Adobe has released Substance 3D Reviewer, a free tool for conducting shared online reviews of 3D assets, on desktop or in room-scale VR.
The platform, which was built in collaboration with Meta, enables multiple VR or desktop users to “explore and discuss 3D models together in a shared virtual space, all in real time”.
A free tool for conducting shared online reviews of 3D models in room-scale VR
Although there are a number of existing platforms for online reviews of 3D assets, many of them also free, Adobe’s pitch for Substance 3D Reviewer is that it supports VR.
According to this blog post, it “transforms design reviews by bringing 3D models to life at room scale”, with “true 1:1 scale [revealing] dimensional relationships that 2D screens can’t, enabling accurate evaluations of ergonomics and fit impossible … from screenshots or turntables.
A 3D model uploaded to Substance 3D Reviewer and automatically optimized for shared real-time viewing. You can compare the original asset on Sketchfab (SPY-HYPERSPORT by Amvall).
Uses a simple, semi-automated workflow
Workflow is straightforward, with users simply dragging assets into a browser window in the desktop version of Substance 3D Reviewer.
The platform supports a range of 3D file formats, including OBJ, FBX, glTF/GLB, USD and STEP.
After uploading, users get the option to optimize the model for real-time display, which is a semi-automated process.
The uploaded model can then be reviewed by clients or collaborators, either online or in VR.
Although the platform seems to be geared primarily to shared reviews with real-time voice chat, there are also simple tools for pinning text comments to models.
Current limitations
Substance 3D Reviewer seems to be geared more towards reviewing broad overall design choices than the fine details of 3D models.
Users are recommended to use lightweight assets: while you can upload files up to 500MB in size, Adobe recommends file sizes of 3MB or less after optimization.
In addition, the recommended texture resolution is 2048 x 2048px or lower.
While there is some support for CAD and industrial design formats, including DXF, JT, and CATIA’s native file formats, it is currently experimental, and the results “can be unpredictable”.
The platform is also only for viewing static assets – rigging and animation is currently not supported, so Adobe recommends freezing the poses of animated models.
You can see a list of current restrictions in the online documentation.
Price and system requirements
The Substance 3D Viewer app is available free to anyone with an Adobe account. You can also register for an Adobe account for free.
The desktop version should work in standard modern desktop web browsers. The VR version is compatible with Meta Quest 2, Pro, 3 and 3s headsets.
Read more about Adobe’s free Substance 3D Reviewer tool in the online documentation
Use Substance 3D Reviewer online
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