Getting Started: Create a 3D Product Configurator

This page helps you set up a simple yet complete product configurator. You’ll go from a blank project to an embedded, interactive storefront experience. Follow these steps to learn each part, or skip to the area you need.

Create a New Configurator

1. Open the Aircada configurator panel in your admin dashboard.
2. Click Create New Project.
3. Give your project a clear name. Example: “T-shirt Configurator”.
4. Select the Shopify product you want to connect.
   (If your product isn’t created yet, set it up first in Shopify.)
5. Pick what should happen after each order—redirect or standard Shopify checkout.
6. Click Create Configurator to enter the studio.

Add Your Model to the Scene

1. In the left Assets panel, click Upload and select your 3D model file (.glb or .gltf).
2. After upload, drag your model onto the scene.
3. Resize and move your model to fit well within the camera’s view.
4. Use the camera preview to check your product appearance.

Adjust Model Materials

1. Select your model.
2. Go to the Material tab on the left.
3. Remove or disable any old materials to start clean.
4. Set Roughness lower for a smoother look. Adjust other properties as needed.
5. Adjust color and brightness to match your real product.

Make the Model Rotate

• Select the model, open the Geometry or Transform settings.
• Find Rotation, click the connector or quick-tag icon.
• Map pointer (mouse/touch) movement to rotation on the Y-axis (left‑right).
• Test drag response using the interactive viewport. Adjust sensitivity and smoothness if needed.

Make Your Model Customizable

Add Color Options

1. Select the t-shirt’s material in the Materials tab.
2. Find the Color property and Quick Tag it (right-click).
3. Switch to the configurator interface (“Creator” or “Configurator” tab).
4. Add an Option Selector component.
5. Set buttons or swatches for each shirt color you want to offer.
6. Link each selector button to a different color value.
7. Label the option group Shirt Color for clarity.

Let Users Upload Their Own Logo

1. Select the t-shirt and go to its Material tab.
2. Add a Sticker (or “Decal”) effect. Upload a default logo to test.
3. Set the sticker’s scale and position so it appears on the shirt’s chest.
4. Quick Tag the logo image and scale properties.
5. Return to the configurator tab. Add a Media Upload option for users to upload their logo.
6. Add a slider or input for logo size, linked to the sticker scale.
7. Test configuration to confirm logo changes appear immediately.

Add More Product Options

• Add more color options or additional properties as needed.
• Set clear labels for each group (e.g. Color, Logo, Logo Size).
• Check that each selector updates the 3D view as you expect.

Set Base Price and Order Settings

• Open the “Settings” panel for your configurator project.
• Adjust the base price, minimum/maximum order quantity, and label for the submit button.
• Save settings—these show up directly in the Shopify product view.

Add the Aircada Configurator App Block to Your Storefront

1. Click Publish to save your configurator.
2. Go to your Shopify theme editor (“Customize” from Online Store).
3. Create a new product template (e.g. “T-shirt Tutorial”).
4. Add a new Apps section, then select Product Configurator as a block.
5. Link your configurator to the target product.
6. Preview the product page to ensure your configurator loads and works as expected.
7. Assign your new template to the product in Shopify so customers see the 3D configurator on the product page.

Preview the Full Flow

• Visit the product page as a customer.
• Try all color, logo, and size options for the shirt.
• Use the configurator’s submit or add-to-cart flow to trigger checkout.
• Check that the configuration summary and uploaded files appear in the order.

Viewing Custom Orders

1. Open Orders in your Shopify admin.
2. Find the related order and view the line item details.
3. Click the logo or snapshot links to download files for printing or review.
4. Verify all order info before production.