Table of Contents
Overview of Modelo
Modelo is an online platform that allows for the sharing and viewing of 3d models without the need to download and install applications.
Easy to use across devices:
Modelo uses simple drag and drop 3d file sharing that can be viewed across devices (tablets, computers, laptops, etc.) for anyone with a network connection. These models can then be shared by emailing a url link to recipients to view the model.
Immersive, full 3d model uploads:
The model uploader is able to create a walkthrough, and create comments tethered to specific views to highlight and pre-organize what they want the viewer to focus on when sharing the model. This can allow for a more focused and specific conversation as opposed to panning around a 3d model without any specific talking points in mind.
You can upload supported model file types like; Sketchup (skp), Revit (rvt), Rhino (3dm), 3d format (obj and stl), 3ds max (fbx), Navisworks (nwd), Autocad (dwg), Vectorworks (vwx) and Rhino files with textures (zip).
Creating a free account
- In your preferred web browser go to: https://modelo.io
- In the upper right hand corner of the home page, click the “Sign Up Free” box
Follow and fill out the on screen information and you will be brought to your home/projects page upon successful account creation.
Managing storage on the free account:
- Storage on the free plan is limited, so you are able to check your usage by going to your projects/home page, and in the upper right-hand corner, click on your name circular logo.
- A menu will appear, click “Plan” to view your storage limit and current usage. Delete old or unused uploads to allow for more uploads.
Preparing a model to upload
In order to share a model with a recipient, first you need to create a free account. There are a number of tools to modify and orchestrate what you are sending, including creating walkthroughs, changing layer visibility, creating comments tied to specific orthographic views, and other features to consider before sharing a 3d model. There is a different process you need to go through to upload and send a Revit and Vectorworks file.
How to prepare to upload a Revit model
- You will need to download and install the Modelo Revit Exporter Plugin. It is located if you click on your circular profile icon and click on “Revit Exporter” in the menu. The exporter will start downloading immediately.
- When the option appears in the install wizard choose “installation for single user”.
- Open the file in revit you wish to export. Go to the Modelo tab on the top ribbon.
* Modelo currently supports uploads from Revit 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019. - Click “BIM/DAM” to upload. Before selecting upload on Revit, you will need an upload token from Modelo.
- To obtain an upload token go to your Modelo project page and in the folder or sub folder you want the Revit model in, click “upload”. Copy that upload token.
- Paste the upload token into the “upload token”box in Revit.
- You can select the polygon count, a lower polygon count will equate to a lower file size but lower quality, so choose a polygon count that is appropriate for the file size and desired model detail.
* if the file size is too large, or the file is sluggish in Modelo, lower the polygon count before uploading. - Select the views you want to export and click ”upload” on the bottom right of the dialogue box.
* For a step by step guide to this process here is a link to a YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=YJWx5ZSBqLc&feature=emb_title
* For a step by step guide to upload a Vectorworks model here is a link to a YouTube video:
How to prepare to upload a Rhino model with textures
Uploading a model
- From your home/projects page, click on the “Create Project” box in the upper left hand corner to create a new project.
- Projects are essentially the organizational folders that hold sub folders and model uploads.
- Within a project click the “New Folder” box to create a sub folder within that project to organize your 3d model uploads.
- To upload a model, within the project, or within a subfolder click the “Upload Model” box.
*Before uploading the model from Rhino, Autocad, etc. ensure your model is located at the origin (0,0). - Drag and drop your file into the upload box.
*Upload times are determined by internet speed and file size. - Once the model is uploaded, to view click on the “3D” icon when hovering over the uploaded models thumbnail.
* If a model is slow and lagging consider purging layers and condensing layers, Modelo renders by layer, so the fewer layers for Modelo to process, the better. Additionally, try checking the option box when uploading a model “Reduce texture file size for faster rendering”.
Working with your model
After you upload a model, there are a number of tools that can be implemented to comment, adjust layer visibility, create walkthroughs, take sections through a model to create a unique view, and change settings in tools such as sun location to customize a model on the Modelo platform.
How to do a walkthrough
- You can generate a walkthrough of a model to orchestrate views and highlight moments of your model for a viewer to see.
*free accounts are limited to creating one walkthrough per model. - To generate a walkthrough click the walkthrough icon on the bottom options bar.
- Click the “+” icon in the upper left hand corner to create a new walkthrough.
- You can add waypoints and subtract waypoints, and control their elevations to determine your views. You can drag around the points and view the path of the animation on the left hand side of the screen, a plan is generated based on the elevation your points are at and will automatically adjust when you move those points in elevation.
- When you are done, hit the play button to toggle the animation. You can also adjust the speed. You can hide the walkthrough by clicking the “X” icon on the walkthrough panel on the left hand side of the screen, this will not delete the walkthrough.
- For a step by step guide to this process here is a link to a YouTube video.
How to comment on a model
- Comments can be used to highlight areas of focus and to communicate ideas to the recipient.
- Comments can be made in association with a particular view, for example, a comment about a new massing site strategy could be best used with a perspective view of the scene from Modelo.
* You can only have three saved comments in the free version of the software.
- You can accompany a comment with a walkthrough as well, just click the “add walkthrough” button.
- For a more advanced view setup, and step by step guide to this process here is a link to a YouTube video.
Adjusting settings
- The settings menu allows you to manipulate layers, change the sun location, render type, and add filters.
- To get to the model settings on the bottom options bar, click the settings icon.
- In the pop up settings menu you can adjust your layers by clicking the circle adjacent to the layer name to turn layers on or off. In the “effects” tab you can also adjust the rendering mode (either basic or advanced based on the performance of the model), add a filter, and also change the sun location by manually entering the projects location.