5 ‐ 3D Models
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First, we find an F-16 model from Thingiverse.com and download.
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Go to https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4909278 and click on 'Download all files'.
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Extract the downloaded folder to access the STL file
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In order to use an STLModels need to be converted to a .glb file type. Some programs that can convert 3D models to the .glb file type include:
- Paint 3D
- Microsoft Paint 3D
- Microsoft Remix 3D
- Blender
- Trimble 3D Warehouse
- SketchUp There are also many website that can be used to perform the conversion. For example, https://fabconvert.com/convert/stl/to/glb
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We will convert an F-16 STL to GLB using Paint 3D as an example.
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Open the model in Paint3D
- Then, save the model. ‘Menu’ -> ‘Save as’ -> ‘3D Model’
- Then, select to save as a .glb file type.
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Once the file is in .glb format, it can be added to the Unreal Engine project.
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Open the Content Browser by pushing 'CTRL + Spacebar'
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Navigate to the All -> Content -> Blueprints Folder
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Drag the .glb file into this folder.
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Once it appears in that folder, double-click on the image of the F-16 in that folder to edit and view the model.
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Select the viewport tab to see the model in the blueprint.
- We can change aspects of the model such as scale, rotation, and location from the details menu on the right side after clicking on the model.
- We can change the appearance of the model by using a material.
- To create a material. Open the content browser with CTRL + Space bar.
- Right click in the window and select ‘Material’ under ‘Create Basic Asset’, then rename.
- Go back to the ‘Materials’ section in our model detail window and select our new material from the drop-down menu.
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Our model now has the appearance of our new material. To edit our material, open the material by opening the Content browser again and double clicking on the material.
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This will open a new window for the material. Right click in the grid and search ‘Constant3Vector’ then select.
- Right click the added node and select ‘Convert to Parameter’. Then connect the node to the skin.
- You can change the color by double clicking the big square in the node and selecting a color and clicking OK.
- Press CTRL + S to save the skin. Our model’s color has now been changed.
Click the Compile button in the top left corner in the blueprint if it is yellow to turn it green.