3D Object Import
Introduction
There are many tools that can help you create 3D models for Lens Studio like Maya, Cinema4D, Blender, 3ds Max and more. Additionally, there are resources online to download 3D models like Sketchfab. You can also scan something in 3D using Qlone and export a Lens Studio project directly within the app. In this guide, we will go over the basics of how to import 3D objects.
Lens Studio supports the FBX, GLTF, and OBJ file formats which can be generated by many 3D tools.
The FBX and GLTF file formats are very feature rich and can contain data like meshes, animations, skeletons, textures and more. OBJ files only contain meshes and textures but offer high import compatibility.
Generally speaking, if you're exporting your own 3D objects, it's recommended to use the FBX or GLTF formats and follow our 3D Object Export guide. For 3D objects that are downloaded from other sources, like Sketchfab, it's recommended to use the OBJ format for the highest compatibility.
3D Object Import
If you have a 3D model that you've exported and are ready to import it into Lens Studio, please refer to the following import guide:
3D Asset Workflow
Unpacking
When importing certain assets, the inspector might appear greyed out and the asset will not be editable. For these cases, you will have to right click the asset and select unpack
to make any edits to the assets.
Unpacking should be done if you are not planning to update the package with a newer version from an external source. On unpacking, all links to source file (lso / native package / fbx) are removed from the project and cannot be brought back.
External Update
If you would like to iterate on your 3D files, the original 3D file should not be unpacked. If any changes need to be made to packed materials, copies should be created and re-assigned across instances. If changes need to be made to the scene hierarchy, instances are updated just like during usual work with prefabs.
Steps to update FBX file with external changes:
- Drag and drop the asset into the Assets Directory of the Project folder
- Lens Studio will re-import the changes and if the changes were in a custom prefab instance, you will need to select 'Apply' from the prefab asset to propogate the external updates to scene instances
A message will be present in the logger indicating that a change has been detected. External changes detected in prefab: "prefab path". Please apply/revert the changes from the prefab inspector panel to
An icon next to the prefab instances which have their local changes;
Related Guides
Please refer to the guides below for additional information: