In order to display your models in a secure way over the Internet, you will need the 3D ModelWORKS Converter. This utility provides a number of advantages, including:
The 3D ModelWORKS Converter is a utility that we provide for you. In order to access the 3D ModelWORKS Converter for download, you must be registered with this site as a modeler. If you are a modeler who does not use 3DLinX(tm) software (see note below) and this utility has not yet been downloaded, please do so now by logging onto the site and clicking DOWNLOADS on the menu bar. There, you will find the 3D ModelWORKS Converter installation and instructions, as shown here.
Note: The 3DMW Converter and web site make use of the .3XE format that is compatible with Global Majic Software's 3DLinX(tm). While the 3D ModelWORKS Converter provides all of the basic functionality needed to display models in 3D on the 3D ModelWORKS web site, the use of the 3DLinX tool allows the addition of articulations and mouse interactions, among other features. For a good example of the possibilities, see the Case 5801 Backhoe (under Heavy Equipment/Industrial). Using mouse buttons and keystrokes, the backhoe and bucket on this tractor can be operated. Additionally, in future 3DMW releases, more of the power of 3DLinX will be incorporated into the site such as special effects as fire, smoke, explosions and lens flares will also be possible. 3DLinX users should therefore not download the 3DMW Converter and should instead use their copy of 3DLinX for converting native formats to .3XE for upload to the 3DMW web site.
IMPORTING
To import a model, select IMPORT from the FILE menu. Select the .3DS, .OBJ or .FLT file for import from the file selector dialog box. The model will be imported into the 3DMW Converter window.
SAVING
To save this model in .3XE format, select SAVE AS 3XE under the FILE menu and input the name of the .3XE file for export.
UPLOADING
Once a file is in .3XE format, you can upload it to the 3D ModelWORKS site for viewing by potential customers. To upload a model, consult the tutorial "Preparing Your Model For Upload and Viewing". This tutorial is downloaded with the utility and is also available at the 3D ModelWORKS web site (www.3dmodelworks.com).
Note: You can try this program with the sample files in the MODELS directory included with this installation. Under the File option, click OPEN or IMPORT to load the desired format. The model should appear in the gray box located in the center of the form. This center gray area of the form is hereinafter referred to as the 3DMW Converter window.
The following mouse actions cause the movement of the camera within the 3DMW Converter window.
Mouse Button Move Direction Action Right X No Action Right Y Zoom camera forwards/backwards Left X Spin camera along X-axis Left Y Spin camera along Y-axis Middle X Pan left/right Middle Y Pan up/down
The following commands are available from the menu bar at the top of the 3DMW Converter application.
Menu SubMenu Description File Open 3XE Opens a .3XE file and positions the model in the center of the 3DMW Converter window. Note that some models are built with location offsets and may not be positioned on the screen for adequate viewing. In this case, use the right mouse button (see Mouse Actions above) to back up until the model is in full view. Import 3DS Imports a .3DS file and positions the model in the center of the 3DMW Converter window. Import OBJ Imports an .OBJ model file, and positions the model in the center of the 3DMW Converter window. The .OBJ is an available output format for several modeling packages. This is the preferred method of the 3D ModelWORKS web site for importing models into a .3XE format. Import FLT Imports an Openflight (.FLT) model file and positions the model in the center of the 3DMW Converter window. FLT is an available output format for several modeling packages. Save As 3XE Saves the model that has been loaded into the 3DMW Converter window (through IMPORT or OPEN) as a new .3XE file. Before saving a .3XE file, it is recommended that the orientation of the model be verified as correct. See the Rotate Entity and Show Arrow commands (below). Clear Scene Removes all entities from the 3DMW Converter window. Exit Exits the program. Edit Lighting Includes or excludes any lighting aspects of the model by turning these features on and off. Background Sets the background color of the 3DMW Converter window. Camera Speed Sets how fast or slow the camera moves about a model. Reset Camera Resets the camera to its original position. Refresh List Fills the contents of the information list containing specifications about the loaded model and its components. This list is located below the 3DMW Converter window. Actions Rotate Entity Rotates the model in any direction within a 360( radius. While other 3DMW Converter commands and mouse actions within the application only move the camera, the options in this submenu actually move the model. Moving a model is useful in aligning one that has come into the 3DMW Converter window along a different axis. Proper orientation should be verified before saving out a .3XE file. Offset Entity Changes the center point for a model. See also ACTION FORMS below. Lighting Changes the lighting for a model or for meshes within the model. See also ACTION FORMS below. Show Small Arrow Displays an orienting axis arrow within the scene to indicate the direction that the 3DMW Converter expects a model to be oriented. Use in conjunction with the Rotate Entity command. Show Large Arrow Displays the orienting axis arrow at ten times the size of the small one. Help About Contains information regarding the 3D ModelWORKS Model Converter.
Once a model has been loaded into the 3DMW Converter window, a limited set of functions can be utilized to ensure optimal viewing on the 3D ModelWORKS web site before the model is saved out. All of these operations are located under the ACTIONS menu bar.
Different modeling packages use different orientation axes. If the orientation of your model affects its appearance, then it should line up with the Y-axis pointing upward. To see the orientation assumption that the ModelWORKS viewer places on a model, select Show Large Arrow or Show Small Arrow (depending on the size of the model). Then select Rotate options until the model is rotated like the arrow. Save the .3XE entity once this process is complete.
Similar to rotating, offsetting changes the perceived center point of your model. Open the OFFSET ENTITY form, and change X, Y, or Z values until the desired center point is set. Save the .3XE entity once complete.
Not all modeling packages save lighting information in the same manner. This can lead to a model looking better in one format as opposed to another. The .3XE file format saves lighting in a manner similar to 3D Studio, that is, through ambient, diffuse, and specular lighting values applied to meshes within a model.
The LIGHTING form works in two different modes. When the form first appears, the entire model is selected. Changes to any of the lighting values will affect those values to every mesh within the model. So, be careful with this option!
While the form is active, you can double-click a particular mesh within your model. Do this using the list box of the main form. This changes the focus for the lighting form to the selected mesh. Changes to the lighting values at this point will only affect this individual mesh.
To go back to the entire model, either double-click the model name within the list box, or close the form and re-open it. If you make any changes now to the entire model, you will negate any prior changes made to individual meshes.
Changes are not made permanent until you execute the SAVE AS 3XE command under the FILE menu.