Importing models larger than 100K triangles 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.

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.

To load Revit, Rhino and SketchUp files you need to first open these models in the original software and use the Arkio plugins included in our Windows Installer to prepare your active 3D view for Arkio.

To share imported files in Arkio with other devices you can place the imported model in the scene and join a meeting that shares your Arkio scene with the other devices in the same meeting.

Importing files to Arkio

You can import files by selecting the files or folders from the import dialog on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android. For loading models with textures and other support files, you can best load a zip file or the entire folder including texture and support files to make sure Arkio can include all the materials textures, and properties of your 3D files.

You can also copy the files to be imported in the Documents/Arkio/Import directory (find the directories for your device below) and go to the Create>Import drawer on Arkio. 

Loading new files in the import folders can be done while Arkio is running. You can refresh the imports by clicking on the refresh icon on the top left corner of your import panel and waiting for the files to be processed.

Note: Placing models larger than 100K triangles or models exported from our Unity, Revit, Rhino and SketchUp plugins will require an active Arkio license to be applied

Imported models and images can be placed in the scene like (Movable) Arkio props. This allows you to manually position the imported in your scene (green table surface) and pin them yourself.

Imported models and images can also be (Pinned at origin) This will place the geometry in the Arkio scene based on the models original 3D origin point so it aligns with other models and round trips of Arkio exports back to your original tools.

You also can set the units for general imported 3D models (OBJ and GLB) that are not created using our Windows plugins for Revit/Rhino/Sketchup/Unity. And you can set if you want the placement of these models to be in the current Arkio scene or a new scene.

Model import size

Arkio supports the importing of large models of up to 10M triangles on mobile devices. If you want to load even larger files it's recommended to first load the model on a more powerful device (eg a gaming PC running Arkio) before sharing it with a mobile device in a meeting. Imported models can look less detailed depending on your device's triangle budget.

You can learn more about working with large models on any device on this page.

828K/10.9M loaded on Quest 3 standalone	5.4M/10.9M loaded on Quest PC (air)link mode

Loading indicators

When loading files,  the following icons above the model will indicate if the files are being processed, loaded, or have issues. Models imported in Arkio are stored locally and are only shared with other meeting participants in a live Arkio meeting, this happens fully end-to-end encrypted. 

Loading from server	Too large for device	File not found	Update available
Downloading model	geometry only partly shown	Click to remove	Click to replace

If you see a yellow or red warning cloud it means that the model you try to load is too large for your device and cannot be loaded. Try reducing the model size or using Arkio on a more powerful device like a PC with a VR headset in link mode.

Updating models

When you upload a new version of your model or image with the same name to the cloud, Arkio will download and process the model automatically and show a yellow notification in your scene to indicate a new version of that model is available. You can click this yellow icon to update the placed model with the new version.

Arkio will keep the older versions of your imported models around so you can always go back to a previous version by selecting the date in your placement menu and clicking "Update". This only works for replacing models that were placed pinned at origin.

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 convert your Arkio geometry to solid geometry and families that can be exported to DWG, IFC, SAT and STL using Revit's exporters. You can also export your models to Rhino, SketchUp, Unity, BIM 360 and OBJ or GLB formats.

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

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Images

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Models

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Revit

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Rhino

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\SketchUp

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Unity

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\Programs

%userprofile%\Documents\Arkio\Import\InvalidImport

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

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

~/Library/Containers/Arkio/Data/Documents/Arkio/Import

~/Library/Containers/Arkio/Data/Documents/Arkio/Export

~/Library/Containers/Arkio/Data/Documents/Arkio/UserModels

~/Library/Containers/Arkio/Library/ApplicationSupport
/is.arkio.arkio/Arkio/ResourceCache

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 your Windows 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:

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

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

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

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

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.

Files\Arkio\Import

Files\Arkio\Export

Files\Arkio\UserModels

Files\Arkio\ResourceCache

Known issues:

• Avoid performance loss, long processing times, and crashes by exporting only the geometry you need when working with mobile devices like the Meta Quest.
• If you experience issues loading your models try to load the exports in Windows 3D Viewer, Rhino, Blender or 3DSMax to see if the geometry might be invalid and might be causing issues.
  
• Sometimes previously imported models can affect the loading of other imported files. Cleaning your temporary ResourceCache files or reinstalling the app can solve most issues.