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OBJ Files and Textures

Textured OBJ meshes usually use multiple linked files:

• Geometry: .obj
• Materials: .mtl
• Textures: .png, .jpg, or similar image files

With the OBJ importer, you select only the .obj file during import. If the referenced .mtl and texture files are already uploaded to the same space, LiquidEarth can use them, and the mesh will import with its texture. If the material or texture files are missing, the OBJ will still import, but it will appear without texture.

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Quick Guide

Accessing the Import Wizard

To open the Data Import Wizard, click the icon labeled Import that appears when you hover over the list entry Add Content to [space name].

Click here to launch the Data Import Wizard

Click here to launch the Data Import Wizard.

Importing an OBJ file

After opening the Data Import Wizard, select Surfaces in the left sidebar and then click OBJ in the main area. You can then choose files that are already uploaded to your space or upload them directly from your device. Before importing, select the appropriate transformation from the dropdown, then click Import in the bottom-left corner.

The current OBJ staging screen and transformation options.

Step-by-Step: Import an OBJ File

1. Open the Target Space
   • Load an Existing (Project) Space or Create a New (Project) Space for the surface data.
2. Open the Import Wizard
   • In the Explorer, hover over the last entry titled Add Content to, followed by the name of your space. Click the icon labeled Import to start the Data Import Wizard.
   • In the Data Import Wizard, select Surfaces in the left sidebar and then click OBJ in the main area.

Click here to launch the Data Import Wizard

Click here to launch the Data Import Wizard.

Select Surfaces (1) in the sidebar and then OBJ (2) in the main area.

1. Select the OBJ File

   You now have two options to continue the import process:

   

   Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 09.53.31.png

   a) Choose from workspace

   Clicking this button opens a new window that displays the files uploaded to this space, filtered by file type (in this case .obj). Select one or more files you want to import and click Confirm. The selected files will then appear as a list in the main window.

   

   Filtered view of all valid files uploaded in the current space.

   Filtered view of all valid files uploaded in the current space.

   b) Upload from device

   Selecting this option opens your operating system's file browser. Navigate to the files you want to import and confirm your selection. The selected files will then appear as a list in the main window. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the files directly into the app.

   

   Staging area showing the files selected for import. The delete button on the right removes a file from this view.

   Staging area showing the files selected for import. The delete button on the right removes a file from this view.

2. Configure Import Options

   Transformation:

   Before importing, check the transformation setting for the OBJ mesh. Use Original if the mesh already has the correct orientation. For models exported from a right-handed, Z-up coordinate system, choose Right Handed Z Up Y Forward or Right Handed Z Up Y Backward, depending on the model's forward direction.

   

   The current OBJ transformation options.

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   LiquidEarth uses a left-handed coordinate system with Y up. Other 3D software may use different reference systems. After importing, verify that your data is pointing the right way up and is not mirrored along the X axis.

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3. Start the Import

   • Click Import.

   • A progress bar appears below the Activity Feed while LiquidEarth uploads or processes the file.

   • After the import has finished, you will be prompted to recalculate the extent of your space so that the content fits properly.

     

     Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 09.59.47.png