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Using 3D

Once you’ve imported your 3D model, you can add it into your current active scene by dragging it onto your canvas.

Adding a 3D component to an AR scene

When you add a 3D model into a scene which is in 2D Mode, your project mode will shift to 3D Mode. You cannot switch back to a 2D scene until all 3D content has been removed.

3D mode is navigated differently to 2D mode, as three-dimensional orbit controls are unlocked. You can navigate the 3D scene using either the navigation cube at the found bottom-right of the canvas, or by using keyboard and mouse shortcuts.

Navigating the 3D AR scene

When using your mouse and keyboard, you can use the following shortcuts:

  • Hold left-click to orbit around your project.
  • Hold right-click (or left click and shift on the keyboard) to pan across the canvas.
  • Use the scroll wheel to zoom in and out.

With the 3D navigation cube, you can orbit around your project by left-clicking the cube and moving your cursor around the screen. You can also snap to a direction by clicking that face on the cube.

As with the other Designer components, you can edit the properties of your model through the Properties Panel.

Transforming Components in 3D space

You may use the Properties Panel to make the following adjustments to your 3D model:

PropertyDescription
ContentReplace the 3D component with another 3D component you have uploaded to the Media Library.
TransformsEdit the Size (Width, Height and Depth), Position (X/Y/Z coordinates), and Rotation (degrees on the X/Y/Z axes) of the 3D model. You can also Mirror the 3D component and change the 3D model’s layer Order (forwards or backwards) relative to other scene components.
ActionsCreate interactivity by adding an on tap Action to the 3D component.
Transition EffectsAdd an Enter or Exit transition effect to the 3D component.

You can also use the Global Properties panel to enable shadows on all 3D components in your project.

By default, your model will scale in with a locked aspect ratio when adjusting scale. To edit each axis individually, select the unlock button in the ‘Transforms’ tab.

You can update the transforms of a selected model using the Context Bar on your canvas (shown below).

The Context Bar allows you to control the following:

SectionDescription
MoveMove the selected component in the X, Y, or Z axis.
ScaleScale the selected component in the X, Y, or Z axis.
RotateRotate the selected component in the X, Y, or Z axis.
DuplicateDuplicate the selected component.
Lock/UnlockLock or unlock the selected component from transform functions.
DeleteDelete selected component.
RecenterRecenter your view on the canvas to default.
Snap to surfaceRecenter and snap your component to the surface of the tracking type.
Undo/RedoUndo or redo any changes you have made to your component.

Want to learn how to add interaction to 3D models in your scene? Click here.