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Jun 15, 2026

AtoM Heratio - 3D Model Viewer

Feature Overview

Component: ahg3DModelPlugin Version: 1.3.0 Category: Digital Asset Management / Viewer Author: The Archive and Heritage Group (Pty) Ltd

Summary

The AtoM Heratio 3D Model Viewer provides GLAM and DAM institutions with comprehensive 3D digital object visualization directly within the AtoM archival platform. Museum objects, archaeological finds, architectural models, and other 3D-scanned items can be uploaded, viewed, annotated, and shared using industry-standard web technologies.

Key Features

Interactive 3D Viewing

  • Browser-based WebGL rendering using Google's model-viewer component
  • Rotate, zoom, and pan with mouse or touch controls
  • Auto-rotation with configurable speed
  • Fullscreen mode for detailed inspection
  • Dark gradient background with customizable colours

Augmented Reality (AR)

  • View 3D models in your physical space via mobile devices
  • iOS support via Apple Quick Look (Safari 12+)
  • Android support via Google Scene Viewer (Chrome 79+)
  • WebXR for immersive browser-based AR

Interactive Hotspot Annotations

  • Place interactive annotation points on 3D model surfaces
  • Five hotspot types: Annotation, Info, Damage, Detail, Link
  • Colour-coded by type for visual distinction
  • Click-to-navigate with popup titles and descriptions
  • Damage hotspots automatically link to condition assessment pages

IIIF 3D Compliance

  • IIIF Presentation API 3.0 manifest generation per model
  • Scene-type items with Model body annotations
  • Hotspots serialized as IIIF PointSelector annotations
  • CORS-enabled manifest endpoints for cross-repository sharing
  • Manifest URL: /iiif/3d/{model_id}/manifest.json

Gaussian Splat Support

  • Neural radiance field (NeRF) captured models
  • .splat and .ksplat format viewing
  • Dedicated GaussianSplats3D viewer integration
  • Automated 6-view rendering via Blender (front, back, left, right, top, detail)
  • Thumbnail gallery with lightbox
  • AI-powered description generation from multi-angle renders

Blender Thumbnail Pipeline

  • Automatic thumbnail and reference image generation
  • Supports GLB, GLTF, OBJ, STL, PLY, FBX (via Blender import)
  • EEVEE renderer with Blender 4.2+ compatibility
  • CLI commands for batch processing

Supported Formats

Format Extension AR Support Browser Viewer
glTF Binary .glb Yes model-viewer
glTF JSON .gltf Yes model-viewer
Apple AR .usdz iOS only model-viewer
Wavefront OBJ .obj Limited Three.js
Stereolithography .stl Limited Three.js
Polygon File .ply No Three.js
Gaussian Splat .splat, .ksplat No GaussianSplats3D

GLB is the recommended format for web viewing — it provides a single file with embedded textures and optimal loading performance.

Architecture

  • Frontend: Google model-viewer (WebXR/AR), Three.js (OBJ/STL fallback), GaussianSplats3D
  • Backend: Laravel Query Builder, Symfony 1.x plugin architecture
  • Database: 8 tables (models, translations, hotspots, textures, settings, manifests, audit log)
  • All libraries served locally — no external CDN dependencies
  • HTTPS required for AR features

Administration

Global Settings

Configurable at Admin > 3D Viewer Settings:

  • Default viewer type (model-viewer or Three.js)
  • AR enable/disable
  • Allowed upload formats and maximum file size
  • Auto-rotate, fullscreen, hotspot, and download toggles
  • Background colour and lighting defaults

Per-Model Settings

Each model can be individually configured:

  • Camera orbit, field of view, and exposure
  • Shadow intensity and softness
  • AR scale mode and placement (floor/wall)
  • Environment and skybox images
  • Primary model and visibility flags

Audit Trail

All actions are logged to a dedicated audit table:

  • Upload, update, delete, view, AR view, download
  • Hotspot add and delete
  • Integration with central ahgAuditTrailPlugin

Integration Points

Plugin Integration
ahgConditionPlugin Damage hotspots auto-link to condition assessments
ahgAuditTrailPlugin Central audit logging
ahgCorePlugin Database initialization, vendor libraries
ahgThemeB5Plugin Voice AI 3D description, viewer embedding
ahgIiifPlugin IIIF manifest ecosystem

Technical Requirements

Requirement Minimum
AtoM 2.9+ or 2.10
PHP 8.1+
MySQL 8.0+
atom-framework Required (Laravel Query Builder)
HTTPS Required for AR features
Blender 4.2+ (for thumbnail generation)
Nginx MIME types model/obj, model/stl, model/vnd.usdz+zip, application/x-ply

CLI Commands

Command Description
php bin/atom 3d:derivatives Generate thumbnail and reference images for 3D models
php bin/atom 3d:multiangle Generate 6-angle renders with optional AI description

Standards Compliance

  • IIIF Presentation API 3.0 — 3D manifest generation with Scene type
  • IIIF 3D Extension — Draft specification for 3D content
  • WebXR — Immersive AR standard
  • Spectrum 5.1 — Condition documentation via damage hotspots

The Archive and Heritage Group (Pty) Ltd https://theahg.co.za