This tutorial was written for Simply 3D version 2, mainly because I don't have access to version 3, but it should be close enough that it will work. This tutorial assumes you know how to use your software and perform simple file management tasks such as browsing folders and saving files. This is the first tutorial that I've written. If you found it confusing or know how it can be improved please let me know.

So, you went out and bought Simply 3D and made lots of nice pictures but now your ready to move on to something a little less simple. The only problem is you can't use any of the really neat models that you made because there isn't any software that will import the S3D file format. Luckily Simply 3D was created specifically to bring 3D to the Internet. Why is that lucky you ask? It's lucky because Simply 3D was designed to export to VRML, (i.e. it exports to the widely used WRL format.)

Start Simply 3D as you normally would and load/make your mesh then select Save As from the file menu. When the dialog opens click the drop-down box (little black arrow) to the far right of the words Save as type: and pick VRML File Format (.wrl), (fig. 1). Then choose the folder where you want to save the file and type in a file name and click the Ok button.

Fig. 1

When the VRML Export dialog box opens change the Image Export Type: to Embedded if you don't want to export the textures; otherwise choose *.gif or *.jpg and enter a path for the Sub Directory for Images: (fig. 2). Be sure to pick VRML 2.0. Simply 3D2 automatically defaults to VRML V2.0 so there is no option for it. I assume Simply 3D3 also defaults to VRML 2.0. Click Ok then exit Simply 3D.

Fig. 2

Next you need to download a shareware translator called 3D Exploration. You will need Version 1.4 or newer. Version 1.4 is shareware but after the trial expires there are registration nag screens but you can still continue to convert meshes with it. The latest version of 3D Explorer, Version 1.8 is also shareware, after the trial expires you can no longer convert meshes but if you register you will be able to continue converting meshes with it.

3D Exploration V1.4 is getting very hard to find but I found a shareware site that still has it. The site is in Spanish but the software is in English. If you go to this site just click on the big blue arrow to download.

3D Exploration V1.8 can be downloaded from the manufactures site.

The rest of this tutorial was written for 3D Exploration V1.4, V1.8 should be similar, although some of the options may vary slightly. Start 3D Exploration. You will notice that it has a Windows Explorer like interface. On the left side is a directory listing of your hard drive(s) and on the lower right is a list of files it can currently open. On the left side, browse to the folder where you saved your WRL file from Simply 3D. When you click on the folder you should see the file name on the lower right. Select the file; you should then see the object on the upper right side of the screen (fig 3.). At this point the object still has all of its layers intact. If you didn't pick Embedded for the textures when you saved the file in WRL format, you should also see the textures.

Fig. 3

If you have 3D Exploration set up to display objects as Solid and you choose Embedded for the textures it may not be visible in the render window. This is because the textures have been replaced with a black texture map and it makes the object appear black. To see the object switch the render mode to Wireframes.

All that's left to do is select Save As from the file menu and select your file format from the Save as type: drop down box. Choose where you want to save it and click the Save button. For some of the file formats another dialog box will open asking you for more options when you save. Depending on what format and options you choose the object will still have all of the layer and or texture information.