Quick Start
- Open the editor from the homepage or choose a generator from Tools.
- Create a model with a text prompt, upload an image for image-to-3D, or import an existing mesh.
- Select the object in the viewport or scene list, then use the toolbar to move, rotate, scale, simplify, paint, or sculpt.
- Use export when the mesh is ready. GLB is the best default for web and product previews; STL is useful for print workflows.
/help#quick-start.Select and Transform
Click an object in the viewport to select it. Shift or Ctrl click adds to the selection, and Alt click cycles through overlapping objects.
With an object selected, drag the on-screen gizmo handles to move, rotate, or scale directly. Use the toolbar, or Shift + G/R/S, to switch the gizmo between move, rotate, and scale, and to toggle world or local space.
Press G to grab/move or R to rotate the selection, then move the mouse. While transforming, press X, Y, or Z to lock to an axis, or type a number for a precise amount. Click or Enter confirms, Esc cancels.
Generation
SimplexGen supports text-to-3D, image-to-3D, AI image generation, texture generation, material maps, relighting, and remeshing workflows.
- Use detailed prompts with shape, style, materials, and intended use.
- For products, include front/back/side details and material constraints.
- For image-to-3D, use centered images with clear object silhouettes.
- Generated jobs can be queued; account credits and API keys are managed in Account.
Mesh Tools
Mesh tools help make generated or uploaded geometry usable for editing, rendering, and export.
Reduce triangle count while preserving the visible shape and repaired topology where possible.
Add mesh density before sculpting or deformation when a model needs smoother local detail.
Fix holes, duplicate vertices, degenerate faces, and common non-manifold issues.
Generate UVs and material maps for painting, previewing, and export workflows.
Paint and Sculpt
Texture painting edits color and material maps. Sculpting and deformation change geometry. Use undo to step back through brush strokes and transformations.
- Brush size controls the affected surface area.
- Auto-subdivision can add detail during deformation when the mesh is too coarse.
- Viewport movement resumes as soon as the active brush stroke or transform drag ends.
Export
Export formats depend on where the model will be used.
- GLB: compact web-friendly format with geometry, materials, and textures.
- OBJ: broad compatibility for DCC tools and asset pipelines.
- STL: geometry-only format commonly used for 3D printing.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Press ? in the editor to open the shortcut list at any time, or use Help → Keyboard Shortcuts. Shortcuts are ignored while typing in a text field. On macOS use ⌘ wherever Ctrl is listed.
Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Left drag / wheel / right drag | Orbit, zoom, and pan the camera. |
| WASD | Fly forward / left / back / right. |
| Q / E | Move the camera down or up. |
| Shift / Ctrl | Hold while flying for faster or slower movement. |
| [ / ] | Decrease or increase flythrough speed. |
| F | Frame the selection, or the whole scene when nothing is selected. |
| Ctrl + Space | Center the camera on the model. |
| Alt + F / E / V / T / H / X | Open the File, Edit, View, Tools, Help, or Export menu. |
| ? | Show this shortcut list in the editor. |
Select and Transform
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Click | Select object. Shift/Ctrl adds, Alt cycles overlapping. |
| V | Return to select mode. |
| Shift + G / R / S | Switch the gizmo to move, rotate, or scale. |
| G / R | Grab/move or rotate the selection with the mouse. |
| X / Y / Z | Lock the active transform to an axis, or type a number for a precise amount. |
| Enter / Esc | Confirm or cancel the active transform. |
| Delete | Delete the selected object. |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Shift + Z | Undo / redo. |
Mesh, View, and Paint
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 | Quick simplify, subdivide, smooth, or smart process. |
| Ctrl + P | Toggle texture paint. |
| Ctrl + Q | Toggle wireframe. |
| Ctrl + G / Ctrl + B | Toggle the grid or the bounding box. |
| Tab | Cycle the preview material. |
| Ctrl + T | Load the test teapot. |
File and Export
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + S | Save the project as JSON. |
| Ctrl + O | Open a project file. |
| Ctrl + Shift + O | Import a 3D model. |
| Ctrl + E | Export as OBJ. |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Export as GLB. |
Troubleshooting
Help link opens a missing page
Use /help#quick-start. The server should return this page and the browser will scroll to the Quick Start section.
Movement does not respond
Click inside the viewport first. If you are painting, sculpting, deforming, or dragging a transform gizmo, finish that action and movement will resume.
A generated model looks too dense or too rough
Try simplify for dense meshes, subdivide before sculpting coarse meshes, and repair before export if topology warnings appear.
Exports are missing textures
Prefer GLB for textured models. OBJ and STL workflows may require separate texture or material files depending on the target app.