Integrating 3D objects

Last modified by Anna Paul-Hasenfuss on 30.06.2024

You can include interactive 3D models into all tests and tasks. This is possible thanks to the integration of x3dom, an XML-based description language.

X3dom enables the creation and visualisation of three-dimensional objects. Learners can work interactively with these, e.g. move objects or perform actions specified by the author. This functionality is particularly attractive for practice and self-study scenarios.

Editor - 3D Objekt bewegen_de.png

(All images are based on content examples kindly provided by the Chair of Virtual Reality and Multimedia at TU Freiberg. You can find the examples for download on the page 3D Content examples)

X3dom is a licence-free and open file format.

How to integrate 3D objects in the editor

You can integrate 3D objects in all areas where the HTML editor is available and the 3D icon Icon_3D.png is visible.

Open the task or test in which you want to integrate a 3D model. Click on Icon_3D.png in the header section of the HTML editor.

 

Editor - 3D Objekt einfügen_de.png

Clicking this icon opens a dialogue to enter the x3dom description. A simple example is the x3d description of a simple cube representation in the text field.

 

Editor - x3D Würfelbeschreibung_de.png

Replace this content with your own x3dom description. If you want more information on creating 3D elements in x3dom visit x3dom.

Once you click on the Finish button, the object is inserted.

 

Editor - 3D Objekt Änderungen speichern_de.png

In the HTML editor, an inserted 3D object is marked with the symbol Icon_eingefügtes 3D Objekt.png.

 

Editor - 3D Objekt im Editor_de.png

If you want to upload additional content, you can do so in the "Options" tab in the form of external files. CSS and JavaScript content is automatically loaded for display. Media content can be referenced via the path "media/filename" in x3dom.

 

Editor - zusätzliche Inhalte für 3D Objekt einfügen_de.png

How to test the interactivity of 3D objects

As soon as the object is configured in the editor, you will see a scaled-down preview in the dialogue below the x3dom description. A detailed one with all possible additional media content is available by opening the preview of the created task or test. To move the 3D object, hold it with you mouse pointer and then move it in the direction of your choice.

Editor - 3D Objekt bewegen_de.png

How to edit an existing 3D object

You can edit an already integrated 3D object as follows:

Open the relevant task in the editor. Click on the Icon_eingefügtes 3D Objekt.png symbol for the 3D object in the editor and then select the button Icon_3D.png for editing a 3D object.

 

Editor - 3D Objekt bearbeiten_de.png

This opens the "Edit x3dom" dialogue for you to make your adjustments. Click on "Finish" to save and apply the changes.

 

Editor - 3D Objekt Änderungen speichern_de.png

3D objects in PDF documents

Please note that a 3D element cannot be displayed in a PDF document. In its place, you will find a standard icon.

Pdf - 3D Objekt_de.png