model in any format other than the .3XE. Please read the agreement. It is optional. We think that you will find it very beneficial and trouble free.

  1. Congratulations! You have completed the upload process. You can now view your model on the web!!

If you had or have any difficulties at all with this process, please contact us at support@3dmodelworks.com.

 

3D ModelWORKS Upload Checklist

Print the following helpful checklist to verify your steps. An asterisk (*) denotes those categories for 3DLinX users only.

Preparing to Upload: General

q       Model Name _____________________ (Enter the name of your model.)

q       Model Category___________________ (Select model category.)

q       Owner ___fills in automatically _______ (Your name or company name.)

q       Polygon Count ___________________ (Number of polygons in your model.)

q       Texture Count ___________________ (Number of textures in your model.)

q       Texture Size ____________________  (List each, i.e., 128X128, 512X512, etc.)

q       Image path______________________ (Browse to 120X100 pixel -------_pict.jpg.)

q       3Way View ______________________(Browse to 120X100 pixel ------_3v.jpg.)

q       3xe Path ________________________(Browse to -----.3xe file location.)

q       3xe File Size_____________________ (The size of the -----.3xe file.)

q       LOD ____________________________ (If multiple levels of detail, select YES.)

q       Jointed*_________________________ (If multiple articulation joints, select YES.)

q       Grouped________________________(If model is broken into groups, select YES.)

q       Add Light _______________________(Generally desired to add light, select YES.)

q       Camera Rate _____________________ (Rate from 3DModelWorks Converter.)

q       Camera Radius ___________________ (Radius from 3DModelWorks Converter.)

q       Short Description _________________ (Short Description of your model.)

q       Interaction Description* ____________ (List of keys controlling articulations.)

q       Exercise Script* _______________ (Script for automated exercise of articulations.)

q       Description ______________________ (Detailed description of model. See below.)

Description should contain the following at minimum:

q       Dimensions and units built in (Inches, feet, meters, etc.)

q       Original modeling package

q       Unique characteristics of model

q       Number of LODs and poly count of each load (If the model has LODs.)

q       If handling your own financial transactions, credit card orders, etc., include a clear statement here that the buyer must email you directly to make arrangements to purchase the model. 

Ready to Upload: Formats

q       New Format ______________ (Select upload format. If unlisted, select other.)

q       Price ___________________ (The price you want for this model/format.)

q       File path ________________ (Browse to .zip file location containing ALL SUPPORT FILES FOR THIS FORMAT.)

q       File Size ________________  (Size of .zip file.)

q       AGREEMENT. If you upload a model to our site, you agree to the terms of our financial contract. (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.) If you do not wish to use our financial services, this page may still be used to define formats. However, you should not upload the formats other than the .3XE viewable file. If handling all financial transactions on your own, this must be clearly stated in the model’s description.