How do you share 3D models across platforms?

1 Why share 3D models?

Sharing 3D models can have many benefits, depending on your goals and audience. For example, you can showcase your portfolio, get feedback, collaborate with other artists, sell your assets, participate in contests, or educate others. Sharing 3D models can also help you reach a wider and more diverse audience, as well as increase your visibility and credibility as a 3D modeler.

2 What are the common formats?

There are many different formats for 3D models, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. OBJ is a simple and widely supported format that stores the geometry, texture coordinates, and materials of a 3D model, but it does not support animation, rigging, or lighting. FBX is a versatile and popular format that supports geometry, materials, textures, animation, rigging, lighting, and cameras; it can also store multiple objects and scenes in one file. STL is mainly used for 3D printing as it describes the surface of a 3D model as a series of triangles but does not support colors, textures, or other features. GLTF is designed for efficient and fast loading of 3D models on the web and mobile devices with support for geometry, materials, textures, animation, rigging, lighting and extensions for features such as physics and audio. USDZ is Apple's format for displaying 3D models in augmented reality (AR) on iOS devices; it supports geometry, materials, textures, animation, rigging, lighting and cameras as well as AR-specific features like occlusion and shadows.

3 How to choose the right format?

When deciding on the best format for sharing your 3D models, there are several factors to consider, such as the purpose, the platform, the size, the quality, and the compatibility of your models. To help you make an informed decision, ask yourself questions like: what is the goal of sharing your 3D models? What platform do you want to use? Do you need to optimize your 3D models for faster loading and performance? What quality do you want to showcase? And what compatibility do you need to ensure? Answering these questions can help you choose the right format for sharing your 3D models.

4 How to convert and optimize your 3D models?

Sometimes, you may need to convert or optimize your 3D models for better sharing. There are a number of tools and methods that can help you with this process, such as online converters like Online 3D Converter, AnyConv, and Convertio. Desktop software like Blender, MeshLab, and Autodesk Meshmixer can also be used to edit, convert, and optimize your 3D models. Additionally, plugins and exporters like Sketchfab Exporter, GLTF Exporter, and USDZ Exporter can be added to your 3D modeling software to export your 3D models to different formats. Finally, optimization techniques like simplifying the geometry, reducing the resolution, compressing the textures, or removing the unused features can be applied to reduce the size and complexity of your 3D models.

5 How to share your 3D models online?

Using a 3D model hosting platform, such as Sketchfab, ArtStation, or Thingiverse, is an easy and effective way to share your 3D models online. These platforms enable you to upload, display, and embed your 3D models on various websites and social media platforms. Additionally, you can customize the appearance and settings of your 3D models, such as the lighting, the background, the camera, or the annotations. Embedding your 3D models on your own website or blog is also possible, as well as sharing them on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Moreover, you can decide whether to enable or disable the download, the print, or the AR/VR options for your 3D models. Lastly, joining or creating collections, groups, or challenges related to your 3D models is an option too.

6 How to share your 3D models offline?

If you want to share your 3D models offline, you have several options. For example, you can print your 3D models using a 3D printer or a 3D printing service, and export them as files that can be stored on a USB drive or a CD. Additionally, you can also present your 3D models using a projector, a screen, or a VR/AR headset. When preparing your 3D models for printing, exporting, or presentation, you should check the scale, the orientation, the thickness, the supports, the quality, the compression, and the compatibility. Additionally, for presentation purposes, you may need to add the title, description, animation, or interactivity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?