Supported file types | 3D models

Learn how to prepare 3D models to use in Dimension. Also, get to know the supported 3D model formats and content.

Dimension is a 3D design tool which acts as a virtual photo studio, allowing you to arrange objects, graphics, and lighting in 3D space. The media types that 3D applications primarily work with are 3D models. This article covers the supported types of 3D models and some best practices for creating content for Dimension.

Supported types of 3D models in Dimension
Models represent a variety of objects and can include objects, characters, plants, and effects.

Where to find 3D models?

Models can be created in modeling applications and come in a variety of forms and formats. You can create your own models, get them from colleagues or clients, or purchase them from a stock service or website. Here are some recommended resources:

  • Dimension: The application ships with dozens of common models available in the Assets panel. These models are royalty-free and can be used for commercial projects. Download Dimension.
  • Adobe Stock: Browse a growing collection of high-quality models, curated for appearance and quality, and optimized for use in Dimension. Browse 3D content on Adobe Stock.
  • Photoshop: Create your own 3D graphics by extruding text and vectors into 3D shapes and exporting for use in Dimension. View a tutorial for creating models in Photoshop.
  • Other Sources: Dimension can import models from other applications and sources. Read below for details on supported formats and content. 

Supported model formats

Import

  • .OBJ
  • .FBX
  • .STL
  • .SKP
  • .GLTF
  • .GLB
  • .USD

Export

  • .DN
  • .OBJ
  • .GLTF
  • .GLB

.DN is the native Dimension format and is best for reusing models across Dimension projects to preserve decals and material quality. The other formats are best for exporting to other applications and may have different appearances based on differences in lighting, materials, or rendering configurations for various applications.

Supported content

Most 3D model formats can hold many types of media including 3D models, cameras, lights, images, and even video. While Dimension may import a file format, it may not support all types of content in that file.

Dimension currently only supports polygon geometry. Non-polygons like NURBs and curves can't be imported. Since Dimension only renders polygons, at least one polygon must be present in the model for Dimension to import the file.

Preparing models for use in Dimension

Dimension is a composition and rendering application and does not include modeling tools for creating original 3D models. You can import .obj files from most applications for use in Dimension. Before importing a 3D model to Dimension, here are some tips on how to prepare them for best results.

Units

When importing objects created in another application, Dimension respects the units for formats that store the unit information. If the imported object does not have unit information (such as OBJ), Dimension uses centimeters as the default unit of measurement.

Unit measurement is customizable by changing the Scene Units setting, which is a part of the document properties. See Document Settings for more details on setting up scene units. The available units are:

  • Meters
  • Centimeters
  • Millimeters
  • Feet
  • Inches
  • Yard

Polygon count

3D models are made out of points in space that are connected to form polygons. For best results, models should use the least amount of polygons to get the desired visual results. Polygons take memory to render so the number of polygons you can have in a Dimension scene before it impacts performance depends on the hardware being used.

There are many techniques that can be used to reduce polygon count, such as baking high-resolution details into a normal map instead of using polygons.

UVs

UVs are a coordinate system used in 3D that tells the application what part of a 2D image is placed on what part of a 3D model. This allows textures and images to be placed onto the 3D model.

If your model does not have UVs, Dimension adds UVs automatically at import but they will not be customizable within Dimension. For best quality, it is recommended that the 3D artist add UVs to the object prior to importing.

  • UVs should be in the 0-1 positive space.
  • UVs should only overlap when the model should always use mirrored or overlapping texture patterns.
  • UVs should be relative in scale to the parts of the object.
  • UVs should be even in their distribution to minimize stretching.

Normals

Every polygon has a normal property, which tells the application the direction in which the polygon is facing. Dimension does not have control for normals. Therefore, it is important that normals are set to be uniform and facing outward prior to importing to Dimension as back facing and uneven normals render black.

If your model does not have any normals then Dimension automatically adds normals automatically at import.

Exporting models from Dimension

Dimension provides several formats for exporting 3D models for use in other projects or applications. Each format has different ways of handling the data during export.

DN

DN is the native Dimension format and is best for reusing models across Dimension projects to preserve decals and material quality. Dimension files cannot be imported to other applications.

OBJ

OBJ is a format for importing to many 3D applications. When exporting to OBJ you may lose object hierarchy, material fidelity, animation, or other aspects that OBJ does not support.

GLTF

GLTF is a compressed format optimized for speed and runtime use. When exporting to GLTF you may experience some loss in quality due to the compression of this format.

GLB

GLB is a compressed format optimized for speed and runtime use. When exporting to GLB you may experience some loss in quality due to the compression of this format.  

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