Integrating 3D Objects

Last modified by Carina Enke on 15.11.2025

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.
The [section] macro is a standalone macro and it cannot be used inline. Click on this message for details.
This macro generates standalone content. As a consequence you need to make sure to use a syntax that separates your macro from the content before and after it so that it's on a line by itself. For example in XWiki Syntax 2.0+ this means having 2 newline characters (a.k.a line breaks) separating your macro from the content before and after it.

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 is visible.

Open the task or test in which you want to integrate a 3D model. Click on in the header section of the HTML editor.
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.
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.
In the HTML editor, an inserted 3D object is marked with the symbol .
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.

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 symbol for the 3D object in the editor and then select the button for editing a 3D object.
This opens the "Edit x3dom" dialogue for you to make your adjustments. Click on "Finish" to save and apply the changes.

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