Digital Spaces for Blender
Here you will find everything there is to know about creating a Digital Space for Blender
Start Here
Learn how to set views, render, and export to digitalspaces.io. Select a render engine to get started.
How it Works
A Digital Space is comprised of 360° renders and a 3d model. Export from most applications that support usd, dae, or fbx.
Step 1
Place views in your 3d model
Step 2
Render 360° equirectangular images of all views
Step 3
Export your 3d model and views
Step 4
Upload to digitalspaces.io
Behind the scenes
When inside a Digital Space, you are viewing a 360° equirectangular image mapped to your 3d model.
Projection from view location
Image projected to model
99%+ Model Reduction
When you upload your model to digitalspaces.io, we optimize it to around 5mb. Being this light-weight allows us to work on any device.
Original Mesh (2,300,000)
Optimized Mesh (23,000)
Reduce model size by over 99%
When you upload your model to Digital Spaces, we optimize it to around 5mb. Being this light-weight allows us to work on any device.
Original Mesh (2,300,000)
Optimized Mesh (23,000)
Images
We support 360° equirectangular renders with a 2:1 aspect ratio.
Image types we accept
.jpg
.png
.xml
Max size
500mb
Resolutions (px)
Low
2048 x 1024
Regular
4096 x 2048
High
8192 x 4096
Example
Supported render applications
3D Files
We gather geometry and camera/views from your 3d model.
Model types we accept
.usd
.dae
.fbx
Max size
5GB
Supported 3D applications
Place Views
Step 1 - By carefully selecting the placement of your viewpoints, you can create an experience that fully immerses your audience and showcases your design in the best possible light.
Step 1
Place Views
Camera
~
55"
~
4'-6"
~
140
cm
Sitting
~
45"
~
3'-9"
~
110
cm
Dog
~
20"
~
1'-8"
~
50
cm
Ground
~
0"
~
0'-0"
~
0
cm
Origin
~
X"
~
x'-x"
~
X
cm
Setting view height
Capture your Digital Space from a photographers height.
Feet and Inches
Connect views
Try to provide users with multiple exits to another view. When users get stuck, they get annoyed!
Users can easily move around
Views connect through doors
Views connect at ends of stairs
Distance
Digital Spaces are to be explored. Opening doors invites viewers inside and provides a comfortable experience.
Opening doors allow viewers to explore
Closed doors limit the viewers
Open doors
A Digital Space is to be explored. Opening doors invites viewers inside and provides a comfortable experience.
Get creative
We're all about allowing you to tell your story in the most epic way possible!
Place Views in Blender
Placing views with Cycles and Blender
Switch to Cycles
Switch to Cycles Render from the Render Properties Menu.
We only support Cycles Render at this time.
Create camera
Navigate to Add -> Camera to add a camera to your scene.
Camera Object Properties
Adjust the Z location to 140cm | 55" | 4'-6" above your floor.
Set rotation
X:
90°
Y:
0°
Z:
0°
Camera Data Properties
Set Type: Panoramic
Set Panorama Type: Equirectangular
Rename camera
Rename your camera with prefix DS_ and have it end in a number.
DS_[camera name]_01
Copy camera
Copy the camera around the scene where you would like to create viewpoints.
Render Images
Step 2 - Render your viewpoints as equirectangular maps.
Image formats
.jpg
.png
.xml
Easy Resolutions (px)
Low
2048 x 1024
Regular
4096 x 2048
High
8192 x 4096
Max size
500mb
360° Images
Render your images as equirectangular (spherical) projections with an aspect ratio of 2:1
Any resolution in 2:1 aspect ratio
We only accept mono panos
Image Names
Name your images similar to your view names
We accept any resolution as long as it has a 2:1 aspect ratio.
We only accept mono panos.
Render in Cycles
Render with Cycles and Blender
Output Properties
Adjust the image resolution so it has an aspect ratio of 2:1
Render one at a time, batch render, or use a third party render service.
You can render any image format (.exr, .png, .tiff) but images must be .jpg or .png on digitalspaces.io
Export Scene
Step 3 - Export your model and cameras.
Step 3
Export scene
When you upload your model to digitalspaces.io we optimize it to 100k triangles. Here are tips on how to prepare your model for export.
Model types we accept
.usd
.dae
.fbx
Turn off site models
Our optimizer can reduce 99% of file size, but exporting only the models users will see guarantees a great experience.
Export models close to views
Our optimizer can reduce 99% of file size, but exporting only the models users will see guarantees a great experience.
Turn off site/context models
Isolate buildings
Export multiple models for split levels or large projects
Proxy items
Decorations, vegetation, or any models that are beyond 10 feet (3m) from the camera can be proxied and set to box.
Example of pool vegetation as a mesh
Example of pool vegetation as proxies set to box
Cameras and ceilings visible
We need both geometry and cameras in your export, and be sure to not leave your ceiling behind!
Export geometry and cameras/views
Remember to export the ceiling
Export in Blender
Export from Blender
Upload
Step 4 - Upload your images and scene to digitalspaces.io
Sign in to upload
Create a Digital Space
From the dashboard, click "+ Digital Space" and enter a name.
Upload
Upload your model on the left and panos on the right.
Continue
Once your model has uploaded, you will see your cameras. Click "continue" to start processing your model.
Wait for images & model
Both the model and images will take a few minutes to process.
You will know images are done when the "Stop processing" button in the top right disappears.
Connect
Use the dropdown on each pano and select a camera it connects to.
If you are unable to select a camera, wait for the model or panos to finish processing.
View
Enter the "View" tab to see the experience.
You can go back to the project in the top left hitting "Project".
Enscape Users Only
Rotate Alignment
In the View tab, under Alignment, rotate the image counter-clockwise and Save.
Publish
Publish the experience in the top right.
Once published, you can copy the link or open in a new tab.
