Virtual Staging allows you to enhance a space by adding 3D objects. In this guide, we’ll focus on adding an Avatar into your space and making it both interactive and dynamic - capable of movement and speech.
You can add a 3D Avatar by uploading zipped GLB file or through Sketchfab integration.
How to Add Avatar Using GLB Format?
Open Virtual Staging > choose My Objects > click + Add.
1. Upload your GLB object, compressed as a ZIP file (mind the specified size limitations).
2. Add an Asset Icon (optional) for a preview image to distinguish your object in the tour library.
3. Add an Asset Audio (optional) if you want your object to speak in the tour.
If you want your Avatar have some voiceover, then upload audio mp3 asset TOGETHER with object asset in the related boxes as shown below:
Tip: Set the Lock Scale parameters ranging from 0.5 to 1 while uploading an object. It will help to place an object easily on the space and make its size proportional, since the default size of the object can be too small.
Once the object is uploaded to the tour library, place it on the space. In order to hear the voiceover, click to turn the 'Audio' toggle ON in the object settings:
Note: Such Avatar object will start speaking and moving automatically upon entering the tour, with NO option to pause or stop it manually. If you would like to control the object and its voiceover (pause or stop), then you need to add a trigger for your object.
How To Create a Trigger For Your Avatar?
Go to Media > click + Add to upload an image, e.g. a play button and place this image near your Avatar on the space.
Then open the settings of the Media image > scroll down to find 'Trigger VS Animation' > select your VS object from the list > save. It will make the play button a trigger for your Avatar.
When visitors open the tour, they will see a static Avatar - no animation and no voiceover - until the visitors click on the play button. The play button will trigger the Avatar to move and speak, and clicking it again will pause both the animation and voiceover.
If you'd prefer the Avatar not to appear static when the tour starts, you can add a voiceover differently using the Music action type in the Media settings. The initial steps are the same: firstly go to Virtual Staging to upload VS asset (Avatar) and place it on the space > then go to Media and upload any image (e.g. play button) > in the image settings select 'Music' action type and upload mp3 file.
The Media image should also be placed near the Avatar to serve as a trigger for starting its voiceover. The logic will be the same as with trigger, but in this case the audio will originate from the Media section instead of the Virtual Staging asset. The tour visitors will see the avatar with its animation upon entering the space and after clicking on the image, the Avatar will also start "speaking".
How to Add Avatar Using Sketchfab?
To add a 3D object using a Sketchfab, you need to integrate your Sketchfab account with Treedis. Follow this link for a video guide on how to synch Sketchfab with Treedis platform.
After synchronizing your account, enter the desired object's name into the search bar. In order to make the object animated, it is necessary to turn the Animation toggle on, otherwise, the object will remain static. Once you've selected your preferred object, place it within your space:
Important: Sketchfab objects won't speak on their own, but you can add a voiceover to your model either with the help of Media feature or 3D Scans, check the following two methods below.
1. Open Media > upload any image (e.g. play button) and place the image near the Avatar. In the image settings select 'music' action type > upload mp3 file. When visitors click the image, the audio will play as if the Avatar started speaking.
2. Or use 3D Scans > create a group of sweeps / scans on the mini-map near the Avatar where you want to hear audio > set the 'music' action type for this group > upload mp3 file.
A group of sweeps / scans means a specific location in the tour where you want to hear audio, so logically we need this group placed not far from the Sketchfab object. When visitors approach the selected group of sweeps, the audio on the scans will start playing, giving the impression that the Avatar is speaking.
If you have further questions or need assistance with the settings, please contact us at support@treedis.com