Ngenaire Docs
Log inSign up free

3D Models

The 3D Models page (sidebar: Model → 3D Models, route /modeling/3d-models) lets you attach geometry to a project — physical assemblies, mechanical layouts, or environmental scenes — so reviewers can reason about physical and spatial context, not just abstract diagrams.

Each model is built server-side from a short Blender Python (bpy) script and exported to a GLB asset that renders in an interactive in-app viewer.

3D Models depend on object storage (S3). The feature requires S3 to be configured; without it, generated GLB assets cannot be stored or served.

When to use it

  • Mechanical or electromechanical projects where physical layout matters.
  • Spatial reasoning about an environment (a building, an operating volume).
  • Stakeholder reviews where a 3D view communicates more than a 2D diagram.

Walkthrough

1. Open the page

  1. Click Model → 3D Models in the sidebar.
  2. Make sure a project is selected — models are scoped to the current project.

2. Create a model

  1. Click New 3D Model.
  2. Enter a Name and an optional Description.
  3. In the Blender Python script field, write the geometry. bpy is pre-imported and the scene starts empty; whatever you build is auto-exported as GLB. The starter script adds a few primitives you can replace.
  4. Click Generate. Ngenaire runs the script in Blender and stores the resulting GLB.

You can also ask the AI Assistant to create a model for the project — the empty-state panel notes that you can "ask the agent to" build one.

3. View a model

  1. Select a model from the list on the left.
  2. The model renders in the interactive viewer. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, and use the viewer controls to reframe.
  3. The header shows the model's name, description, file size, and creation time. The Source script panel below shows the Blender Python that produced it.

4. Edit and regenerate

  1. With a model selected, click Edit & regenerate in the Source script panel.
  2. Adjust the Blender Python in the editor.
  3. Click Save & regenerate. Ngenaire re-runs Blender and overwrites the previous geometry; the viewer refreshes to show the new GLB.

5. Delete a model

  1. Hover the model in the list and click the trash icon (or use the delete action).
  2. Confirm. This permanently removes the model and its generated GLB asset.

Tips

  • Keep geometry simple. Lightweight meshes load faster in the viewer and in reports.
  • Iterate with the script. Because models regenerate from their bpy script, you can refine the geometry repeatedly without re-uploading anything.
  • Use models as review aids. The CAD master should still live in your dedicated CAD tool; Ngenaire's 3D view is for systems-engineering context.

Related