iBooks Author: Add a 3D object

Add a 3D object

You can add 3D objects that your readers can manipulate. For this widget, you need a COLLADA file with the extension .dae.

Note:   In a completed book, complex 3D objects might not appear as expected. The first-generation iPad is optimized for viewing 3D objects with fewer than 20,000 moderately textured polygons. The second-generation iPad (iPad 2) supports viewing 3D objects in a completed book with up to 50,000 moderately textured polygons.

Add a 3D widget

  1. Choose 3D from the Widgets pop-up menu in the toolbar.

  2. To add a file, do one of the following:

    • Drag a file from the Finder to the widget on the page.

    • In the Widget inspector, click Interaction, click Choose, and choose a COLLADA file with the extension .dae.

  3. To constrain the object’s rotation to horizontal or vertical axes, choose an option from the Object Rotation pop-up menu.

  4. To automatically rotate the object, select “Auto-rotate object when idle.”

You can also drag a 3D file directly to the book page without adding a 3D widget first.

You can’t interact with a 3D object in iBooks Author (it works only in the completed book).

Tip:   When interacting with a 3D object in iBooks, double-tap the object to return it to its starting orientation.
Objects overview
Widgets overview
Add an accessibility description to an object