Vectary’s editing tools are very helpful when you create a 3D model from scratch or decide to edit a model from the 3D assets library. In this article you will get familiar with the basic tools for creating 3D objects. Have a look at more tutorials and how-to articles to have these detailed steps explained.
Most of the 3D mesh models are created from primitive shapes and fine-tuned by adding segments, beveling edges, and extruding and deforming the mesh to form the final shape. You’ve probably already tried to drag and drop 3D models from the assets library, now it’s time to create your own!
First you need to create a new object where your 3D shape is going to be placed. To do so:
1. Open the Objects List by clicking the objects list icon in the lower left corner of the workspace (shortcut shift+o).
OpenSCAD is not an interactive 3D design tool. It is something like a programmatic 3D-compiler that reads a script file containing 3D geometry definitions, and in turn generates a solid 3D model as output. Windows, Mac, Linux, BSD. Modo provides creative 3D polygon and subdivision surface modeling tools with a lot of flexibility, allowing you to create both freeform organic models and precision meshes using the same software. This is a professional-grade program with a range of features designed for advanced 3D designers, and the price reflects this.
2. Click + New Object and a new item will appear in the Objects List. When you create a new object, your workspace will automatically switch to Edit mode.
3. Once you’re in Edit mode, you can choose from the 3D modeling toolbar a few tools which create primitive objects such as box, sphere, cylinder, tube, cone, polyhedron or torus. Draw your own mesh shapes with the Draw tool.
You can edit a mesh model in Edit mode. To get into the Edit mode of an already existing object, you first need to select it. Double click on the object on the scene to get into Edit mode. You will see the mesh structure of the 3D model and a 3D modeling toolbar at the bottom of your workspace.
How to draw basic objects:
1. In the 3D modeling toolbar, select a shape from the Draw objects list (shortcut shift + d).
2. With the tool active, click on the scene (or the grid or surface of another object). With the first click you define the starting point of your shape.
3. All in one pdf software, free download. Move your mouse a bit and see how your shape starts to change its size.
4. Confirm the size with a second click and continue moving your mouse in the 3rd direction and confirm again with a click.
5. A radial menu will appear where you can adjust your shape and add or reduce segments.
6. Click one last time to confirm and the menu will disappear.
Note:
The number of options may vary depending on the shape you want to create. Some menu items in the radial menu can be dragged like a jog to set certain values. You can also click and then type the values you want in the input field. You can adjust the parameters of your shape (box segments, torus thickness, etc.) only when you create the shape for the first time. Once you confirm your shape, the mesh of this shape is baked and is no longer parametric. However, you can change the shape by scaling or using the cut and other tools.
The number of options may vary depending on the shape you want to create. Some menu items in the radial menu can be dragged like a jog to set certain values. You can also click and then type the values you want in the input field. You can adjust the parameters of your shape (box segments, torus thickness, etc.) only when you create the shape for the first time. Once you confirm your shape, the mesh of this shape is baked and is no longer parametric. However, you can change the shape by scaling or using the cut and other tools.
How to draw lines and polygons:
1. In Edit mode, choose the Draw Lines tool (shortcut “D”) from the 3D modeling toolbar.
2. Use your mouse to draw lines. With every left button click, you add new points connected with lines.
3. Connect the lines to create polygons. Make sure you have the Snap function enabled so your mouse click snaps to the nearest point when creating polygonal surfaces.
4. The Draw tool is “sticky” and, with each click, your mouse is followed by a yellow line which shows you the next line you are going to create. If you want to finish your drawing, press Enter or Esc on your keyboard.
Note:
You can re-draw lines on your mesh model, they will not be duplicated. With the active draw tool you can drag and rotate the scene with left mouse.
You can re-draw lines on your mesh model, they will not be duplicated. With the active draw tool you can drag and rotate the scene with left mouse.
The Hand Draw tool
The alternative Hand Draw tool lets your draw freehand just like you would do on a paper. Simply hold the left mouse button down while drawing. In the radial menu, adjust the parameters and confirm your drawing.
How to create 3D text:
Creating 3D text in Vectary is easy and unbelievably fast.
