Working with Objects

Importing Objects

The built-in object library may not contain all of the objects necessary for carrying out your project. The program lets you import other objects stored on your disk in the following formats:

The Image option listed above does not let you import a 3D model but a regular graphic file. The program will automatically create a 3D Image object from it.

To import an object from a file:

  1. Tap on the Menu button The Menu button in the toolbar and choose Import and then From File.
  2. Select a file you want to import.
  3. Verify the import options. You can keep the default settings which should work well in most cases.
  4. Tap on Import.

As soon as an object is added to your project, you can change its type and other properties. By default, the type of all imported objects is Furniture. If you imported a door, window or staircase, select the proper object type in the Type and Representation dialog.

Imported objects may have references to one or several textures. You may be asked to locate a folder containing those textures. You can also opt to skip opening textures and simply use the materials from the built-in library.

Import Options

Split Object Instances

The Split Object Instances option can split a compound object turning its parts into separate objects. An imported object will be added to your project as a group which includes all of the original parts.

Models can be split only when they are made out of several components. For example, some models are composed of several objects (a lamp, a computer, books, etc. on a table). If objects are made up of components, you can split them to remove or rearrange some of these components.

You have an additional option to split all or only identical objects.

The ability to split a model depends on how it was created.

Merge submeshes with similar materials

By merging submeshes, the program can remove excessive details from the object model. This can potentially simplify the model and increase the rendering speed.

This optimization can limit your ability to apply different materials to different object parts. We can learn how this option works with an example of two cubes.

The first cube has different materials on its sides. In other words, it has no similar materials. Turning the option on or off will give you the same result.

The second cube has the same material applied to all of its sides. When the option is off, an imported cube will have the original material on its sides. You will be able to apply another material to any side of the cube. If you import the cube again with the activated option, the imported cube will look exactly as before, but the 3D model will be changed. If you now apply a new material to any object side, all of the sides will change.

Make all surfaces double-sided to avoid invisible surfaces

This option fixes the problem with invisibility of one-sided surfaces.

When you look at a cube, you can see any of its six sides. To visualize them, 3D software creates faces by one per each side. Faces allow the application of a plain color or texture to corresponding parts of an object making them visible. If there is a need to show the cube from inside as well, each side of the cube should have two faces: the inner and outer.

Most of the objects can be previewed only from the outside like a cube. To simplify 3D models of these objects, faces of invisible object parts may not be created. An open box (a cube with one side removed) should have both internal and external faces on all five sides because the internal parts should be visible as well. The lack of faces where they are needed, makes parts of an object invisible.

On the other hand, adding faces leads to increasing the 3D object complexity, which results in increasing the document size. A good practice would be the following. Normally, import objects with the Make all surfaces double-sided option deactivated. If a part of an imported object is invisible, reimport this object with the activated option.

Import Lines

When the Import lines option is deactivated, the program ignores lines. For example, such lines can be created in the SketchUp software using the Line tool. In many cases, the option should be switched off.