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3D & STL Configuration

The TabletopForge theme is uniquely optimized for digital hobbyists and modern print-on-demand stores. It supports high-fidelity 3D interactive previewers and dual checkout paths for selling both physical resin miniatures and digital STL files.

1. Embedding 3D Orbit Viewers​

TabletopForge features integrated 3D inspection viewers on product grids, collection cards, and main product showcase galleries. This allows customers to inspect miniatures in 3D (pan, zoom, and rotate) before making a purchase.

Supported File Formats​

  • Always use .glb (GL Transmission Format Binary) packaging for 3D model uploads. This format is optimized for web browser performance and native Shopify rendering.
  • Ensure texture files are embedded directly in the .glb container. Keep model polycounts optimized (ideally under 50k polygons) to maintain fast mobile page loading speeds.

Step-by-Step Upload Process​

To embed an interactive 3D model onto a product page:

  1. Log in to your Shopify Admin dashboard.
  2. Go to Content > Files.
  3. Click Upload files and select your optimized .glb model. Copy the asset URL if needed (though Shopify handles media binding automatically).
  4. Go to Products and select the product you wish to configure.
  5. In the Media section, drag-and-drop the uploaded .glb file or click Add to upload it directly.
  6. TabletopForge will detect the 3D asset and automatically inject the Interactive 3D Orbit Viewer into the product media gallery interface.

2. Selling Digital STL vs. Physical Resin​

TabletopForge provides a built-in split-checkout configuration that allows a single product listing to offer both a physical pre-printed resin model and a downloadable digital STL model.

Activation Logic (The stl-available Tag)​

If a product contains the tag stl-available, the product page layout splits the default single add-to-cart button into two distinct call-to-actions:

tip
  • ADD PHYSICAL RESIN: Adds the physical cured resin miniature model to the customer's cart, routed through standard fulfillment channels.
  • ACQUIRE DIGITAL STL: Routes the checkout pipeline to deliver the STL file (typically integrated with digital download apps like Shopify's Digital Downloads or third-party file-delivery plugins).

Configuration Checklist​

  1. Open your target product in the Shopify Admin panel.
  2. Scroll to the Tags section in the right sidebar.
  3. Add the tag stl-available to the product.
  4. Set up your digital fulfillment logic (using digital delivery apps linked to the digital variant of the product).
  5. Save the product. The front-end display will automatically toggle to the dual button structure:
+-------------------------------------------------+
|               ADD PHYSICAL RESIN                |
+-------------------------------------------------+
|               ACQUIRE DIGITAL STL               |
+-------------------------------------------------+
  • ADD PHYSICAL RESIN corresponds to the main physical product variant.
  • ACQUIRE DIGITAL STL maps to the digital variant or triggers a digital delivery workflow.
  • The system status displays System Online - Viewing Diagnostic Data alongside the model specifications in the layout.