Users guide - 3D Models
Meshbex is primarily designed for viewing/editing/processing 3D models. Meshbex can also create basic 3D shapes, but that is not its primary purpose - CAD systems are designed for creating 3D models.
Obtaining a 3d model
The first step for further work is to obtain a 3D model. 3D models are usually obtained by exporting them from various CAD software programs and 3D modeling tools. For presentation purposes in Meshbex, it is ideal to use demo 3D models, which can be easily imported.
Importing demo 3d models
There are a few demo models that can be easili imported. Drilling machine is the primary demo. This demo provides an overview of not only 3D tools, but also the assembly workflow, document editing and creation, and embedded attachments.
Pic. 1. Import demo model
Export from other 3d modeling software
Most 3D modeling software uses its own file format. However, there is always the option to export a 3D model to a format compatible with other software.
The most common 3d file formats are:
glb (primary file format for meshbex)
stp/step
stl
Each of these formats has its own specific characteristics. For details on these formats, see the help section: Supported File Formats
You can usually find the export option in the menu: File > Export > GLB. When exporting to GLB, some software programs hide this format under a different name, such as File > Export > Extended Reality.
Import 3d models
Import can be done from:
File > Import GLB (in the root menu - because GLB is primary file format)
File > Import other formats > Specif. file format
Pic. 2. File import
Actions after importing a 3D model
These steps are not required, but they are recommended. You can also perform these steps later—it will not affect the quality of the 3D model.
Edit > Cleanup (flatten unnamed nodes)
When exporting a 3D model, many unnamed nodes are created in the hierarchy. These nodes make it difficult to work with the hierarchy tree (scene outliner), so it is advisable to remove them. The removal process is fully automated.
Scene outliner > Promote to root
When exporting to a 3D model, most software adds named nodes above the main level of the model in the hierarchy. For clarity, it is a good idea to select an appropriate node in the hierarchy as the main node and remove the nodes above it.
Demonstration: File > Import demo > Forklift
Pic. 3. Before "Promote to root"
Pic. 4. After "Promote to root"
Explore 3d model
After importing the 3D model, let's explore it.
Left mouse button (LMB) - rotates the model
Mouse scroll wheel - zooms in and out of the model,
Right mouse button (RMB) - moves the model.
Section view
There is also an option to view the 3D model in cross-section view.
Pic. 5. Loaded 3d model with the button "section view"
Pic. 6. Section view
Model explosion
Meshbex allows you to create assembly workflows - the toolbar "Assembly." The "Drilling Machine" demo includes such a workflow.
Basic controls:
Home - Assembled assembly
End - Exploded assembly
Page Up - Individual assembly steps
Page Down - Individual assembly steps
Pic. 7. Fully exploded model
Note: The exploded view shown here is not created automatically; it must be created in the "Assembly" toolbar.
3D model manipulation
You can manipulate the 3D model as a whole or its individual parts as you like.
Selecting a specific part or assembly.
Before you can manipulate an object, you must select it. There are two ways to select an object:
- from the 3D viewport
- from the scene outliner (hierarchy tree)
Selection from the 3D viewport
When you hover the cursor over an object, a bounding box appears around the selected object. Once you select the object, it is highlighted.
The selection mode setting is important for selection in the viewport:
CAD selection
Detailed selection (mesh selection)
No selection
The selection type is located in the lower-left corner:
Pic. 8. Selection modes
CAD selection vs. Detailed selection
A 3D model in CAD software that has different colors assigned to different faces is exported such that each face is exported as a separate mesh. These two meshes are then merged into a parent object.
CAD selection - the entire object is selected, i.e., the object that corresponds to the object in the CAD software. This type of selection is closer to selection in CAD software.
Detailed selection - individual meshes are selected. This type of selection is important for detailed display settings.
Selection from the scene outliner (hierarchy tree)
The scene outliner is located on the left side of the screen. You can show or hide it by clicking the "SCENE" menu at the top left. Here, you can navigate the object hierarchy; selecting an object works the same way as selecting it in the 3D viewport.
Selected object transformation
Pic. 9. Transformed object (motor)
Once an object has been selected, it can be transformed. Transformation means that the object can be moved, rotated, or scaled. To transform an object, grab the gizmo and drag it. To select the type of transformation, press the t, r, or s keys after selecting the object. t = move, r = rotate, s = scale.;
Tools - adding information to a 3D model
The application allows you to add various types of information directly to a 3D model.
The information can include:
Distance measure
Angle measure
Dimension
Annotation
Each of these types of information can be displayed in two ways:
3D
flat
3D display
3D display responds to camera zoom; that is, the label enlarges or shrinks as you zoom. This label can be displayed in four ways: facing the camera and in the XY, XZ, and ZY planes.
Flat display
Flat display—in this view, the label always faces the camera and remains the same size on the screen regardless of the current zoom level.
Drilling machine demo model contains some of these information for illustration purposes.
Pic. 10. Drilling machine with additional information
Saving Changes
If the user makes changes to a file, those changes can be saved. As mentioned earlier, the primary file format is glb. All edits to the 3D model, documentation, and management of external files embedded in the application (PDFs, images, etc.) are saved exclusively in this format. Changes can be saved or exported. The main difference is that exporting always creates a new file. The "Save" and "Save As" functions work the same as in any standard application, meaning you can save to an existing file.
A GLB file can be saved or exported in several ways:
- File > Save
- File > Save As
- File > Export All to GLB (Compression). Exports all 3D models, including documentation and embedded external files.
- File > Export Selected to GLB (Compression). Exports only the selected 3D model, no documents or embedded external files are included.
Installing the application
Meshbex is built as a PWA (Progressive Web App). It can be installed on a local computer or mobile device. No admin access required. Installation on a local computer is performed from the address bar.
Pic.11. Installation on PC.
Pic. 12. Installing a PWA on Android
Document Editor
In addition to working with 3D models, Meshbex is also a full-featured text editor. Main advantage is that text documents are created and edited within the file itself, so they are an integral part of it.
Pic. 13. Document menu
Pic. 14. Document editor
Managing External Files
In addition to the document editor, bedobe can manage external files. External file management includes:
adding external files to a project
PDF viewer/editor
image editor
OCR tool
Pic. 15. Image editor
Summary of the Project’s Main Concept
The basic idea is to provide a comprehensive tool. That is, in addition to the 3D explorer, Meshbex provides a tool for text editing and managing external files, which are embedded into a single GLB file, thus providing all data in one place. Embedded files can be viewed and edited.