Custom 3D Models
Upload your own .glb model into the Daft Time visualizer — file requirements, local availability, and troubleshooting.
The Daft Time visualizer (Date and Time category) can render a 3D model you upload in its liquid-chrome look — your logo, a product scan, or a sculpt — with the same carve, shatter, and rim-light controls as the built-in models.
Uploading a Model
- Open Daft Time and set MESH MODE to MODEL in the CORE section.
- Scroll to the CUSTOM MODEL section at the bottom of the settings sidebar.
- Click UPLOAD MODEL (.GLB) and pick a file.
The model appears immediately, the MODEL dropdown switches to MY MODEL (UPLOADED), and the section shows the filename with REPLACE MODEL and REMOVE buttons. You can switch back to any built-in model from the dropdown at any time — your upload stays available under MY MODEL (UPLOADED).
File Requirements
| Requirement | Limit |
|---|---|
| Format | Binary glTF (.glb), glTF version 2.0 |
| File size | 30 MB maximum |
| Geometry | 200,000 triangles maximum (all meshes combined) |
| Compression | Uncompressed geometry only — Draco/meshopt-compressed files are not supported |
JSON .gltf files are rejected — they can reference textures and buffers outside the file itself. Export as a single self-contained .glb instead; every mesh in the file is merged and rendered.
Exporting from Blender: in the glTF export dialog, leave Compression (Draco) unchecked. A Draco-compressed .glb will upload but fail to load, and the visualizer falls back to the default model. If your model is over the triangle limit, apply a Decimate modifier before exporting.
Where Your Model Is Stored
The file is saved locally in this browser — it is never uploaded to a server. That means:
- It survives page reloads and browser restarts on the same machine.
- It does not follow you to another browser, device, or a private/incognito window.
- Clearing site data for beamtracer.com deletes it. If that happens, Daft Time falls back to the default built-in model instead of showing an empty canvas.
REMOVE deletes the stored file and returns the dropdown to the default model.
Working with Detailed Models
Models near the file-size or geometry limit may take longer to appear and may show less smoothing than a simpler model. Daft Time keeps the canvas responsive and falls back to its default model when an upload cannot be displayed.
If that happens, re-export without compression and reduce the mesh below the 200,000-triangle limit. For the most responsive SMOOTH, CARVE COUNT, and SHATTER controls, start with substantially fewer triangles and add detail only as needed.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause / Fix |
|---|---|
| "Not a binary glTF file" | The file is a JSON .gltf or another format renamed to .glb. Re-export as binary glTF. |
| "File exceeds the 30 MB limit" | Remove unused textures, reduce texture sizes, or decimate the mesh before export. |
| Model uploads but the default model shows instead | Re-export as an uncompressed .glb with no more than 200,000 triangles. If needed, apply a Decimate modifier first. |
| Model looks faceted with SMOOTH at maximum | Reduce the mesh density and re-export so the model has more room for smoothing. |
| Model gone after switching devices | Uploads are stored locally per browser and don't sync. Re-upload on the new device. |
Daft Time uses the model's shape, not its original textures or surface styling. You can remove textures before export to shrink the file well under the size limit.