Blink 3D Builder
Getting Started Guide

Introduction
This guide will walk you through the steps to create a simple, working, immersive, 3D environment and to launch it in a web browser such as Microsoft IE.  To complete these steps, you will first need to install the Blink 3D Builder and the inDuality IE plug-in.

Creating a New Project

1.  Launch the Blink3D Builder Application from your desktop and the following window will appear:

Note:  all the windows within the Blink 3D Builder main menu are configurable and can be moved or sized to meet your requirements.

2. Open the File menu, select New, Project.  Then, the New Project Wizard will be launched:

3. Enter a project name you have not used before.  Use a new Directory to store your projects such as the one previously created above.  Do NOT save your project into the Standard Blink 3D directories where the application is installed.

4. For this exercise, the project is named “firstproject” (no extension is required)
Use the browse feature to create a new folder if you have not done so already.
Once you have entered the required information, click on Next> to continue.

Note:  The application will create a project folder in the chosen directory for each new project you create as shown below.

5. The next part of the Wizard allows you to control the rendering options. 
For this exercise, you may accept the default values.  Each one has drop down lists and help text for future reference.  Click Next> to continue.

6. The next part of the Wizard allows you to control shadowing options. 
For this exercise, you may accept the default values. Click Next> to continue.

7. The next part of the Wizard allows you to control which behaviors are to be added automatically.  For this exercise, you may accept the default values. Click Finish to see the new project within the Blink 3D Builder Application.

8. The new project environment is displayed in the central window.  Click within that window to make it active and change your perspective within it.  The left and right side windows will allow you to further customize the environment by adding and changing objects.

9. Your first addition to this environment will be a Medium Cube which is found in the Primitives Model Category.

10. Double click to see the list of available Primitives and double click on Cube to see the available Cubes.  For this exercise, add the CubeMediumSM to your new project by double clicking on it.  Note:  Based on your position at the time of adding, the object may be placed so close you cannot see it without changing your perspective (see below). 

11. Clicking in the environment will make it active.  Use your down arrow to adjust your position relative to the new model you have added.

12.  Now you can view your cube, select the box with 3 dots next to the default material to bring up a browser of possible materials to use for your cube surface.

 

13. Select any material in one of the many categories, select apply and done when finished. The selected material is shown.

14. Now, you can choose to change the appearance of the ground by changing the material name that was used as a default in the property browser as shown below.

15. Again, use the box in the material name to bring up a selection of materials in a browser.

16. Select a Material to see the thumbnail, select apply and select done when finished.

Saving and Viewing

1. Save and publish your Blink3D Environment so you can view it on a web browser and share it with others who have access to your web site.

2. From the File Menu (or from the toolbar), select Save.  Then, again from the File menu, select Publish.  This will start the Publishing Wizard.

3. This step controls the Type and location of the publishing.  The Publish directory will be defaulted based on the project name and location.  For this exercise, accept the default values.  Click Next> to continue.

4. The next step in the Publishing Wizard allows you to control the UI for your published environment’s web UI.  For this exercise, accept the defaults and click Next> to continue.

6. The next step in the Publishing Wizard allows you to control licensing options.  For this exercise, accept the defaults (none) and click Next> to continue.

7. The next step in the Publishing Wizard allows you to specify publisher information.  For this exercise, accept the defaults (none) and click Next> to continue.

8. The next step in the Publishing Wizard allows you to control launch options.  For this exercise, change the Launch option to Prompt.  Change the Application option to Web Browser – Internet Explorer as shown above. 

Note:  This window means that a Publish folder has been created and updated within your project folder which will allow the environment to be viewed on the web.

9. Due to the settings chosen in the last step, this window is displayed with 2 options.  Select Yes to view your published environment or No to return to the project.

Note:  the Blink 3D Plugin must be installed to complete this session.  If not, you will be prompted to install it at no charge.

Note:  Later, if you wish to display a previously published environment without opening the Blink 3D Builder, please continue with the following section.

1. Launch IE and select Browse, Local Disk (C:)

2.  Select the Blink 3D Builder Project Folder.

3.  Select the “firstproject” folder created earlier.

4.  Select the Publish folder.

5.  Open with the Browser.