Creating a new project and importing a 3D model
A Spatial project is a file created in Spatial Editor that stores the information about the 3D model in use, along with markers and other content added to it.
- After signing in, click on Create New Project.
- Click on Import Model in the top bar and select the file you want to upload.
- To try it out, you can download this file, which contains a 3D test model, an F1 Car.
You can choose the import scale based on your requirements. Do not worry if the chosen scale turns out to be incorrect. This can be adjusted again in the model settings after the upload. If the steps or components added to the workflow seem too big or too small, the scale needs to be adjusted accordingly.
To change the orientation of the model, click inside the Scene Explorer on the left of the window. Here is an F1 car model. To rotate the 3D scene, left-click over the scene and drag the mouse. Doing the same with a right-click instead pans the scene. Scrolling with the mouse wheel zooms in and out of the scene. Here is one example with an F1 car model:
Exporting a model
To export the model:
- Select the Export Model option on the top.
1. The model will be exported in the GLB format.
Select the appropriate details according to your needs:
- Export only selected: Only the selected model will be exported.
- Ignore Non-Selected Parent Transforms: If enabled, unselected parent assembly transformations are ignored, and the selection is exported to the center. If disabled, the parent transformations will be taken into account, and the selection will be exported in the same position relative to them, even though the parent transformations themselves are not exported.
- Export hidden: Hidden transformations will also be included.
For more information on the connection status, please see the Server Connection section for the Spatial Workplace app.
Model settings
You can change the disposition of the whole 3D model, its coordinates, and metrics using the model settings.
To open a model's settings, select its assembly. Assemblies are the main models that include other parts shown as bars. For example, in this case, the assembly is the real size of an F1 engine. When you click on it, the subparts will be listed below, as shown here:
These parts can be edited in the Settings menu on the right.
The main functionalities of these settings are:
- Transform: Allows you to edit the position and rotation of the whole model along its axis. The reset buttons below restore the original position and rotation.
- Pivot point: Allows you to adjust the pivot point of an assembly. The pivot point is the point of a part/assembly, or model, around which it rotates. Move this point directly to the center of a part or the model by clicking on Move to Center. Alternatively, click Adjust with Gizmo to use the item's gizmo to move the point to where you want it. The pivot point can be moved for individual parts, assemblies, or the whole model.
Note: To correct a wrongly displayed model, you can use a combination of quick rotations and coordinate system changes.
You can also delete a 3D model from the Scene. Apply the following steps to do that:
1. Select the assembly of the model that you would like to delete.
2. Select Delete from the dropdown menu on the right.
Assembly (Main model) settings
The Assembly/Part settings menu appears on the right when selecting any part that is not the root element.
The main functionalities of these settings are:
- Transform: Allows you to modify the position and rotation of an assembly or part, and reset the respective defaults.
- Quick-navigate buttons: Allow you to move the currently selected item to the parent assembly or to the top assembly (root element).
Hiding models
You can hide user-created model parts and assemblies.
To do this, use the Scene Explorer to tick or untick the box next to the desired element to hide or show it, respectively. This is available for all parts, except for the default workflow start and end steps.
Selecting multiple parts
Multiple parts can also be selected in the Scene Explorer and the 3D scene by holding down Ctrl while selecting. The keyboard shortcut H can be used to hide all the selected parts at once.
Grouping model parts into a collection
Creating a workflow often involves building animations and scene states. Imported models, however, may not be structured to make it easy to repeatedly select the same parts across different tree branches.
This feature allows users to group model parts or assemblies into collections or groups, which can then be used as targets for scene states and animations.
- Select multiple model parts by holding Ctrl and clicking each part.
- Go to Objects.
- Choose Create Group.
- A new group appears in the Scene at the bottom line. Any changes to the original parts (e.g., edits or deletions) are automatically reflected in the group.
Additionally, the Inspector Panel on the right displays the properties of the selected step or part, including components, markers, and workflow parts. Users can modify these properties and add values.
Saving a project as .v3pproj file
Project files are created in the Frontline Spatial Editor and contain information about the 3D model in use, along with the markers and content added to it. Projects can be saved locally as .v3pproj files. To do so:
- Click on Save in the top menu.
- Choose the folder where the file should be saved.
- After the file is saved, the name of the saved project appears at the top of the software window. If there are any unsaved changes in the project, the name is followed by an asterisk (*).