3D Models in PowerPoint: How to Easily Add 3D Objects to Your Slides

3D models in PowerPoint on the screen

Did you know you can make stunning presentations by using 3D Models in PowerPoint?

We will demonstrate how you can quickly transform your slides into immersive experiences by utilizing pre-made 3D objects directly within PowerPoint and by sourcing unique ones from the vast digital landscape.

But that’s not all! Brace yourself as we reveal the astonishing power of AI, which empowers you to craft your customized 3D objects. Get ready to be amazed!

Here are the three ways you can add 3D objects to your PowerPoint presentations!

1 Insert Stock 3D Models (PowerPoint)

The first approach involves utilizing the built-in stock 3D models, conveniently accessible through the Insert tab. By selecting from various categories or conducting a search, you can effortlessly insert your desired model into your slide, adding depth and visual appeal to your presentation.

How to Insert 3D Models in PowerPoint

First, click on the Insert tab at the top. Right in the center, there is a category called Illustrations. Just above, there is an option called 3D Models. Click on the dropdown.

How to Insert a 3D model in PowerPoint

There is a choice to insert a 3D model from your device but focus on the option that says Stock 3D Models for now. These are ready-made 3D models that come bundled with PowerPoint. Clicking on it takes you to the Stock 3D Models library, where you will find a plethora of exciting options to explore!

Notice that some categories feature a running person icon at the top. Selecting one of these categories unveils models with advanced animations attached to them. Keep that in mind if you want to test them out.

Take your time to explore a wide range of options and find a 3D model that captivates your attention. Once you have found the one, select it, and click the Insert button. Your chosen 3D model will seamlessly integrate into your slide, instantly elevating your presentation!

A young man working on a 3D model on his computer.
Image by Canva

Editing 3D Objects

Let’s say you inserted a 3D model of a donut onto your PowerPoint slide. When you click on the donut and hover over its center, notice a change in the mouse icon. By pressing and moving the mouse, you can adjust the 3D orientation of the object. Once you release it, an icon appears that allows you to twist it around to any desired position.

At the top, a new tab called 3D Model emerges. On the left-hand side, there are various preset views for the 3D model. Expanding this category reveals numerous preset views. On the right-hand side, you have control over the layering of the object. Bring it forward or send it backward, and even adjust alignment.

Clicking on the Accessibility icon opens up a pane on the right-hand side, providing even more control over the appearance of the 3D model. Fine-tune rotation or add a shadow to achieve the desired look!

3D PowerPoint Animations

One of the fantastic features of inserting a 3D model into PowerPoint is the ability to apply animations to your object. Let’s head over to the top and click on the Animations tab to explore the various animations at your disposal. Within the dropdown menu, you will find a dedicated category for 3D animations.

For instance, you can select “Arrive” to witness the donut slowly rotating or arriving on the slide. Alternatively, try the “Turntable” animation for a gentle rotation or “Swing” for a back-and-forth motion. If you prefer something more dynamic, give “Jump and Turn” a try. You can even further customize the animation by clicking on Effect Options. Here, you can modify the animation to your liking, such as opting for a flip motion.

Morph

Another remarkable method of animating objects in PowerPoint is through transitions. By duplicating a slide, you create an opportunity to employ transitions between the two slides. Let’s say we have your donut on the first slide. Pressing Ctrl+D on the keyboard duplicates the slide, providing an identical copy. On the second slide, you can make adjustments to the donut, such as enlarging it or changing its orientation.

Now, click on the Transitions tab, and you will see a transition called “Morph.” Selecting this transition causes the donut to morph from its original position on the first slide to its modified position on the second slide.

By clicking on the Preview option, you can get a glimpse of how this animation appears. Morph empowers you to create visually stunning and complex animations effortlessly.

How to Make 3D Presentation

Now that you are well-versed in the fundamentals of 3D animations and transitions, let’s bring everything together and create a visually striking presentation. Within PowerPoint, imagine having a slide that showcases the range of products offered by the “Donut Company”. To add depth and appeal, you can insert various 3D shapes onto the slide which are readily available in PowerPoint’s stock library.

