3D Thing

Use cases

What people share with 3D Thing

Ten kinds of work, one kind of link. For each: what they send, what the person at the other end can do, and the one feature that matters most to them.

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No card needed. Every story here is an example, not a customer.

The table lamp used as the example for products and online shops.

Products and online shops

Show a product in every colour and option on its own page.

For example: A lamp maker puts one model on the product page. Shoppers choose the shade and the base, the price updates, and the page knows the exact choice.

They send
One model of the product with all its parts.
The other side can
Spin it, zoom in, pick a colour or a version, and see the price change.

What matters most

The option picker on your product page

The frame tells your page what the shopper chose, with each price and the total, so your cart can take it from there.

More about colour and option pickers
The armchair used as the example for furniture and home.

Furniture and home

Let a shopper choose the fabric, the wood and the size before they buy.

For example: A sofa company lets shoppers try five fabrics and two leg styles, then send the combination to their partner as a link.

They send
A chair, a sofa or a kitchen, with the finishes on offer.
The other side can
Try each finish, see a running total, and send their choice to someone else as a link or a QR code.

What matters most

Fabrics straight from your shade card

Load the colours from a paint or fabric maker’s shade card file, or a CSV list, instead of typing each one in.

More about colour and option pickers
The pump used as the example for machinery and equipment.

Machinery and equipment

Show a machine to a buyer in another city, and point at the parts that matter.

For example: A pump manufacturer sends a buyer abroad a link. The buyer turns the pump round, measures the pipe fittings and reads a pin on the maintenance door.

They send
A model of the machine, with pins on the important parts.
The other side can
Turn it round, zoom in on any part, measure it and read the pins.

What matters most

Measuring in the browser

Distances, areas and angles, snapped to the corners of the model, in metric or imperial, with nothing to install.

More about measuring
The house, overview used as the example for architecture and interiors.

Architecture and interiors

Let a client walk through a building or a room before it is built.

For example: A studio sends a family a link to their future kitchen. They walk through on Sunday, switch to the evening look and pin a note where the socket should move.

They send
The model from your design program, or a 2D floor plan.
The other side can
Walk through at eye height, look down on the plan, see day and night, and pin a note on a wall.

What matters most

Walking inside at eye height

The camera stops at walls and climbs the stairs, so a client sees each room from where they will stand in it.

More about walking inside
The house, walk used as the example for real estate.

Real estate

Let buyers walk through a home before it is built.

For example: A developer puts a link in the listing for a flat that is not built yet. Buyers see the layout from above, walk from room to room, and arrive at the viewing knowing the plan.

They send
A model of a home that is not built yet, or a scan of one that is.
The other side can
Open the link, see the whole layout from above, then walk around inside, with nothing to install.

What matters most

From the floor plan to the front door

Buyers see the whole layout from above, then step inside the room they care about, one button apart.

More about the four views
The ring used as the example for jewellery and fashion.

Jewellery and fashion

Let people study a piece up close and choose the metal or the stone.

For example: A jeweller shows a ring that can be gold or silver, with a round or a square stone, and the customer zooms in on the setting.

They send
A model of the piece with a few material choices.
The other side can
Zoom in close, spin it, and switch between materials.

What matters most

Metal and stone, close up

Each choice changes the model at once, close enough to see the setting, and the price follows if you add one.

More about colour and option pickers
The amphora used as the example for museums and education.

Museums and education

Turn an object or a lesson into a link visitors and students can explore.

For example: A museum turns a clay pot into a link. Students spin it, click through saved views of its markings and read a pin on each one.

They send
A model of an object, a site or a lesson, with pins on the parts that matter.
The other side can
Explore it in their own time, click through the saved views and read the pins.

What matters most

Saved views they can click through

You frame the views that matter, in order. Visitors step through them, or play them full screen as a tour.

More about saved views and tours

  • Exhibitions and events

    Let an exhibitor walk their stand, try the graphics and approve it before the build starts.

    For example: A stand builder sends an exhibitor a link to their 6 by 6 metre stand. The exhibitor walks the aisle in the browser, tries two graphic panels, pins a note on the counter and approves the design. The builder keeps a dated record.

    They send
    The stand model, with the graphic options on offer.
    The other side can
    Walk the stand at eye height, try each graphic option, pin a note on a wall or the counter, and approve it.

    What matters most

    A dated record of what was approved

    Who approved, when, and what they saw, kept as a file you can send on.

    How approvals work

  • Cars and vehicles

    Show trims, paint colours and wheels on a single model.

    For example: A bike or car dealer shows one model in every paint colour and wheel size, with the price for each combination.

    They send
    One vehicle model with the options you sell.
    The other side can
    Switch paint, wheels and interior, and look at it from any side.

    What matters most

    Swap one part for another

    Different wheels, a roof box or none: the part picked shows, the others hide, and each can carry its own price.

    More about colour and option pickers

  • Design studios and creators

    Get feedback on a model from anyone, with each comment pinned to the exact spot.

    For example: A game artist sends a character to the team. Each person pins their comment on the exact spot, such as the left hand or the belt.

    They send
    A work-in-progress model.
    The other side can
    Drop a pin with a note and up to 4 photos. No account needed.

    What matters most

    Notes pinned to the spot

    Each note keeps the spot, the view and up to 4 photos, and you answer it in a thread.

    More about notes

A lamp, a pump or a flat: the person you send it to opens one link.

Whatever you make

The same three steps for everyone

The second step takes the longest, and you do it once.

  1. 1

    Bring your model

    Open a GLB, glTF, FBX or OBJ, or send it from Blender. The 3ds Max and SketchUp plugins are in preview. From Revit, Rhino or Archicad, save one of those files first.

  2. 2

    Set it up once

    Choose the first view, add options and prices, put pins on the parts that matter, and save a look or two.

  3. 3

    Share the link

    Send it in a message or an email, or put it on your own site. Add a password or an end date if you like.

Not on the list? If it can be shown in 3D, it will probably work. Every story on this page was checked against the product on .

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