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FAQ

Basics

What is Sketchfab?

Sketchfab is a web platform to publish, share and embed interactive 3D models online in real-time without plugins. The world around us is in 3 dimensions, but the web is still in 2D, and we want to change that. Millions of people make 3D models or scan the real world in 3D, why would they share this in 2D? What YouTube did for video makers, or Soundcloud for musicians, we want to do for creators of 3D content.

Take a look at our intro video below to learn more.

Who is it for?

Sketchfab is for everyone! If you’re creating 3D content, this is the place for you to publish and share it. From artists, designers, engineers, architects, and brands, to those utilizing 3D scanners to digitize the world around them - you’re all welcome here. And Sketchfab is not just for the creators; we’re helping to unlock this incredible content, and create a new form of online media that anyone can browse and enjoy.

How does it work?

Sketchfab is entirely browser-based, and doesn't require you to download or install any additional software in order to work; all you’ll need is a WebGL compatible browser in order to view the models in their full 3D glory. Create a free account and upload a 3D model in one of our 28 supported formats. Our server will process the file, and we use standard web technologies (WebGL and HTML5) to display it in real-time in your browser. You can add metadata and share your model on the web. You can remove the models you uploaded at anytime from your dashboard. And you can embed our viewer on any web page, just like a YouTube video. Neat, right?

Is my browser compatible?

To display 3D content in real-time we use WebGL, which is available on the following desktop browsers:

  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Google Chrome
  • Opera
  • Safari (must enable manually)
    1. Go to Safari > Preferences... > Advanced and check Show Develop menu in menu bar.
    2. Go to Develop > Enable WebGL.
  • Internet Explorer, version 11 and up

You can also check if your browser is compatible on http://get.webgl.org/

On older browsers, models are displayed with an image-based fallback that gives a 360° view of the model.

Mobile support

WebGL is available on the following mobile operating systems/browsers:

  • Android 4.0 with Firefox beta and Google Chrome
  • Blackberry default browser

For mobile phones that do not support WebGL, including iOS, we use an image-based fallback displaying a 360° view of your model.

It’s not working!

Make sure you have your gfx driver and your browser up to date. If that doesn’t help, try one of the different browsers listed above. If you still can’t get the model to display in 3D, give us a shout at hello@sketchfab.com

There are two ways to observe and manipulate your models: orbit (known as turntable) or first person mode.

Navigation also works with these peripherals:

Where can I check for new features?

We update the website regularly with new features. To be notified of updates: