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3D models

From Canvus 26.07.4, MultiTaction Canvus shows interactive 3D models on the canvas. A model is a normal canvas item with a title, a resize handle, full-screen mode, a sidebar and a title bar.

Add a model

Drag a model file onto the canvas. These formats are supported:

  • GLB and glTF (.glb, .gltf)
  • OBJ (.obj), with its .mtl material file and textures
  • FBX (.fbx)

Prefer GLB

A GLB file holds the model, materials and textures in one file, so it looks the same on every computer. Other formats keep parts of the model in separate files:

  • OBJ. Canvus packs the .mtl material files and textures that the OBJ refers to and stores them with the model, so other computers see the materials too. This needs a 26.07.6 or later server.
  • glTF with a separate .bin file. Only the computer you dropped the file from loads the companion files, and only while they stay in their original folder.

Rotate and zoom

While the model is unpinned, dragging it moves the item, as with any other item. To turn the model:

  1. Pin the model. See Pinning content.
  2. Drag with one finger to rotate the model.
  3. Pinch with two fingers, or use the mouse wheel, to zoom.

When the model is pinned, a small rotation ball appears in its bottom-left corner. Drag one of its rings to turn the model around a single axis.

The sidebar has two more buttons:

  • Start auto-rotation / Stop auto-rotation spins the model slowly.
  • Backdrop color sets the colour behind the model.

What is shared with other people

The viewing angle, zoom and backdrop colour are saved with the canvas and shared with everyone working on it. This needs a 26.07 or later server; sharing the roll of the model needs 26.07.5 or later. On an older server the model still displays, but the view stays on your computer.

Clients older than 26.07.4 stay connected to canvases that contain 3D models. They show each model as a file placeholder with its file name and type icon. Update the client to see the model.