Export CAD and Materials from Cinema 4D for web 3D visualization and Augmented Reality

In this video tutorial, we will walk through the process of importing a CAD object into Cinema 4D, optimizing polygon settings, applying materials, and preparing the file for use in My AR Studio. We will also demonstrate how to manage the number of polygons for optimal performance in AR experiences.

Import a CAD Object in Cinema 4D

  1. Open Cinema 4D and go to File > Open.
  2. Select the file you want to use for the project. In this example, we are using a card object in STP format.
Importing an CAD File in Cinema 4D
  1. The default import settings will appear. You can use the default or customize them depending on your needs.

Manage Tessellation and Polygon Settings

Tessellation is crucial to determine the level of detail (the number of polygons) in your model. Adjusting this will affect performance and appearance.

Some CAD software includes a mesh version of the 3D model. You can try and use it by enabling Source mesh 1.

In case there is no source mesh or it is not suitable you need to set an option in the Detailing dropdown:

  • for example choose one of the presets in the Low, Medium, or High tessellation based on your needs.
  • Be cautious not to over-increase the number of polygons to avoid performance issues on mobile devices.
Importing CAD Options
  • Click OK to apply the tessellation. If you see that the model appears too low-poly (with visible facets), import the model again with a higher tessellation setting.
Low poly and High poly comparison

Here is a comparison between different tessellation levels for the example model we used in this tutorial. The number indicates how many polygons.

The goal is to achieve a balance between quality and performance.

Comparison of Low and High Polygon Counts

To check the number of polygons use the "Object Information" window:

  • right click on the root of your hierarchy 1
  • click on Object Information 2
You can also right click on your model 3 but be aware of what's your selection: you can inspect the whole mesh or a single object.
Accessing Object Information

In the window that opens you can check the number of polygons.

Checking the number of polygons in Object Information window

Adjust Model Position and Scale

  1. After importing, check if the object is positioned correctly on the work plane. If necessary, reposition it to align with the origin of the scene, above the ground.
Place the object at the origin of the scene, above the ground.
  1. Scale the model to the correct physical size:
  • Open the Window> Coordinate Manager (Shift + 7)
  • select the root object and set "Size + " 1 to show the dimensions of the whole object
  • in case the physical dimensions are not correct you can set the right size or apply a scale
Checking the number of polygons in Object Information window

For example to apply a 2.54 conversion from inches to centimeters:

  • change to Scale 2
  • enter the conversion factor 3
Scaling the Object in Cinema 4D
Note: Keeping your model properly scaled is essential for accurate AR placement: the object will be rendered in the physical dimension you set.

Apply Materials to the 3D Object

  1. Open the Asset Browser 1 to access pre-made materials in Cinema 4D.
  2. Go to Materials and explore categories like Plastic 2.
  3. To apply a material, drag and drop the material onto the object 3
  4. If you need to apply the material twice or more open the Material Manager 4 and drag&drop from here 5 to avoid duplicating the material and adding useless weight to the model
Applying Materials to the Object
For maximum AR compatibility use materials that are texture-based (using JPEG or PNG images) and not procedural, as procedural textures may not be exported correctly into GLB format.

To remove unwanted materials, simply delete them from the object’s Material Manager.

Exporting to GLB Format

Now, export the model in GLB (binary) format, which is compatible with My AR Studio.

  • Go to File 1 > Export 2 > GLTF/GLB, and click the settings (gear) icon 3.
Note: make sure to click on the gear icon and not on the text. Clicking on the text means "quick export" and it will not show the export options.
Open the Export Dialog for GLTF/GLB format.
  • In the glTF Export Settings panel:
    • Set the File Format to GLB binary 1.
    • Enable the textures 2.
    • You can shrink the texture resolutions by setting "Don't Enlarge" and setting a texture size.
    • Click su OK 4
GLTF/GLB Export Dialog.

Uploading to My AR Studio

After exporting your model, head to My AR Studio via your browser to upload the file.

  • Go to My AR Studio, click Try Now, and log in or create an account.
  • Once inside your workspace, click the 1 icon to upload the exported GLB model.
Create a new Product in My AR Studio
  • Either drag-and-drop the GLB file from File Explorer 2 into the white area of the web browser 3
Import a GLB file into My AR Studio with the drag&drop technique
  • or click in the white area 4 to open a File selection dialog and select the GLB file from your computer.

Once imported, you can view and prepare the model for AR visualization as usual.