Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 Posted by Jim Thacker

Sketchfab adds intuitive new annotations feature

Sketchfab has added a new annotations function to its online portfolio service, enabling users to set up custom viewpoints and add simple text descriptions for them, creating an instant online tour of their 3D models.

When a viewer interacts with the model, clicking on an annotation moves immediately to that camera position. You can also move from one annotation to the next using arrow icons at the foot of the viewer.

Intuitive workflow
The new workflow will be familiar to anyone who has used CL3VER 2.0: a similar online portfolio service aimed more specifically at architects.

The implementation in Sketchfab offers fewer customisation options, but it’s quick to set up. You can see the workflow in the video above, and play with an example of an annotated model below.

Model: Hexo+ by Hexo+

Pricing and availability
Sketchfab currently offers free accounts, limited to 50MB per model, and $15/month Pro accounts with unlimited uploads and additional functionality. Free users get five annotations per model; Pro users get up to 20.

Models can be uploaded to the service in a range of standard 3D file formats, and viewed in any modern WebGL-capable browser.

Read more about annotations on the Sketchfab blog