SparkFun Goes 3D
Introducing Embedded 3D Models of SparkFun products!
Some of our more observant customers may have noticed that some of our product pages look a little different. Click on this 3D button in the product images to see what I am talking about.
We've completely revamped our 3D Model repository and built a model viewer into the product pages. We want to thank the past contributors for their hard work. Unfortunately, we ended up having to build up from scratch, but now you can contribute directly to our product pages!
Our models come in varying levels of detail such as the Actobotics catalog, which is mostly just displaying geometry. The SparkFun Analog/Digital MUX Breakout displays a fully textured board and detailed IC. We do make mistakes but you'll find that we've been careful to ensure all important dimensions are accurate. If you find any problems please let us know via email or create an issue on the github repository.
Enclosures (such as the SparkFun Project Case) will be modeled as separate pieces so that they can be moved around or objects placed inside of them with the 
SFE Product For Scale feature. Hold the shift key while spawning objects to disable the toggling feature.
Controls might seem a little strange for people coming from sketchup. Use the Left Mouse Button to rotate the view, Right Mouse Button to pan and Middle Mouse Button to zoom.
You can 
move or 
rotate objects by clicking (but do not drag) on an object while having one of these tools activated.
Our plan is to place easy to use links in the product description that will go directly to an archived model type (step, iges, stl or others if we have them) so that people do not have to download the entire Github repository.
We're using a javascript renderer, threejs -- the same one that Github uses. Threejs relies on a new web technology called WebGL. Basically, WebGL allows developers to access GPU resources from within a webpage. Sometimes browsers, hardware or even driver issues can cause WebGL to fail. If you have any issues try visiting webgl.org for more information.
If the 3d features prove to be popular, we are considering making additional tools. Maybe a measurement tool or even simple assembly or mating capabilities. Do you have any ideas?
More products to check out:
