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FAQ: Importing Models ​

Frequently asked questions about importing 3D models into iJewel Playground.

What file formats does iJewel Playground support?

iJewel Playground supports GLB, GLTF, 3DM (Rhino), FBX, and OBJ formats. For the best results — including full PBR materials, textures, and animations — use GLB/GLTF. This is the recommended format for all major 3D software (Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Rhino).

Can I use texture maps or vertex colors from other software?

Yes. All major 3D programs (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Rhino) export GLTF/GLB with PBR material and texture support. iJewel Playground will read the PBR material information and apply it correctly. For the best texture/animation fidelity, always export as GLB or GLTF rather than OBJ or FBX.

My model appears black or dark after loading. What's wrong?

This usually means the model is missing an environment map. By default, Playground applies a lighting environment, but if your model was exported without materials or with incorrect settings, it may appear dark. Try the following:

  1. Go to Scene → Background / Environment and make sure an HDRI environment map is loaded
  2. Check that your model's materials exported correctly from your 3D software
  3. If you're loading a jewelry model with diamonds, make sure diamond layers have unique names — Playground uses layer/material names to assign diamond materials
How do I import a camera from Blender?

Export your Blender scene as a GLB file with cameras included (check the camera export option in Blender's GLTF export settings). When you load this GLB into Playground, the camera will appear in Scene → Cameras (Loaded). From there, select the camera and click Activate Main to switch to it. Make sure to bake the animation as keyframes before exporting.

My camera animation from Blender doesn't play in Playground. What am I doing wrong?

When creating camera animations in Blender, make sure to:

  1. Bake the animation as keyframes — constraints and drivers don't export to GLTF
  2. Export as GLB with cameras enabled in the export settings
  3. In Playground, go to Scene → Cameras (Loaded), select the camera, and click Activate Main
  4. Play the animation using the GLTF Animation controls
How do I align an imported model from Rhino/Matrix with a Blender camera animation?

You have two options:

  1. Export the 3DM from Rhino/Matrix and convert it to GLB in Playground. Then edit this GLB in Blender to add the camera animation, and export as GLB with animations
  2. Export only the camera as a separate GLB from Blender, then drag and drop both files (the 3DM model and the camera GLB) into Playground one by one
How can I scale or reposition my imported model?
  1. Select your model — click on it in the viewport or find it in the Hierarchy
  2. Go to Transform Controls and enable the gizmo
  3. Switch the Mode to Scale (or Translate/Rotate) and use the gizmo handles to adjust

You can also type exact values in the Position, Rotation, and Scale fields in the Picking panel.

Can I import multiple models into the same scene?

Yes. Simply drag and drop additional files into Playground or use the import button. Each new model is added to the existing scene. You can then reposition them using Transform Controls.

How should I name layers in Blender/Rhino for automatic material assignment?

iJewel uses layer/material names to automatically assign materials. The recommended naming convention is: layers named Metal (or Metal Yellow Gold, Metal Rose Gold, etc.) for metal parts, and Diamond (or Diamond Round, Diamond Princess, etc.) for diamond/gem parts — each unique diamond cut should have a unique layer name.

Video Tutorial

Watch the Layer Naming in Blender tutorial. For Rhino, see the Preparing 3D Models guide.

My model file is too large. How can I reduce it?

Drop your model into Playground, then export it as GLB from the Export tab with compression enabled. This will apply Draco compression and can significantly reduce file size. You can also check individual texture sizes in Picking → Physical Material — large texture maps are often the main contributor to file size.