Importing files

Arkio supports importing and exporting of images, and 3D models from Rhino, SketchUp and Revit on Windows, Mac, Quest, iOS, and Android. When you place the files in the import directory and go to the create>import drawer the imports will show here. Revit, Rhino and Sketchup files with be automatically imported and exported to the correct directories using our Windows installer that can be downloaded for free on our website)

When the import file tab show spinning dots the files are being processed. 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 (place on table)

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

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 only stored locally and are 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.

File not found	Loading from cloud	Loading locally
File not available, click to remove is from the scene	Loading from Arkio server	Loading from memory
Update available	Partly loaded	Not loaded
New version available, click or update all to replace	Model too heavy for the device, only partly loaded	Model too heavy for the 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 for e.g. comparing design options in a meeting. You can load older models by selecting an older import date in your placement menu and replace models in the scene by clicking "Update in Scene"

Model import size

The Oculus Quest and smartphones have limited processing power. So always make sure that imported models don't exceed 200K polygons to avoid crashes or uncomfortable low framerates in your VR experience. If you have a heavy model but you still like to load it on less powerful devices you can optimize your models for viewing on VR & mobile.

Exporting Files

Arkio models are exported by opening the model overview in the main menu and selecting the correct export format. We recommend using our Revit exporter as this will give you the cleanest solid CAD geometry that can be exported to DWG IFC, SAT and STL using Revit's exporters. You can also export your models to Rhino, SketchUp, BIM 360 and OBJ format.

When selecting OBJ all Arkio's shapes and custom imported objects are exported with their materials and texture files saved in the device Export/Models folder. The models get exported in metric (1 unit = 1 meter) and will contain an OBJ, MTL, and all included textures. 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, glTF, and other formats for usage in other 3D software. 

Import on mobile devices

The easiest way to share imported files with mobile devices like the Oculus Quest and Ipad is using the Windows/Mac version of Arkio to import the content in a meeting that you join with your mobile devices. This way you will receive all the imported files in the scene without having to copy files manually. You can download Arkio for Windows and Mac on our website.

In case you don't have a desktop PC/Mac available you can also import and export files on your mobile device by placing files in the import directory. You might need to connect your device with a cable or use a file transfer service like Dropbox to transfer your files here.

Windows

Arkio on Windows is the fastest way to get models in and out of Arkio.

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\Revit

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Rhino

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\SketchUp

Exports

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Models 

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Photos

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Programs

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Revit

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Rhino

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\SketchUp

User files

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\UserModels

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

Mac

If you don't have Windows PC, Arkio for Mac is the fastest way to import/export content.

Imports

Documents\Arkio\Import

Documents\Arkio\Import\Images

Documents\Arkio\Import\Models

Documents\Arkio\Import\...

Exports

Documents\Arkio\Export

Documents\Arkio\Export\Models

Documents\Arkio\Export\Pictures

Documents\Arkio\Export\...

User files

Documents\Arkio\UserModels

Documents\Arkio\ResourceCache

Quest

The simplest way to share imports with your Quest is using Arkio on Windows/Mac to place imported models and joining a meeting with your mobile device. If you are using your Quest as a wired Headset (Oculus Link) you can use the normal Windows import/export directories. You can also place files on your Quest but then you will need to connect your device to a PC/Mac using a USB cable and give permission to access the files on your device.

Imports

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Import

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Import\Images

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Import\Models

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Import\...

Exports

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Export

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Export\Models

Quest\Internal shared storage\Pictures

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\Export\...

User files

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\UserModels

Quest\Internal shared storage\Arkio\ResourceCache

iOS & Android

The simplest way to share imports with your Quest is by loading the files from Arkio on Windows/Mac and joining the same meeting with your mobile devices. You can also connect your device to a PC/Mac to save the files or use iOS or Android file browsing app with external cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive to 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 200.000 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, or 3DSMax to see if the files load well and what geometry might be causing issues.
  
• Sometimes imported models can corrupt and affect the loading of other imported files. Cleaning your temporary ResourceCache files can solve most issues