Importing models larger than 15MB requires a Plus, 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.
Arkio supports importing and exporting of images, and 3D models from various tools. The simplest way to import and export files is using the new Arkio Cloud to share files between all your Arkio devices.
The free PC version of Arkio comes with plugins for Revit, Rhino and SketchUp. To share imported files in Arkio you can load the models on one device and join the same meeting to share your current Arkio scenes with all imported files to other devices and users
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.
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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 as a non-movable reference (Locked at origin)
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or placed freely like other Arkio props (Place as object)
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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.
Platform | Max. number of polygons | Max. file size |
Windows or Mac | 20M | 2.000 MB |
Meta Quest 1 | 900K | 180 MB |
Meta Quest 2 | 1,5M | 250 MB |
Meta Quest Pro | 1,5M | 250 MB |
iOS | 1,5M | 250 MB |
Android | 1,5M | 250 MB |
Loading indicators
When loading files, the following icons will indicate if the files are 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 new users to download.
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Loading locally | Loading from server | File not found | Update available |
Initializing model |
Downloading model |
Click to remove |
Click to replace |
If you see a yellow or red warning cloud it means that the model you tried to load is too large for your device and cannot be loaded. Try reducing the model size or use Arkio on a more powerful device like a PC with a VR headset in (air) link mode.
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 triangle notification to indicate that a new version is available. You can click this yellow icon to update it.
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 solid geometry and families that can be exported to DWG, IFC, SAT and STL using Revit. You can also export your models to Rhino, SketchUp, BIM 360 and OBJ or GLB formats.
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When selecting OBJ all Arkio's shapes and custom-imported objects are exported to one mesh with their materials and textures saved in the device Export/Models folder. GLB files will contain all textures and the individual mesh elements in their own hierarchy. The models get exported in metric (1 unit = 1 meter). You can continue working on your models using 3D modeling software to convert the file to other mesh formats like FBX.
Windows
Arkio on Windows is the easiest way to get models in and out of Arkio. The latest version includes the Revit/Rhino/SketchUp plugins and can be downloaded for free from our website you can also connect your PC version of Arkio to a Cloud group to share your files from other devices.
Imports
%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import
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Main import directory |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Images
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Prepared Images in PNG (best for drawings) and JPG (best for pictures) |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models
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Prepared OBJ and MTL files including the required textures |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Programs
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Customized program import CSV following our template |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Videos
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Load your own videos in Arkio using a weblink |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins (automatically saved here) |
Exports
%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export
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Main export directory |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Models
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Arkio models exported to OBJ and MTL files including textures |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Photos
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Photos created with Arkio (1920x1080 resolution) |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\Programs
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Arkio program data exported as CSV |
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%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Export\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins (automatically saved here) |
User files
%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\UserModels
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Arkio's saved models |
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%userprofile%\appdata\locallow\Arkio\Arkio |
Arkio temporarily files |
Mac
You can best use the Arkio Cloud to share files to and from Arkio on your Mac.
You can also load files directly to and from your Arkio on Mac from 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\
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Main import directory |
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...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Images
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Prepared Images in PNG (best for drawings) and JPG (best for pictures) |
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...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models
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Prepared OBJ and MTL files including the textures |
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...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins |
Exports
~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Data\
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Main export directory | |
...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models
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Arkio models exported to OBJ and MTL files including textures | |
...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Export\Photos
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Photos created with Arkio (1920x1080 resolution) | |
...\Data\Documents\Arkio\Export\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins (exports from plugins can be placed here) |
User files
~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Data\
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Arkio's saved models |
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~\Library\Containers\is.arkio.arkio\Library\
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Arkio temporarily files |
Quest
You can best use the Arkio Cloud to share files to and from Arkio on mobile devices. If you are using your Quest in (Air) Link Mode you can use the Windows version of Arkio with its import/export directories. You can also import/export files directly on your Quest using a USB cable. This requires you to enable developer mode and give permission to access the following file paths:
Imports
\Internal shared storage\Android\data\com.arkio.arkio |
Main import directory |
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...\files\Arkio\Import\Images
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Prepared Images in PNG (best for drawings) and JPG (best for pictures) |
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...\files\Arkio\Import\Models
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Prepared OBJ and MTL files including the textures |
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...\files\Arkio\Import\Import\... |
Other categories for our Windows plugins (exports can be placed here) |
Exports
\Internal shared storage\Android\data\com.arkio.arkio |
Main export directory |
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...\files\Arkio\Export\Models
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Arkio models exported to OBJ and MTL files including textures |
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...\files\Arkio\Export\Photos |
Photos created with Arkio (1920x1080 resolution) |
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...\files\Arkio\Export\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins |
User files
\Internal shared storage\Android\data\ |
Arkio's saved models |
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\Internal shared storage\Android\data\ |
Arkio temporarily files |
iOS & Android
You can best use the Arkio Cloud to share files to and from Arkio on mobile devices. You can also use iOS or Android file browsers to manually transfer the files to and from Arkio.
Imports
Files\Arkio\Import
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Main import directory |
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Files\Arkio\Import\Images
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Prepared Images in PNG (best for drawings) and JPG (best for pictures) |
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Files\Arkio\Import\Models
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Prepared OBJ and MTL files including the textures |
|
Files\Arkio\Import\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins (exports from plugins can be placed here) |
Exports
Files\Arkio\Export
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Main export directory |
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Files\Arkio\Export\Models
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Arkio models exported to .obj and .mtl including the textures |
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Files\Arkio\Export\Photos
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Photos created with Arkio (1920x1080 resolution) |
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Files\Arkio\Export\...
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Other categories for our Windows plugins |
User files
Files\Arkio\UserModels |
Arkio's saved models |
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Files\Arkio\ResourceCache
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Arkio temporarily files |
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 previously imported models can affect the loading of other imported files. Cleaning your temporary ResourceCache files can solve most issues
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