3D PowerPoint Presentation
Image by Canva

For the next slide, perhaps you would like to provide a detailed overview of each product. Begin by inserting a rectangular shape and customizing it with a slanted orientation, a color sampled from the donut, and a dark gradient fill. Remove the shape outline for a cleaner look. With this slide prepared, duplicate it by pressing Ctrl+D, and modify the second duplicate accordingly. Resize and rotate the 3D objects, position them on the slide, and align them with the text and other visuals. Finally, add descriptive text.

To enhance the overall presentation, select the appropriate slide on the left-hand side, navigate to the Transitions tab, and apply the Morph transition. Witness the captivating animation as it seamlessly transforms and adjusts the 3D shapes. To experience the full impact, enter the full-screen mode by pressing Shift+F5.

2 Find More 3D objects on External Websites

Sketchfab

Access sketchfab.com, a popular website that offers a wide range of 3D models. Browse through different categories or use the search function to find specific models. You will find a mix of free and paid models on the site. Once you find a model you like, download it in a compatible format like FBX, and insert it directly into PowerPoint.

Paint 3D

Microsoft’s Paint 3D is an easy-to-use app that empowers you to create and modify your own 3D objects. Dive into the world of customization by designing unique models suited to your presentation needs. Paint 3D offers tutorials to guide you through the process of creating your 3D objects, ready to be inserted into PowerPoint.

3 Use OpenAI’s Shap-e: Generate 3D Objects From Text

OpenAI’s Shap-e is an impressive AI model that generates 3D objects based on text prompts. This impressive technology is available for free on GitHub, enabling users to effortlessly run it on their computers, no API key or internet connection needed. The true marvel of Shap-e lies in its versatility, as the generated 3D objects can be utilized in software like Microsoft Paint 3D and even converted to STL files for 3D printing!

Generate your own 3D models by providing a description, and witness the AI in action as it creates a corresponding 3D representation. While the generated models may not be flawless, they demonstrate the exciting capabilities of AI technology.

Graphic illustration of a 3D model

How To Set Up and Use Shap-e Model

To access Shap-E, go to OpenAI Shap-e on GitHub, and click on the link in the top right-hand corner. Follow the provided link to a Google Colab Notebook where you can run the code to generate your desired 3D objects based on text prompts.

To use OpenAI’s Shap-e text to 3D object feature, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “Runtime” option located at the top. Then, change the runtime type and ensure that you choose the GPU option. Graphics cards are more efficient for running AI models. Click “Save” to apply the changes.
  2. Clone the GitHub project. Locate the Play icon associated with this step and click on it. Then click on the “Run” button. Once the process is complete, you will see a green check mark on the left-hand side, indicating that this step has finished successfully.
  3. Change the directory. This action ensures that the subsequent steps are executed in the correct directory. Click “Play” to confirm.
  4. Install Shap-e by clicking the Play icon associated with this step. The installation process will take place in the cloud, ensuring that it does not affect your local computer. Wait for the installation to complete.
  5. Import the necessary machine learning libraries. Click on the Play icon to initiate the import process.
  6. Enable the use of the GPU or graphics card by clicking the Play icon for this step.
  7. Load the required models by clicking the Play icon. This step may take some time.
  8. Define the batch size for generating the 3D models. Specify the number of models you want to generate. For instance, if you prefer generating only one model for faster processing, set the batch size to one. Enter your desired prompt or text, such as “donut,” and press “Play” to proceed.
  9. Render the 3D object by clicking “Run.” You will see the resulting donut as a GIF or animated image.
  10. Export the 3D model from Google Colab so you can use it in PowerPoint. Click “Run” to execute this step. On the left-hand side, click on the Files icon to access the exported files. Locate the file and click the ellipsis (three dots) and download the file.
  11. After downloading the file, you can drag and drop it directly into PowerPoint to insert your new 3D model!

3D Models: Conclusion

Integrating 3D shapes and animations into PowerPoint presentations allows for captivating and immersive visual storytelling. Whether you decide to utilize stock shapes, explore external sources for 3D models, or generate your own objects, the possibilities are endless.

The addition of OpenAI’s Shap-E technology takes it to another level by enabling the generation of 3D models from text prompts.

So why wait? Try using 3D models in PowerPoint today! Elevate your presentations to new heights of impact and engagement. Leave a lasting impression on your audience with the power of 3D storytelling!

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