1. From the library categories at the bottom of your workspace, open the Add-ons category.
2. Click the 3D text add-on. This places the default word “Example” at the center of your scene. You can also drag the 3D text add-on from the library to a specific place on the scene and the default text will be dropped and snapped to the object or empty space on the scene.
3. This lists a 3D text object in the Objects Library and, when selected, you can change its parameters in the Properties panel on the right side of your workspace.
When Microsoft brought out 3D models support in PowerPoint, we were all a bit excited. From first experiments rotating objects with Morph to ambitious plans to recreate Star Wars in our favourite presentation software, we were determined to push boundaries. However, there are only so many times you can play around with the animated 3D T-Rex to make it look like he’s about to eat your audience. (I know, I’ve tried). There usually comes a point where you want to create your own 3D models in PowerPoint to add that little pinch of excitement to your presentation. If you don’t know where to begin, fear not. We have just the guide for you!
We decided to start with a cube. It’s easy to achieve, but we can guarantee it will raise your status amongst your friends and colleagues. (If they’re not that impressed, we recommend better friends. No one needs that kind of negativity in their life.) To see what you’ll be able to achieve once you’ve read this article, have a quick look at the video below.
Ready to give a go? Perfect.
For this tutorial, you’ll need two different pieces of software. The first one is PowerPoint, which you should already have. The second is a free Windows app called 3D Builder. You can get it from the Windows Store.
Step 1: Create your cube’s faces
Open PowerPoint and create a new presentation. Add a blank slide.
Insert six squares. Make sure the squares are the same size using BrightSlide’s Match Size tool. BrightSlide is our brilliant, free PowerPoint design and productivity add-in with lots of helpful tools perfect for PowerPoint people! You can download BrightSlide here.
You can style your squares however you want to (colour fill, transparent, with or without outlines,…). Add text or pictures inside. We used a mix of illustrations and text.
Once you’re happy with how your squares look, save them individually as pictures. Select one square (and all its content), right-click, and select Save as Picture.
Select the destination and save as PNG. You should end up with six pictures like this:
Step 2: Create your 3D cube
Here comes the exciting bit. Once you’ve installed the 3D Builder, open it. On the welcome screen, click on New Scene.
Once the scene is created, go to the top-left and click on Insert > Cube. Congratulations! You now have a 3D model of a cube.
The next step is to add the designed faces you’ve already made. To do that, make sure your cube is selected, then go to Paint > Texture.
This will open the painting options. From there, click on Selected > Load. It will open a browsing window and you can navigate to the folder where you saved the faces. Select the first one.
If you now hover over the cube, your cursor will change to a little airbrush icon. Click on one face to apply it. It should now look like this (though, obviously, with your design instead):
Click in the grey area to rotate around the cube and repeat this process for each face. Remember, you’ll have to load the new surface every time. Once you’re happy with it, click the Apply button in the top left.
That’s it! Your model is ready. You just need to save it. Click on the Save icon in the top-right corner and select the destination folder. Make sure it is saved as a .3mf file.
There we go. Just one final step left before you create literal magic.
Step 3: Importing and animating 3D models in PowerPoint
Go back to PowerPoint. Either create a new file or use the one in which you created the faces. Go to the Insert tab, then 3D Models > From a File…
Find your cube and insert it. This will place your 3D cube on the slide. Arrange it however you want for its starting position:
Once you’re happy, select the slide in the panel on the left and hit Ctrl+D (or right-click and Duplicate Slide). On the new slide, move the model so that it shows a different face. Repeat this process however many times you need.
When this is done, select all slides showing the cube, then go to the Transitions tab and select Morph in the drop down menu.
3d Objects Download
That’s it! You’re done. Hit F5 or go into Show Mode, and watch your 3D model rotating around with each click. You can also go back and forth using the Left and Right arrows on your keyboard.
3d Object Software
This technique can be applied to more complex elements, so feel free to have a play around with 3D Builder. It’s probably the least intimidating 3D software out there and is a great starting point (not to mention, free!). To give you an idea of what’s possible, here’s an animated zoetrope that was built in the same way as the cube:
Want to have a play with the cube we created? You can download it here.
If you make a 3D model in PowerPoint that you’re really proud of, let us know on Twitter or by email at [email protected]! We love seeing what other people get up to in PowerPoint.