Available 3D models formats

For import we support OBJ, glTF, GLB model formats. If your model is simple, one-part model, you should choose OBJ format. If your model is complex, or you are downloading a model from a sketchfab, then we recommend choosing glTF/GLB formats.

OBJ format

Uploading an OBJ file with textures:

For textures to be included with models, it’s important to upload your OBJ file along with the MTL (file with a description of material settings and links to textures) and all of the associated images in one upload.

Select OBJ, MTL, and image files and drag and drop to the dashboard.

To avoid problems with importing textures, before exporting a 3D model from your 3D editor, make sure that the used textures are in the same folder where you export the model. This should automatically create an MTL file with the correct texture description.

After that, it is worth checking the results before uploading. If you see issues with your import inside ShapesXR, recheck the results and try uploading again.

Check your MTL file before uploading:

If you upload an OBJ file with textures, you should check your MTL file: Open your MTL file using the Notepad app. The line that starts with “map_Kd” should contain only the name of the texture and not the path. If it has a path, remove it and save your MTL file before uploading.

Open your MTL file using the Notepad app.

This MTL file contain path to the texture. You should remove C:Downloads\earth\Earth.

After removing the path, save this MTL file. And after that, upload it with OBJ and textures through the Dashboard.

If your model has multiple materials and textures, check each map_Kd line in your MTL file.

Known issue with buggy geometry:

Issue:

Models with multiple materials and submeshes have a buggy geometry.

Solution:

You should split the model by materials (submesh) and upload the model in separate parts.

glTF and GLB format

A simpler and more flexible alternative to importing OBJ files is to use the glTF and GLB formats. The format is actively supported on the Web. For example, you can download any downloadable model from SketchFab in this format.

Allows you to import more complex models with many materials and textures, without the complexity of importing OBJs.

We do not support skinned meshes, light sources, 3D cameras, animation for glTF/ GLB.

GLB format

Upload just GLB file.

Downloading GLB from sketchfab and uploading it through dashboard

glTF format

Upload glTF file with textures and .bin file as ZIP!

Downloading glTF as ZIP from sketchfab and uploading it through dashboard.

Archiving files in ZIP format and uploading it through dashboard.

Textures with transparency

Apply materials to textures of models:

You can also assign a material to model textures. If your model has textures with transparency, apply any material with 0.98 Alpha (or less if needed) to your model.

You can apply Unlit material with white color to get a bright texture image, that will not be affected by space lighting.

Recommended model specifications

Recommended model specifications:

Up to 10 000 vertices.

1 material per OBJ model.

3 materials per glTF or GLB model.

Textures under 1024x1024px.

Hard:

100 000 vertices, and 32 submeshes/materials with textures under 2048px.

Model Optimization

To improve the performance of your VR space with imported models, we recommend optimizing your models.

If your model has multiple textures and materials, we recommend combining the textures and materials into one texture and one material.

This helps solve many potential issues. Models with fewer materials work better in mobile graphics.

It is critical to make one texture and material for OBJ format. But for glTF or GLB formats, we also recommend minimizing the number of materials and textures.

• Bake Multiple Materials to One Texture Map - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG6ON8wZYLc

• Author: Ryan King Art

Be careful! Be careful, standalone VR is very sensitive to the number of objects, sub-objects and matrices - this can greatly affect performance.

Recommend 200-300 objects/materials per scene (Draw calls) for Quest 2. Note that ShapesXR interfaces, avatars and other elements can take 50-100 draw calls.

If it is possible to merge individual geometries into one model and merge textures, this will help you save performance in your scenes.