Publish a 3D model: Loading experience options

The Loading Experience options in the web app's Publish tool determine what the end user sees when the 3D model first loads. Click on any of the following options to read more below.

• Auto-load
• Show "Click to Interact" hint
• Loading progress indicator
• Rotate 3D model
• Getting started tutorial
• Disable scroll wheel zooming

Auto-Load

Automatically loads the 3D model as soon as the page in which the model is embedded or launched loads. This option is enabled is by default.

Auto-load

When auto-load is disabled (i.e., the box next to "Auto-load" is unchecked), a 2D image appears in place of the 3D model when the page loads, and the learner must click (web) or tap (mobile) a button in order to load the 3D model. This option—loading "on demand"—improves overall page performance and is recommended if you plan to embed multiple models into a single page, or if the surrounding page contains a large quantity of other media that are competing for browser memory.

Load "on demand"

Show "Click to Interact" hint

Available only when auto-load is enabled.

Promotes interaction with your 3D model by displaying one of the following prompts on load:

• Button: Shows a button with the message "Interact in 3D."

• Animated hand: Shows an animated image of a hand with the message "Interact in 3D."

• Play: Shows a play button with the message "3D." Also demonstrates the model's loading progress.

Loading Progress Indicator

Tells the learner the loading status of the active chapter through one of two options:

• Bar: A thin red bar that animates along the top margin of the 3D scene as loading progresses from 0 to 100%. When the loading progress of the active chapter reaches 100%, the bar turns green.

• Circle (default): An invisible circular track that animates in a clockwise direction in the center of the 3D scene as loading progresses from 0 to 100%. Additionally displays the percentage of the chapter that has loaded.

Rotate 3D Model

Rotates the model on load, which helps illustrate that the model is 3D. By default, the model will rotate 10 degree per second, but you can modify this number to make the model rotate more slowly or faster.

Getting Started Tutorial

The Getting Started Tutorial teaches learners how to interact with your model in 3D, including how to rotate, zoom, pan, and explore the anatomy. When the "Getting Started Tutorial" option is selected in your Publish settings, the tutorial will launch automatically the first time the learner loads the model.*

Even when this option is not selected, however, the tutorial is available at all times within the Menu under Help. 

What information does the tutorial cover?

The fully interactive tutorial takes the learner through each of the following actions in the 3D model:

• Rotate
• Zoom
• Pan
• Explore the Anatomy

When the tutorial launches, the learner has the option to choose between mouse, trackpad, or keyboard and touchscreen.

The text the learner see at each step of the tutorial will depend on which option they choose on this screen.

If they choose mouse, trackpad, or keyboard, the learner will see the following text:

• Rotate: Click and drag the model to change the viewing angle.
• Zoom: Scroll up and down to zoom in or out. 
• Pan: Hold the shift key and drag to move the model’s position. 
• Explore the Anatomy: Click on an individual part of the model to highlight anatomy. 

 If they choose touchscreen, the learner will see the following text:

• Rotate: Tap and drag with one finger to change the viewing angle.
• Zoom: Pinch with two fingers to zoom in or out.
• Pan: Use two fingers to adjust the model’s position. 
• Explore the Anatomy: Tap on an individual part of the model to highlight anatomy.

At each step, the Viewer detects when the action has been completed successfully, alerts the learner accordingly with a green check mark, and (on desktop only) offers a "tip" on how to perform that action using keyboard shortcuts. 

At the end of the tutorial, the learner is instructed to use the 3D controls and toolbar to navigate through the 3D experience, launch deeper exploration tools, and relaunch this tutorial. 

How often will the tutorial appear?

If you've set the Getting Started Tutorial to launch automatically when the model loads (see How do I enable the tutorial in my models? above), the tutorial will only appear once per person. Once a learner sees the tutorial, they will not see it again until or unless they clear their cookies and site data. 

To delete your cookies and site settings in Chrome, you can either visit chrome://settings/siteData, search for "biodigital.com," and clear all associated data, or take the following steps:

Disable scroll wheel zooming

Disables zooming via the end user's scroll wheel or trackpad so they can scroll past an embedded 3D model without accidentally getting "stuck." When this option is not selected, scrolling down over an embedded model will zoom out, and scrolling up over it will zoom in.

• Show alert: When the scroll wheel or trackpad is used to scroll past an embedded model, a message with instructions on how to zoom is displayed to the user. (Scroll past the model below to see this message.)

• Do not show alert: Does not display the above message to the user.