The 3D Importer allows you to import .fbx, .gltf, or .obj 3D models into Studio as a custom Model. This includes meshes with PBR textures, meshes with rigging, skinning, and animation data, and meshes designed as avatar items.
Import general 3D custom models into Studio.
Use the 3D importer to import assets with avatar item components.
To import a 3D object:
- In the toolbar's Home or Avatar tab, click Import 3D.
- Alternatively, use File > Import 3D to open up the Import 3D tool.
- In the file browser, select the supported .fbx, .gltf or .obj files you intend to import.
- If selecting one object, the import preview window screen appears for that object.
- If selecting multiple objects, the files are added to the import queue.
- Configure your import settings and verify any warning or error messages.
- Click Import.
To directly import 3D assets using HTTP requests, see the Open Cloud usage guide for assets.
Supported file types
Before importing a 3D object, ensure that the .fbx, .gltf or .obj meets Studio's mesh requirements to reduce errors or unexpected behavior.
| File type | Studio compatibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| OBJ (.obj) | — Basic single mesh objects | Simple mesh geometry use-cases. |
| FBX (.fbx) | — Multiple mesh objects and hierarchies — Textures, including basic and PBR textures. — Cage mesh objects — Rigging and armature data — Additional components for avatar items — Animation data — Vertex colors | Any type of 3D import, including but not limited to game assets or avatar items. |
| gLTF (.gltf) | — Multiple mesh objects and hierarchies — Textures, including basic and PBR textures. — Cage mesh objects — Rigging and armature data — Additional components for avatar items — Animation data — Vertex colors | Any type of 3D import, including but not limited to game assets or avatar items. |
Import queue
If you selected multiple files with the 3D Importer, you can use the import queue to bulk manage your various imports.
The top bar allows you to add new files, clear the queue, search and filter, and import all enabled models.
The import queue lists all added files, with quick access dropdowns to change creator, presets, and file paths.
Add files to queue
To open a file browser and add additional files to the import queue, you can:
- Click the Add file button in the top bar of the Import queue window.
- In the Studio's Home or Avatar tab, click Import 3D.
- Navigate to File > Import 3D.
Remove files from queue
To remove all files from the queue, click the Clear queue button with the broom icon. To remove an individual file from the queue, right-click an item in the queue and select Delete from queue.
Apply preset settings
Use the Import Preset column to select a preset configuration to apply to your model. For more information, see Presets.
You can also apply the settings of one item to all items by right-clicking an item with the desired settings and selecting Apply settings to all.
Access individual preview and settings
Click the individual Asset name of an unimported model to access the import preview for that item. Use the import preview to view and check your model, as well as set any individual import settings.
Import files
Ensure that each item you want to import has a checkbox enabled in the first column. By default, all items are selected if they are importable.
Press the Import button to start the import process.
Import preview
The import preview window appears if you are importing a single file, or if you selected an individual item from the import queue. This preview window provides individual controls for the various objects in your model.
The preview window is divided into multiple sections:
The file path of your model file. Click Browse to edit.
The preset applied to your import. Use the dropdown to select multiple presets, or the hamburger menu to set a new preset.
The 3D preview of your model. Use mouse buttons and top-right icons for various camera options and views.
The object hierarchy of the imported object. Includes mesh objects and other supported components.
The import settings for your import. For a complete list of settings, see Import settings.
Import settings
Depending on the object selected in the hierarchy panel, the inspector panel displays the following groups of settings:
- File General: Affects the entire imported file.
- Rig General: Affects the selected mesh object if rigging data is present.
- File Transform: Affects the transform properties of the imported file.
- File Geometry: Affects the geometry properties of the imported file.
- Object General: Affects the selected child object.
- Object Geometry: Affects the geometry of the selected child object.
File general
The 3D Importer provides the following settings for all meshes:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Sets the name of the imported asset as it will appear in your project. |
| Import Only As Model | If enabled, the 3D Importer imports the model as a single asset even if the model contains multiple children. By default, this is enabled. If disabled, the 3D Importer imports the model and all descendants, such as the multiple meshes, as individual assets. |
| Add Model To Inventory | If enabled, the 3D Importer adds the model to your Toolbox and Asset Manager inventory as a new asset. By default, this is enabled. If disabled, the 3D Importer does not add the asset to your inventory. |
| Insert In Workspace | If enabled, the 3D Importer inserts the model into the Workspace as well as your Toolbox and Asset Manager inventory. If importing from a saved or published experience, this setting also grants permission to the experience to use the restricted asset. By default, this is enabled. If disabled, this setting only adds the model to your inventory and does not grant the experience permission to use the asset. |
| Insert Using Scene Position | If enabled, the 3D Importer uses the current scene position when inserting the model into the workspace. By default, this is disabled. |
| Set Pivot to Scene Origin | If enabled, the 3D Importer sets the pivot point of the entire model to the scene origin. By default, this is enabled. |
| Anchored | If enabled, the 3D Importer sets the Anchored property to True on all the imported MeshParts. This is disabled for meshes with rig data / avatars. By default, this is disabled. |
| Uses Cage | If enabled, the 3D Importer finds cage meshes in the model and converts them to WrapInstance objects, such as WrapLayer or WrapTarget. If disabled, the Importer treats them as regular meshes. If the 3D Importer initially detects cage meshes in the model, this is enabled by default. |
Rig general
The 3D Importer provides the following settings for meshes with rigging data, typically character bodies or clothing accessories:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Rig Type | Sets the type of rig the mesh should be associated with. The options are: - R15 - Custom - No Rig By default, the 3D importer attempts to select the most appropriate setting based on the detected rigging and skinning data of the mesh. |
| Validate UGC Body | After importing, Studio opens the assets in the Avatar Setup tool, allowing you to quickly begin testing and uploading avatar assets to the Marketplace. |
| Rig Scale | If Rig Type is set to R15, the importer provides additional options to specify body type scaling. The options are: - Default - Rthro - Rthro Narrow |
File transform
The 3D Importer provides the following settings for all meshes:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| World Forward | Sets the forward facing axis of the object. By default, this is set to Front. |
| World Up | Sets the upward facing axis of the object. By default, this is set to Top. |
File geometry
File geometry includes information on the file dimensions and polycount of the entire model. You can edit the following settings for all meshes:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Scale Unit | Sets what units the file was modeled in so that it's sized appropriately when imported. By default, this is set to Studs. |
| Merge Meshes | If enabled, merges all MeshParts in the model into a single MeshPart and creates one MeshPart rather than a Model. By default, this is disabled. |
| Invert Negative Faces | Inverts the orientation of negative faces in the mesh. By default, this is disabled. |
Object general
When selecting a specific child object of your mesh, the 3D Importer populates Object General settings. You can edit the following settings for the selected child objects:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Sets the name of the selected child object within the model. |
| Anchored | If enabled, sets the Anchored property to True on the selected child object. By default, this is disabled. |
| Use Imported Pivot | If enabled, imports the object using the pivot point set within the child object. By default, this is enabled. |
Object geometry
Object Geometry includes information on the dimensions and polycount of the selected child object of the model. You can edit the following settings for the selected child objects:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Make Double Sided | If disabled, sets the vertices as one-sided. One-sided vertices means that you can see through them from one side. If enabled, sets the vertices as double-sided. Vertices that are double sided visually render on both sides. Double-sided is more performance intensive. By default, this is disabled. |
| Ignore Vertex Colors | If enabled, ignores the vertex color data in the child object. By default, this is disabled. |
Presets
You can save presets of various import settings to quickly apply later within the import preview or import queue.
By default, you can select between two presets:
- Studio Default: The default import behavior.
- Last Imported: Uses the settings applied to the most recent import.
You can use the . . . menu next to the Presets dropdown for additional options:
- Reset all: Removes any changes to the current configuration, putting settings back in the default state for the current preset.
- Save selection: Allows you to save any new changes to the importer settings into the currently selected preset.
- Save as new: Sets the current settings as a new preset. A dialogue box displays allowing you to set a name.
- Set as default: Sets the current preset as the default for all imports moving forward.
- Rename: Renames the current preset.
- Delete: Deletes the current preset. Resets to Studio Default preset.
Warnings and errors
If Studio detects any issues with your model, a small indicator displays in the hierarchy panel or the settings panel.
If you see a warning icon in the hierarchy, expand the hierarchy until you reach the specific child object to see more information about the issue. Warning and error messages display in the settings panel or as a tooltip.
