Importing Free 3D Models from Online Libraries
Don't have a model yet? Browse Online searches free 3D models from Poly Haven, Sketchfab and the Smithsonian and imports the one you pick straight into your Assets — no downloading and re-uploading. Every result shows its license before you import, and every import gets a Configurator Readiness score so you know how well it will work in a configurator.
The libraries
| Library | What you find | License | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poly Haven | High-quality furniture, props and decor | CC0 — free for any use, credit not required | None |
| Sketchfab | A very large community library | CC0 and Creative Commons licenses (shown per model) | Searching: none. Importing: connect your own free Sketchfab account once |
| Smithsonian Open Access | Museum objects and scans | CC0 | None |
Step 1 — Open Browse Online and search
- 1Go to Dashboard > Assets and open the 3D Models tab.
- 2Click Browse Online (on a phone the button reads Browse), or open Add 3D and choose Browse Online.
- 3Type what you need, for example "chair", "table lamp" or "vase". Results appear as you type.
- 4Pick a source (All sources, Poly Haven, Sketchfab or Smithsonian) and narrow the results with Category, License, Format and Polygon count.
- 5Scroll to load more. Under the filters, each library shows how many results it found. If one library is temporarily unavailable, the others still show their results.
Step 2 — Review the license
Click a model to open its details: a preview, the creator, the license, the formats available, the polygon count, the file size and a link to the model's page on the library's website. The license panel says, in plain words, what you may do with the model.
| License | Can I import it? | What you must do |
|---|---|---|
| CC0 / public domain | Yes, in one click | Nothing — credit is appreciated but not required. |
| CC BY (Attribution) | Yes, in one click | Credit the creator wherever you publish the model. |
| CC BY-SA / CC BY-ND | Yes, after you tick "I understand and accept these license terms" | Credit the creator. BY-SA: a modified version you share must use the same license. BY-ND: you may not share modified versions. |
| NonCommercial, Editorial or a store license | No — view only | These licenses don't allow use in a commercial configurator. |
Step 3 — Import
- 1Click Import to Simplio3D.
- 2Watch the progress: downloading, converting to GLB when needed, checking the model, and saving it to your assets. Most imports finish in a few seconds.
- 3You can go back to the results, keep browsing or even close the window while it runs — the import continues. Up to 3 imports can run at the same time; a result card shows its progress, then an Imported badge.
- 4When it says In your 3D assets, click Open asset.
Step 4 — Inspect the model
Open the imported asset's preview in Assets. Under the model you'll see where it came from, its license and creator, a Copy credit button, and its Configurator readiness score.
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ready (80% and above) | Good to configure: separate, named parts, materials and UVs in place. |
| Needs work (50–79%) | Usable, but something will limit you — read the checks (for example missing UVs mean textures won't map). |
| Not ready (below 50%) | Likely to cause trouble in a configurator. Consider another model. |
The checks cover separate parts, part names, materials, UVs, size and scale, the pivot point, the triangle count and the file size. Separate parts matter most: option blocks change materials and visibility by part, so a model that is one single merged mesh can only be changed as a whole.
Step 5 — Use it in a project
An imported model is a normal 3D asset. Add it to a project from the editor's asset browser, target its parts with option blocks, replace it with a new version, rename or download it — exactly as with a model you uploaded. Simplio3D always stores it as GLB.
Giving credit
Saved with the model
The license, creator and source link are stored with the asset and written into the model file. Copy credit gives you a ready-made line, for example: "Office Chair" by Jane Doe, via Sketchfab, licensed CC Attribution 4.0 (CC BY), followed by the link to the model.
You add it to your page
Simplio3D doesn't add the credit to your published configurator automatically. For CC BY and BY-SA models, put the credit line on your product page or in a section header in the configurator.
Good to know
- Imported models count toward your plan's 3D model limit, exactly like uploads.
- Models up to 50 MB can be imported (the same limit as uploads). Larger models are marked as too large.
- Importing a model you already imported opens the existing asset instead of making a copy.
- In a team workspace, the Viewer role can browse but not import.
- Prefer models with a low polygon count and a modest file size — they load faster for your shoppers, especially on phones.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| "Connect your Sketchfab account to import Sketchfab models" | Click Connect Sketchfab and approve access. If the window doesn't open, allow pop-ups for app.simplio3d.ai — or let the page redirect you. |
| "Sketchfab imports are not set up on this platform yet" | Ask a Simplio3D administrator. Meanwhile use Poly Haven or the Smithsonian. |
| "This model's license does not allow importing it into Simplio3D" | The license doesn't allow commercial use (for example NonCommercial). Choose another model. |
| "Your plan includes N 3D models" | Delete 3D models you no longer need, or upgrade your plan. |
| "Up to 3 imports can run at once" | Wait for one to finish, then try again. |
| A library shows "temporarily unavailable" | That library didn't answer. The others still work — try again later. |
| The import failed | Read the reason shown, then click Try again. Some models can't be converted; choose another one. |