Best practices for integrating a 3D model into PowerPoint

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Although BioDigital Human models cannot be directly embedded into PowerPoint slides, it is easy to incorporate them into presentations using a combination of still images and hyperlinks.

  1. First, we recommend capturing a still image of your model and inserting into the slide to provide a preview of the 3D content.
  2. Next, you will publish a link to your 3D model and then hyperlink either the image itself or the image's caption to the fully interactive 3D model, which will open in the device's default browser.
  3. Once the model is loaded in the browser, facilitators can demonstrate and interact with it in front of an audience or screen recording software, or learners can interact with it directly. 

See below for details on how to accomplish each of these steps.

 

Step 1: Download an image of the 3D model

First, follow the steps below to capture a still image of your 3D model and download it as a PNG or JPEG file. (The resulting image file is what you will insert into your PowerPoint slide in Step 2.)

Note: More details about the image download tool in Studio can be found in Download a customized image of a model. If you follow the steps there, be sure to select Copy Link, not Copy Embed, in step 4.

  1. In Explore or My Library, browse or search to find a model that you would like to use for your image.
  2. Hover over the model and click the  Customize in Studio button at the bottom of the model's tile.
  3. (Optional) Rotate, pan, and/or zoom to position the model as desired.
  4. (Optional) Use our customization tools to modify the appearance of your model as desired (e.g., hide structures using the Hide tool or Anatomy Tree, add paint or effects to specific structures, add or remove labels).
  5. When you are ready to capture your image, select the    Image icon in the toolbar at the top of the page.
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  6. (Optional) In the Image panel on the right, adjust your image settings as desired. See Image settings below for details.
  7. Click the Download button at the bottom of the Image panel to download the image to your device's Downloads folder.

 

Step 2: Insert your image into PowerPoint

To insert the image of your model into your presentation, follow the instructions below that correspond to your device and/or version of PowerPoint.

    1. Open the Insert tab and select Pictures and then This Device.
    2. In the dialog that appears, browse to find the image of your model that you downloaded in Step 1 above, select it, and click Insert.
    1. Open the Insert tab and select Pictures and then Picture from File.
    2. In the dialog that appears, browse to find the image of your model that you downloaded in Step 1 above, select it, and click Insert.

 

Step 3: Publish a link to your 3D model

Next, publish a direct link to your 3D model by following the steps below.

Note: A more comprehensive version of these instructions can be found in Publish a 3D model. If you follow the steps there, be sure to select Copy Link, not Copy Embed, in step 4.

  1. Open My Library and find the saved model you want to publish.
  2. Hover over the model's tile and click the   Publish button.
  3. Customize your Viewer settings to better complement your learning objectives, target device size(s), or page layout. Learn more about the available customization options in 3D embed publishing settings.
  4. Click Copy Link to copy your published 3D model to your browser's clipboard.
  5. Paste your copied link into a note or document that you will be able to access easily in Step 4.

 

Step 4: Insert your hyperlink into PowerPoint

To insert a hyperlink to your model into your presentation, follow the instructions below that correspond to your device and/or version of PowerPoint.

    1. Select the image you inserted into your slide in Step 2 above, or add a caption or button beneath the image and select that caption or image (or both).
    2. Open the Insert tab and select Hyperlink.

    3. Select Existing File or Web Page.

    4. In the dialog that appears, paste the 3D model link from Step 3 into the Address field.
    5. (Optional) In the ScreenTip field, enter the text that you would like to appear when the user hovers over the hyperlink.
    6. Click OK.
    1. Select the image you inserted into your slide in Step 2 above, or add a caption or button beneath the image and select that caption or image (or both).
    2. Open the Insert tab and select Link.
    3. In the Insert Hyperlink dialog that appears, paste the 3D model link from Step 3 into the Address field.
    4. (Optional) In the ScreenTip field, enter the text that you would like to appear when the user hovers over the hyperlink.
    5. Click OK.
    1. Select the image you inserted into your slide in Step 2 above, or add a caption or button beneath the image and select that caption or image (or both).
    2. Open the Insert tab and select Text.
    3. Select Hyperlink.

    4. In the Link to dialog that appears, paste the 3D model link from Step 3 into the Address field.
    5. Click OK.

Note: All of the PowerPoint instructions above were adapted from Microsoft Support. Comprehensive instructions can be found in the following articles: