Installing the PC version of Arkio with all plugins

Arkio supports importing and exporting of images, and 3D models from various tools. The simplest way to import and export models is using the PC version of Arkio that can be downloaded for free from our website and comes included with our latest plugins for Revit, Rhino and SketchUp. By first loading files to Arkio on Windows/Mac and joining the same meeting with mobile devices like the Quest you bring in and work with all imported files placed in the scene.

Importing files to Arkio

You can import files by placing them in the Documents/Arkio/import directory (find the directories for your device below) and go to the Create>Import drawer on Arkio. Revit, Unity, Rhino and Sketchup files are automatically loaded to the correct import/export folders when using our Windows plugins.

While the files are being processed in Arkio spinning dots will show in the Import tab. Importing content is possible while Arkio is running. You can refresh the imports by clicking on the refresh icon on the top left corner of your create>import panel and wait for the files to be processed.

Imported models and images can be locked to the table as a non-movable reference (Locked at origin)

or placed freely like other Arkio props (Place as object)

Model import size

The Quest and smartphones are mobile devices with limited processing power. Make sure that imported models don't exceed 450K polygons if you want to avoid crashes or uncomfortable low framerates for your VR experience. If you have a heavy model but you still like to load it on these devices you can use lower LOD settings on our Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp plugins or manually optimize your models.

Loading indicators

When loading files,  the following icons will indicate if the files are currently being processed, loaded or have issues. Models imported in Arkio are stored locally and are only shared with meeting participants fully end-to-end encrypted. When the last user exits the meeting the imported assets will no longer be available for other users to download.

Loading locally	Loading from server	File not found
Initializing model	Downloading model	Model no longer available, click to remove
Update available	Partly loaded	Not loaded
New version, click to replace	large for this device, only partly loaded	very large for this device, cannot be loaded

Updating models

When you save a new version of your model or image over the original files in the import folder, Arkio will show a yellow notification if that asset is already placed in your scene to indicate that a new version is available. You can click this yellow icon to update it or you update all the objects in your scene by clicking "Update all" icon in the top corner of your import panel

Arkio will keep the old versions of your imported models so you can always revert back to an old version by selecting an older import date in your placement menu and clicking "Update in Scene"

Exporting Files

Arkio models are exported by opening your scenes and selecting the correct export format. We recommend using our Revit exporter as this will give you clean solid geometry that can be exported to DWG, IFC, SAT and STL using any version of Revit. You can also export your models to Rhino, SketchUp, BIM 360 and OBJ or GLB format.

When selecting OBJ all Arkio's shapes and custom imported objects are exported with their materials and textures saved in the device Export/Models folder. The models get exported in metric (1 unit = 1 meter). OBJ's are exported from Arkio as one mesh. You can continue working on your models using mesh editing software to save them to FBX or other formats. GLB files will contain all textures and the individual mesh elements in their own hierarchy.

Windows

Arkio on Windows is the easiest way to get models in and out of Arkio. The latest version includes the Revit/ plugins can be downloaded for free from our website

Imports

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Images

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Programs

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Videos

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\...

Exports

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Models 

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Photos

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Programs

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\...

User files

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\UserModels

%userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Arkio\Arkio
\Arkio\ResourceCache

Mac

Arkio for Mac is the easiest way to import/export content to Arkio if you don't have a Windows device. The Mac app store only allows apps to access files in the hidden system directory ~\Library You can find this folder by searching for "Arkio" in Finder or using Finder > Go > Go to folder ~\Library

Imports

~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Data\
Documents\Arkio\Import

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Images

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\...

Exports

~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Data\
Documents\Arkio\Export

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Pictures

...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Export\...

User files

~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Data\
Documents\Arkio\UserModels

~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Library\
ApplicationSupport\is.arkio.arkio\Arkio

Quest

The simplest way to share imports with your Quest is using Arkio on Windows/Mac to place imported models in your scene and join the same meeting with your mobile device. If you are using your Quest as a wired Headset (Air) Link Mode you can use the normal Windows import/export directories.

You can also place import files directly on your Quest to place the assets from there but this will require your device to be connected using a USB cable, enable developer mode and give permission to access the following file paths on your device.

Imports

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Import

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Import\Images

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Import\Models

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Import\Import\...

Exports

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Export

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Export\Models

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Export\Pictures

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\Export\...

User files

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\UserModels

\Internal shared storage\Android\data\
com.arkio.arkio\files\Arkio\ResourceCache

iOS & Android

The simplest way to share imports with your Mobile device is using Arkio on Windows/Mac to place imported models in your scene and join the same meeting with your mobile device. You can also use iOS or Android file browsers to manually transfer the files to and from Arkio.

Imports

Files\Arkio\Import

Files\Arkio\Import\Images

Files\Arkio\Import\Models

Files\Arkio\Import\...

Exports

Files\Arkio\Export

Files\Arkio\Export\Models

Files\Arkio\Pictures

Files\Arkio\Export\...

User files

Files\Arkio\UserModels

Files\Arkio\ResourceCache

Known issues:

• Loading heavy files is not recommended, try to keep your models below 450.000 polygons to avoid crashes and performance loss when working with mobile devices like the Oculus Quest.
• You can turn off shadows in settings when you are experiencing performance issues with larger imported models on your Oculus Quest
• If you experience issues loading your models try to load the OBJ exports in Windows 3D viewer, Rhino, Blender or 3DSMax to see if the files load well and what geometry might be causing issues.
  
• Sometimes imported models can break and affect the loading of other imported files. Cleaning your temporary ResourceCache files can solve most issues