Export custom materials for Shapr3D Visualization

Shapr3D Visualization supports importing custom materials through the .GLB file format. This makes it possible to bring in materials created in external rendering or material-authoring applications and use them directly in Shapr3D.

A GLB file is based on the glTF (GL Transmission Format) standard and is designed for exchanging 3D assets between applications. It can bundle material definitions, textures, and shading information into a single file, which makes it a practical format for transferring custom materials into Shapr3D.

Many professional visualization tools support exporting materials as GLB, allowing you to build custom material libraries outside of Shapr3D and then import them for realistic rendering and presentation.

This article outlines common workflows for exporting materials from popular rendering tools and preparing them for import into Shapr3D Visualization.

General workflow for exporting custom materials

Most rendering and material-authoring tools don’t export materials as standalone files. Instead, materials are included in a .GLB export by applying them to one or more bodies first.

1. Create or edit your material in a supported third-party application such as Blender, Substance, or KeyShot.
2. Apply the material to a body in the scene. If you want to export multiple materials, apply each one to a separate body.
3. Export the textured body or bodies as a .GLB file. The exported GLB file will carry the material definitions and textures.
4. Import the GLB file into Shapr3D Visualization.

For detailed platform-specific export steps, refer to the official documentation of your rendering software.

Workflow by application

Blender

Blender is one of the most common tools for preparing GLB-based material libraries. You can create materials directly in Blender or use it to convert materials from other software into the GLB format.

• Export using File > Export > glTF 2.0 (.glb)
• Learn more from Blender’s documentation: glTF 2.0 exporter guide 

Substance (Adobe)

Substance tools can generate advanced PBR material sets that can be exported and packaged into GLB through compatible workflows.

• Export textures and materials, then assemble into GLB using a supported pipeline such as Blender or another renderer.
• Refer to Adobe’s official documentation: 
  • Substance 3D documentation 
  • First Steps with Substance 3D Sampler

KeyShot

KeyShot materials can be transferred into GLB workflows depending on your export setup and supported extensions.

• Export your material setup into a compatible interchange format, then convert to GLB if needed.
• Refer to KeyShot support resources:
  • How to use smart export options in KeyShot
  • Export formats

Autodesk VRED

VRED workflows depend on the version you are using:

VRED 2024 and newer

1. Apply the materials you want to import to a body or multiple bodies within your VRED scene. 
   Note: To export multiple materials, apply each one to a separate body.
2. Export the material as a GLB file from VRED.
3. Import the GLB file into Shapr3D Visualization.

VRED versions before 2024

1. Export an FBX file from VRED.
2. Import the FBX file into Blender.
3. Export from Blender as .GLB.
4. Import the GLB file into Shapr3D Visualization.

For more details, refer to Autodesk’s documentation: Best Practices for Sharing and Embedding USDz and GLB Files

Generate a GLB material file using AI tools

If you already have an image reference (such as a wall texture or fabric pattern), you can also use AI-based tools to help generate a .GLB file that contains a ready-to-import material. This workflow can be useful for quickly creating custom materials when you don’t have an existing rendering pipeline.

1. Upload your reference image to an AI tool such as ChatGPT that supports 3D or material export workflows.
2. Use a prompt requesting a GLB file that includes a material with embedded textures. 
   • For example: Generate a .glb file that contains a material with 2K textures using this image as a reference.
3. Download the generated GLB file.
4. Import the GLB file into Shapr3D Visualization.

Use external material libraries

If you don’t already have a material library, you can also find free material libraries online from sources such as Poly Haven. If a material isn’t available in .GLB format you can:

1. Download a Blender-compatible version.
2. Open the file in Blender.
3. Export the file as a .GLB file.
4. Import the GLB file into Shapr3D Visualization.