Import & export other 3D models

Importing models >15 Mb requires a Pro or Enterprise license. You can learn more about our paid licenses on our website and can start a free trial from Arkio to try this feature.

You can import your own 3D models to Arkio by placing the files and textures in the Arkio/Import/Models folder on your device to show the file in the create drawer. You can use the refresh button to check for new files.

We currently support the following file formats to be imported and exported from Arkio

• OBJ
• GLB/glTF
• Revit (plugin)
• Rhino (plugin) 
• Sketchup (plugin)
• Unity (plugin)
• BIM360 (plugin)
• JPG
• PNG

The full name of the import will show if you hover the icon and clicking the icon will open a sub-menu where you can define the import settings and method of loading your objects. 

You can set imported model units: inch, feet, mm, cm, m and model placement point: Bottom (Z  lowest geometry, XY  centered), Centered (Z origin, XY centered), Origin (ZXY origin).

Place as object - Lets you place the import like other Arkio 3D elements. Pressing the trigger will show a preview of the object that can be rotated left/right using your thumbstick/swipe/keyboard arrows. When releasing the trigger the object will be placed on that location. Pressing the trigger again will start placing another instance of that object. Selecting another object or tool will cancel the placing as an object.

Locked at origin (formally Place on table) - will load a not editable version of that model on the table and resize the table accordingly. Models locked at origin cannot be accidentally moved. This makes them ideal for reference models of cities, buildings or photogrammetry scans.

Updating a Loaded file

Arkio will automatically refresh the imports while the app is running and indicates when there is a new version of a file available using a yellow triangle.

Clicking this yellow icon with your mouse or VR laser will update that model with the new available version. You can also update all the imported geometry in your scene at once by clicking on the "update all" icon on the top left of your import drawer.

Arkio will keep the old versions of your imported models available so you can always revert back to an older version when needed e.g. for comparing design options with others in a meeting. You can access all the older loaded Arkio models in the import dialog grouped by the same model name. If you select an older import date you can update the models placed in the scene by clicking "Update in scene"