How to Export 3D Models from Unreal Engine for SYKY’s Platform

Exporting your 3D models from Unreal Engine in the right format ensures that your designs perform optimally on SYKY’s web viewer. This guide walks you through exporting Unreal Engine content to the GLTF (.gltf or .glb) format, which is compatible with our platform.

Step 1: Prepare Your Project for Export

Before exporting, ensure your project is set up correctly to avoid issues in the output file.

• Optimize materials and textures: Use materials and textures that Unreal Engine can properly convert to the GLTF format.

• Simplify your scene: Remove any unused objects to reduce the complexity and file size.

• Light baking (optional but recommended): Bake lighting to maintain consistency in model appearance.

Step 2: Enable the GLTF Export Plugin

If you haven't enabled the GLTF Exporter plugin in Unreal Engine, follow these steps:

1. Open Unreal Engine.

2. Go to Edit > Plugins.

3. In the search bar, type “GLTF Exporter.”

4. Enable the plugin by checking the box.

5. Restart Unreal Engine to apply the changes.

Step 3: Exporting the Model

Once the plugin is enabled, you can export your model.

1. Select the object or scene you want to export.

2. Navigate to File > Export > GLTF.

3. Choose between exporting as .gltf (separate binary) or .glb (binary-packed format). SYKY supports both formats, but .glb is recommended for simpler file management.

4. Configure the export settings:

   • Mesh Options: Ensure “Export Mesh” is enabled.

   • Material Options: Enable “Export Materials” to include textures.

   • Animation Options (optional): If your model includes animation, enable “Export Animations.”

   • Apply Transform: Check this to ensure your model's transformations (scale, rotation, position) are applied during export.

5. Click Export and choose the file destination.

Step 4: Verify the Export

After exporting, it’s important to verify that the model meets SYKY’s requirements.

• Preview the model: Use a GLTF viewer (such as gltf-viewer.donmccurdy.com) to check how the model appears outside of Unreal Engine.

• File size: Ensure the file size is optimized for web performance. Large files can affect loading times and performance.

• Check for artifacts: Look for any missing textures, material errors, or visual artifacts.

Step 5: Upload to SYKY’s Platform

Once verified, you can upload your GLTF file to SYKY’s platform.

1. Navigate to the Studio

2. Select Submit new piece

3. In the additional files section upload your .gltf or .glb file under 3D file for online 3D viewer

4. Complete the rest of the form and submit your piece for review.

Tips for Optimizing Your Export

• Reduce polygon count: Lower poly counts improve loading speed and performance.

• Use compressed textures: Compressing textures can significantly reduce file size.

• Avoid complex shaders: Web viewers may not support advanced Unreal Engine shaders.

By following these steps, you can ensure your 3D models are exported correctly and look great on SYKY’s platform. For more tips on optimizing 3D models for the web, check out our Optimizing 3D Models for SYKY’s Web Viewer guide.