Importing 3D Models
Import your own 3D files by uploading them from the 3D Models tab. Supported formats: GLB, GLTF, Collada (.dae), and ZIP (a .dae file with its texture folder).
The 3D model import wizard accepts GLB, glTF, FBX, OBJ (with optional MTL sidecar), STL, PLY, Collada (.dae), and ZIP (a .dae packaged with its textures). A four-step flow — Select File, 3D Preview, Size & Scale, and Place — guides you from upload to placement. Every imported model is saved to your account library so you can re-use it across all your projects without uploading again. The file is optimized on import: textures are compressed and the model repackaged for efficient rendering in the browser.
Supported file formats
GLB — a single binary GLTF file, the recommended format. GLTF — a JSON-based format (typically with separate texture files). Collada (.dae) — a legacy format; upload as a ZIP containing the .dae and its texture folder if textures are required. ZIP — a ZIP archive containing a .dae file and texture assets.
Optimization and deduplication
Uploaded models are processed through the model optimizer, which may compress textures and repackage the model as a GLB for efficient rendering. Models are deduplicated by content hash — uploading the same file twice will reuse the existing library entry without a duplicate upload.
To import a textured Collada model, package the .dae file and its texture folder together in a single ZIP. Importing a lone .dae without its textures will produce an untextured result.
Placing after import
After the model loads in the import workspace, click Place in Drawing. The cursor enters placement mode. Click on the canvas to drop the model. The model appears in both 2D and 3D views.
Set the real-world size
On the Size & Scale step, enter the model's intended real-world Width. Height and depth are read-only and scale proportionally to keep the model's shape — the aspect ratio stays locked. Values are shown in your project's unit system (metric or imperial), and the 3D preview updates live as you type. If a model arrives the wrong size or lying on its side, use the Source frame controls at the top of the step to set the Model units (millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches, or feet) and the Up axis. Different formats assume different defaults — for example, FBX files default to centimetres and GLB files to metres.
Name, position, and place the model
The Place step is the final step and gathers everything needed to finish. Give the model a Display name — the label shown in your library and in the inspector. Set a starting X and Z position (or click Center at origin) and an optional Rotation in degrees; the model is automatically floor-snapped so it sits on the ground regardless of its internal origin. Tick the legal confirmation that you have the right to upload the file, then finish to enter placement mode. Your cursor becomes a placement crosshair — click anywhere on the canvas to drop the model. It appears in both the plan and 3D views immediately. On finishing, the model is uploaded to your account library for future re-use; if you have uploaded the same file before, the existing entry is reused so no duplicate is created.
To place the same model multiple times, open the 3D Models tab in the Add Objects panel after importing. Clicking the model thumbnail starts continuous placement mode — each click places another instance without re-running the wizard.
Very high-polygon models (hundreds of thousands of triangles) or models with many large textures can slow down the 3D view. Check the performance warnings on the Preview step and, where possible, use a lower-resolution version of the model for garden design use.
Frequently Asked Questions
My imported model is the wrong size — how do I fix it?
Different formats carry different default units, so a model can arrive far too large or too small. On the Size & Scale step, set the model's real-world Width — height and depth follow proportionally. If the scale is far off, also set the correct Model units under Source frame. If you already placed the model, select it on the canvas and use the Scale tool or type new dimensions directly in the inspector.
My Collada model imported without textures.
A standalone .dae file references textures stored in a folder alongside it. When you import just the .dae, the textures are not included. Package the .dae file and its texture folder into a single .zip file and import the ZIP instead. The wizard extracts both the geometry and the textures together.
Can I re-use an imported model in another project?
Yes. Every model you import is saved to your account library and is available in all your projects. Open the 3D Models tab in the Add Objects panel, find the model in the grid, and click its thumbnail to start placement — no re-upload needed.
I imported the same file twice — will it create two library entries?
No. The wizard computes a content hash of the file on import. If the same file has been uploaded before, the wizard reuses the existing library entry. You will still be able to place a new instance of the model, but the library stays clean with no duplicates.
What happens if my upload times out or fails?
Uploads have a 2-minute timeout. If the connection is slow or interrupted, an error message will appear on the Place step. You can dismiss the wizard and try again. If the problem persists, check your network connection or try a smaller or more compressed version of the model file.