GISBox

How to convert OBJ files to 3DTiles files?

In GISBox, we provide you with a one-stop conversion method for various GIS file formats. You only need to import local GIS files and tile them, and then distribute them to major GIS platforms or digital twin project building platforms.

Let’s take the conversion of **OBJ files **to 3DTiles files as an example to introduce the specific steps:

1. Create a new scene

In the “Scene” option on the left, click the “Add” button to open the new scene settings.

After renaming the project, click the “Create” button to start scene editing.

After entering the scene editing, the import file window will pop up automatically. Click “General Model”, select the local obj file to add, and then click “Import”.

2. Tiling Task Settings

After adding the OBJ file, select the OBJ model in the layer on the left, and then click “File - Export Selected…” in the upper left corner.

[Tips] If you do not plan to create a scene project, you can also directly create a general model tiling task. Click “Add” in **”Tiling” **and select “General Model”.

2.1 Export Files

Select the export path in “Export to”. It is recommended to select an empty folder for export, otherwise a prompt will pop up.

2.2 Basic Parameters

The “Zero Point Coordinate” sets the base reference point of the FBX file in 3D space, and the “Size Parameter” controls the minimum amount of tile data generated.

2.3 Performance Optimization

Configuration Item Description
Texture Compression When “Default” is selected for the texture format, the slicing task will export the texture in jpg format; when “webp” is selected, the storage capacity of the exported webp format texture is about 70% of the default jpg format, which can speed up network transmission, but it can only be used under Chrome and will not reduce the video memory usage. Selecting “KTX2-uastc” can save 60% of the video memory, and selecting “KTX2-etc1s” can save 80% of the video memory.
Vertex Compression The default setting is disabled. The Draco compression algorithm is used to compress fixed-point data. When enabled, the storage amount of fixed-point data can be reduced.

The specific performance optimization settings are shown in the figure below:

2.4 Storage Type

In “Storage Type”, “Store 3DTiles 1.1” is enabled by default. When enabled, the model files in the OSGB folder will be exported in glb format. When disabled, they will be in b3dm format.

After the tiling is completed, you can select “Tiling-Completed” on the left side of the software interface to view the tiling task.

3. Streaming Settings

After enabling “Stream as Service” , the created tiling task will also add a service of the corresponding type in “Service”.

3.1 Stream as Service Simultaneously

When “Stream as Service” is enabled, a corresponding type of service will be added in “Service” after tiling is completed. For example, a tiling task for OBJ files will automatically add a service in the “Model Service” option of “Service”.

3.2 Stream as Service Separately

When “Stream as Service” is disabled, no corresponding type of service will be added in “Service” after tiling is successful, and it will need to be added manually.

After adding the exported JSON file, click the “Add” button.

4. Edit Files

4.1 Jump to Service List

After the tiling task is processed, click the “Jump to Service List” button on the right to view the corresponding service.

4.2 View Files

After the tiling task is completed, click the “Open Folder” button on the right to view the converted 3DTiles files.

4.3 Delete Files

Click the “Delete” button on the right to delete the converted files.

5. Use Service Address

If you check “Stream as Service” in the settings of the tiling task, the model will be automatically distributed after tiling is successful (the corresponding service address will be generated). We can click to open the corresponding service list, as shown in the figure below: (For more details, please refer to the tutorial: Model Service)

The generated service address can be applied to GIS platforms such as Cesium, and can also be applied to some digital twin project building platforms, such as Wings Engine.