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You can create a scene by adding all the 3D data available for a location into one space and aligning the different models to position them correctly in the physical space. Viewing the different 3D content in one scene will give the user a richer context and understanding of the physical conditions of their location. You can also add a skybox and a ground plane to the scene. This will make it easier to read the depth and perceive the contrast of the scene.

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Before you start

  • Make sure you create and set up a data model the first time you create a scene for your project.
  • You must upload and process all the 3D data you want to add to your scene. For more information, see upload 3D models.
IMPORTANTTo use 3D in Search, configure a scene and link it to a location. Configure CDF locations has more information.

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Create a scene

1

Navigate to 3D models

Go to CDF > Data management > Configure > 3D.
2

Create a new scene

Select New > Scene and follow the wizard to create a scene.
The geoposition field includes both the latitude and longitude. A location is the global location filter across CDF. You can also link a scene to a location. CDF locations has more information.

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Configure a scene

1

Open the scene overview

Select the newly created scene to open the scene overview.
Scene overview interface
2

Add 3D resources

To configure your scene and select the 3D resources you want to add to the scene, select + Add 3D data. 3D resources can be CAD, point cloud, or 360 images. Use the search box to find an existing 3D resource and select Add.
Add 3D file to scene dialog
3

Adjust the model position

Select the added 3D resource and adjust the model’s position in the x, y, and z directions. You can adjust the rotation and scale of the model.
4

Configure the environment

Switch to the Environment tab and select the texture you want to use for the 3D resource.Textures can be skyboxes and ground planes. You can add existing images or upload images to use for the 3D resource by selecting Add custom.
  • Select the Skybox you want for the selected 3D resource.
  • Select the Ground texture you want for the selected 3D resource.
You can view the 3D model from different angles using the options in the top bar within a scene:
  • Use the Orbit mode to rotate around the objects to view all the sides.
  • Use the Fly mode to view the interior and exterior of any closed model.
  • Double-click anywhere in the 3D model to move instantly.
5

Configure the camera settings

Once you’re done, switch to the Camera tab. Position the camera at the desired view and select Set camera position. The camera position is the view a user gets when they enter a scene.
6

Set thumbnail and publish

You can set the scene thumbnail in three ways:
  • Select the Use default camera position for thumbnail option.
If this option was turned on while setting the default camera position, a thumbnail is already set.
  • Position the camera to your desired view and select Set thumbnail.
  • Upload a custom image by selecting Upload custom thumbnail.
After setting the thumbnail, Publish the scene to the project.
You have published the scene.
You can edit and update scenes. Switch to the Details tab in the scene overview to edit the scene configurations. Select Edit, make the necessary changes, and Save. If you haven’t linked your existing scene to a location, you can do so from the Details tab.

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Toolbar tips

  • Measurements let you measure various dimensions in your models, such as:
    • Point coordinates
    • Point to point and multipoint measurements
    • Vertical and horizontal areas, and the area of a polygon
    • Volumes, including cylinder measurements
    • Circles and diameter measurements for pipes, vessels, and tanks
  • Use the Settings to set the rendering quality, configure point cloud settings, and change the units.
Default scene settingsYou can configure default settings for your scene, such as model visibility, rendering quality, point cloud settings, and default camera position. These settings persist across sessions, so you don’t need to manually adjust scene configurations each time.
  • Ghost mode grays out areas that are out of focus for your work.
Select Help on the toolbar for instructions on navigating in a 3D model.

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Unified 3D Contextualization

When you’re contextualizing 3D objects, use the unified 3D contextualization editor for CAD, point cloud, or 360° images within a scene. In the scene overview, under the 3D content tab, find the CAD, point cloud, or 360° image you want to contextualize. Select the 3D model and select Contextualize to start the contextualization.
Unified 3D scene overview with contextualization options
For more information on how to contextualize each of the 3D models using the single select model, see CAD, Point cloud, and 360° image.