Introduction

This guide is designed for e-commerce owners and directors of e-commerce who want to implement 3D products on their Shopify stores quickly and effectively.

It removes technical guesswork, minimizes time investment, and ensures a seamless integration process that boosts customer engagement and reduces returns.

Step 1: Prepare Your Shopify Store for 3D Integration

1. Check Your Shopify Plan:
   • Ensure you are on a plan that supports advanced media features (Shopify Basic or higher).
   • If needed, upgrade your plan via Settings > Plan and permissions.
2. Confirm Your Theme’s Compatibility:
   • Your Shopify theme must support 3D models.
   • Use Shopify’s free themes like Dawn or confirm with your theme developer that it supports 3D media formats like .glb or .usdz files.

Step 2: Choose a 3D and AR Integration Tool

1. Select a 3D Tool:

   Choose a tool that integrates with Shopify and supports 3D models and AR functionality. Here are some recommendations:

   • Threekit: Allows for 3D configurators and AR, with easy Shopify integration.
   • Shopify AR (via third-party apps): Shopify’s AR tools can be integrated using apps such as Augment or 3D Product Configurator.

2. Sign Up for a Tool and Configure Your Account:

   • Follow the tool’s setup instructions and connect your Shopify store to their platform.

Step 3: Prepare 3D Assets for Your Products

1. Create or Source 3D Models:

   If you don’t have 3D assets, either:

   • Hire a freelancer or use tools like Sketchfab or Spline 3D to create custom models.
   • Hire 3D designers to ensure models are optimized for web use.

2. Optimize the Models for Web Use:

   • File formats: Use .glb for 3D models and .usdz for AR functionality on iOS.
   • File size: Ensure the file size is under 10MB for faster loading and performance.
   • High-Quality Visuals: Ensure your models showcase your products clearly and accurately from every angle.

Step 4: Upload 3D Models to Your 3D Tool

1. Upload the Models to the Chosen Tool:
   • After creating and optimizing your 3D models, upload them to your chosen 3D platform.
   • For any platform, follow their upload instructions to connect and configure each product with its corresponding 3D model.
2. Test 3D and AR Features:
   • Check that your 3D models are displaying correctly in the preview tool.
   • Test the AR feature on mobile devices to ensure compatibility with both Android and iOS.