Tutorial: Adding 3D Images to Storyline 360
3D images are a great way to add interactivity to your eLearning module. Learners can rotate and study objects to get a closer look. This tool provides access to objects that learners might not otherwise have. I discussed some of the benefits and limitations of adding 3D images to Storyline in this blog post.
While Storyline 360 currently does not support adding 3D images to a project, there are a few workarounds. I’ll walk through one of them for you in this post.
Choose a 3D Model
Video: 0:00-0:37
Start your project by finding a 3D model to use. You can make your own or use one already made. For this tutorial, I used one in the 3D library in PowerPoint. Click on Insert, 3D Model, Stock 3D Model. Then choose one and click Insert. Resize the model if needed.
2. Rotate Model & Save Images
Video: 0:37-1:43
In order to add the model to Storyline, you need to save the images that you want to use. Keep in mind that every image you save will be used in the 3D rotation animation in Storyline. To maximize the interaction and maintain the integrity of the animation, the images should be at equal degrees of rotation. The “Format 3D Model” is the best way to ensure that each rotation of the model is the same. As you rotate the model, right click the image and save. Keep going until you have captured all of the images you want to include in your Storyline project (remember to rotate in each plane of motion if desired).
3. Add Images & Change States in Storyline
Video: 1:43-2:37
Now that you have all of your images saved, it’s time to add them to your Storyline project. You will insert the first image onto the slide and then add the rest of the images as states to that image. In Storyline, click Insert, Picture, Picture from File. Insert the image you want to be the main image in your animation. Resize and position the image where you want it on the slide.
To modify the states of the image, click on the image, then States. Click Edit States then the icon that looks like a picture (Insert Pictures as States). This lets you add each picture as a state automatically instead of manually. Select the rest of the images (note: do not select your main image) and click open. You can check the animation by hovering over each state.
4. Align States
Video: 2:37-3:56
You’ll notice that when you hover over each state, it jumps around a little bit instead of rotating around the center. To fix this, we need to adjust each state to the center of the main image. I like to insert a straight line in the center of the main image as a guideline to help me adjust the states. Once inserted, click on Edit States then State 1 and use your mouse or arrow keys to align each state image to the center line. Keep going through each state until all images are aligned with the center of the main image. This step can feel mundane but is key to achieving a realistic animation.
5. Add Slider or Dial & Create Triggers
Video: 3:56-6:18
Once you have your states inserted and aligned, double check the animation. When you hover over them and move your mouse quickly across them, it should look like the 3D animation you want to create. If not, jump back to steps 2-4 and determine where you need to make adjustments. If everything looks good, you’re ready to add your slider or dial and create triggers so that your learners can adjust and interact with the model.
Start by choosing between a dial or slider. Here, I’ve added a slider. In this project, I used a dial. In Storyline, click on Insert then slider. Click on the style of slider you want to use, then resize and align it. Once you have your slider in place, you need to customize the design to align with the number of states on the image. The slider will start at 0 (your main image) and end at your final state. Count the number of states you have, excluding the “normal” and enter that number in the “End” area of the design toolbar. In this example, I have 13 states plus the normal image, so I want the slider to end at 13.
Next, we need to create triggers to connect the slider to the image and states. In the Triggers area, click the New icon. This will open a window where you can customize your first trigger. The goal is to tell Storyline to change the image to “normal”, or the main image when the slider is equal to 0, or the starting point.
The goal is to tell Storyline to change the image to “normal”, or the main image when the slider is equal to 0, or the starting point.
Now you need to create triggers for the remaining values of your slider. In this case, I have 13 additional triggers to add. You can click the New icon and follow the same steps and adjust the State and Condition. You can also press copy and paste in the Triggers area and modify from there (this is the way I did it in the video). Continue to go down the line and adjust the States and Conditions. For example, my first state was Picture 3 and the Condition was when the slider was equal to 1. You can use the drop down menu and text box to adjust the values until you have completed a trigger for each value of your slider and each state for your image.
6. Preview & Check Animation
Video: 6:18-7:19
The final step of this process to to preview and check your animation. In the main tool bar, click Preview and This Slide. Slide the slider back and forth to test the animation. As you can see in this example, the learner can interact with and move the flamingo around and it feels as if they are manipulating a 3D model.
You now have all of the tools and knowledge to add 3D models to your Storyline projects and bring more interaction to your learners! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below or connect with me through email or LinkedIn. I would be more than happy to help troubleshoot!