Learn how to prepare 3D models to use in Adobe Dimension. Dimension is a composition and rendering application and does not include modeling tools for creating original 3D models. You can import files from most applications for use in Dimension. Before import, here are some tips on how to prepare models for best results.

Units

When importing objects created in another application, Dimension respects the units for formats that store the unit information. If the imported object does not have unit information (such as OBJ), Dimension uses centimeters as the default unit of measurement.

You can customize which units your document uses by changing the scene units setting. The available scene units are:

• Meters
• Centimeters
• Millimeters
• Feet
• Inches
• Yards

UVs

UVs are a coordinate system used in 3D that tells the application what part of a 2D image is placed on what part of a 3D model. This allows textures and images to be placed onto the 3D model. UVs cannot be customized within Dimension.

On import, Dimension gives you the option to

• Generate UVs if none are found on the model
• Skip generating UVs and import model with no UVs

You can change this any time in your preferences.

Note : If your model already has existing UVs, Dimension will import them as is.

UVs should:

• Be in the 0 to 1 positive space
• Only overlap when the model should always use mirrored or overlapping texture patterns
• Be relative in scale to the parts of the object
• Be even in their distribution to minimize stretching

Normals

Every polygon has a normal property, which tells the application the direction in which the polygon is facing. Dimension does not have controls for normals. Therefore, it is important that normals are set to be uniform and facing outward prior to importing to Dimension, as back-facing and uneven normals will render black. If your model does not have any normals then Dimension automatically adds them during import.

Polygon Count

3D models are made out of points in space that are connected to form polygons. For best results, models should use the least amount of polygons to get the desired visual results. Polygons take memory to render so the number of polygons you can have in a Dimension scene before it impacts performance depends on the hardware being used.

There are many techniques that can be used to reduce polygon count, such as baking high-resolution details into a normal map instead of using polygons.