Added GLB import information and new asset tasks (Draco + FBX folder) (…

…#493)

* Small updates and references to using GLB

* Change recommended format from FBX to GLB

* Updated import asset settings

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/index.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/building.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/exporting.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/exporting.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/exporting.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/building.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/exporting.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Update content/en/user-manual/assets/models/building.md

Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

* Added newline between para and images

* Removed px

* Removed px

---------

Co-authored-by: Steven Yau <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Will Eastcott <[email protected]>

content/en/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/import-hierarchy.md

@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ PlayCanvas supports importing models with their meshes as a hierarchy of entitie
 
 ## How to enable
 
+<div class="alert alert-info">
+    This is now enabled by default for new projects.
+</div>
+
 Open the 'Project Settings'
 
 <img loading="lazy" src="/images/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/import-hierarchy/project-settings.png" width="480">
@@ -20,10 +24,14 @@ Scroll down to 'Asset Tasks' and enable 'Import Hierarchy':
 
 ## Importing models
 
-Drag the model file into the 'Assets Panel':
+A full tutorial on importing your first model and animation can be found [here][first_model_animation_import].
+
+As an overview, when you drag the model file into the 'Assets Panel':
+
 ![Drag Model into Assets Panel][import_model_gif]
 
 The following assets will be created when imported:
+
 ![Created Assets][created_assets_img]
 
 | Asset Type | Description |
@@ -56,3 +64,4 @@ How the Editor decides what is a new or removed mesh instance is done by the fol
 [template_asset]: /user-manual/templates/
 [render_component]: /api/pc.RenderComponent.html
 [collision_component]: /api/pc.CollisionComponent.html
+[first_model_animation_import]: /tutorials/importing-first-model-and-animation/

content/en/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/index.md

@@ -10,13 +10,11 @@ Some assets don't need to be imported before they can be used. For example a PNG
 
 ## Asset Tasks
 
-When a source asset is uploaded that needs to be imported. PlayCanvas starts an Asset Task to perform this import process on our server. You can see the asset tasks that you are currently running in the Asset Panel.
-
-![asset tasks][1]
+When a source asset is uploaded, PlayCanvas starts an Asset Task to perform this import process on our server.
 
 There are a variety of options available to tune the behavior of the import pipeline to suit your needs.
 
-<img loading="lazy" src="/images/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/asset-tasks.png" width="360">
+<img loading="lazy" src="/images/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/asset-tasks.png" width="480">
 
 ### Search related assets
 
@@ -75,11 +73,24 @@ Enabled by default on new projects, imported models and animations will create G
 
 Only available if using [Convert to GLB](#convert-to-glb) option. When a model file is imported, a template asset is created that contains the full hierarchy of the model as entities allowing to you to manipulate them directly in the Editor. See more information about this feature [here][3].
 
+### Mesh Compression
+
+Only available if using [Convert to GLB](#convert-to-glb) option. Setting this to a compression format will automatically compress mesh data when importing or re-importing model files. This can drastically reduce the size of GLB files at the cost of some runtime decompression cost.
+
+If using Draco compression, remember to import the Draco WASM module into the project otherwise the models will not load.
+
+<img loading="lazy" src="/images/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/draco-import-button.png" width="480">
+
+### Create FBX Folder
+
+When importing a model file (e.g a GLB or FBX), the Editor will create a folder for the assets created by the import such as render, template and material assets.
+
+If there is already a Model (Source) file in the current folder or a folder with the same name as the file being imported, it will overwrite the existing assets instead of creating a new folder.
+
 ## Animation Import Settings
 
 Please refer to the [Animation section][4] for more details.
 
-[1]: /images/user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/asset-tasks-full.jpg
 [2]: /user-manual/assets/preloading-and-streaming/
 [3]: /user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/import-hierarchy/
 [4]: /user-manual/assets/animation/

content/en/user-manual/assets/models/building.md

@@ -6,7 +6,28 @@ position: 2
 
 Building art and animations for PlayCanvas can be done using almost any of the many 3D modeling programs available. For example: Blender, SketchUp, Autodesk 3D Studio Max or Autodesk Maya.
 
-PlayCanvas is designed to import content most faithfully via the FBX interchange format so, in general, if your modeling application supports FBX, PlayCanvas supports it too. As such, to target PlayCanvas, you do not have to use any special art tools plugins and there are no PlayCanvas-specific workflows you must follow.
+PlayCanvas is designed to import content most faithfully via the open source glTF binary (GLB) format so, in general, if your modeling application supports GLB, PlayCanvas supports it too.
+
+The import of GLBs supports the following glTF features for incredibly fast scene creation:
+
+- Node hierarchy
+- Standard material
+- Ratified material extensions
+- Animated skeletons and skinning data
+- Morph targets
+- Cameras
+- Draco compressed models
+- Punctual light support
+
+As such, to target PlayCanvas, you do not have to use any special art tool plugins and there are no PlayCanvas-specific workflows you must follow.
+
+![GLB Import Example][14]
+
+(Model by Loïc Norgeot and mosquito scan by Geoffrey Marchal for [Sketchfab][13] licensed under [CC BY 4.0][12]).
+
+PlayCanvas also supports the importing of FBX files which is another common interchange format. However, FBX materials are not imported as faithfully as glTF materials and might require some editing after import.
+
+We recommend using GLBs whenever possible for the best experience and highest compatibility.
 
 Some modeling and animation programs to consider:
 
@@ -38,7 +59,7 @@ Regardless which modeling application you are using, there a number of things to
 
 [Blender][4] is a fantastic free tool for 3D modeling and it is perfect for generating 3D assets for PlayCanvas.
 
-Blender supports exporting to both COLLADA and FBX, but the built-in exporters do have some limitations.
+Blender supports exporting to GLB, FBX and COLLADA but the built-in exporters do have some limitations.
 
 ### **Map Types**
 
@@ -158,3 +179,6 @@ You should use the standard material types in Maya: lambert, blinn and phong. Th
 [9]: /images/user-manual/assets/models/building/wall-norm-yflip.jpg
 [10]: /images/user-manual/assets/models/building/mountains-sphere.jpg
 [11]: /images/user-manual/assets/models/building/maya-material-editor.jpg
+[12]: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
+[13]: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/real-time-refraction-demo-mosquito-in-amber-37233d6ed84844fea1ebe88069ea58d1
+[14]: /images/user-manual/assets/models/building/glb-import.gif

content/en/user-manual/assets/models/exporting.md

@@ -4,11 +4,29 @@ layout: usermanual-page.hbs
 position: 3
 ---
 
-PlayCanvas can import 3D content in the following formats: FBX, OBJ, 3DS and COLLADA (DAE). We strongly recommend you use FBX since this the most robust and well tested interchange format.
+PlayCanvas can import 3D content in the following formats: glTF binary (GLB), FBX, OBJ, 3DS and COLLADA (DAE). We strongly recommend you use GLB as it's an open source industry standard and very well supported in the Editor.
 
-Here are some tips for exporting to the FBX file format:
+![GLB Import Example][glb-import-gif]
+
+(Model by Loïc Norgeot and mosquito scan by Geoffrey Marchal for [Sketchfab][mosquito] licensed under [CC BY 4.0][cc-40]).
+
+If GLB is not available, then please use FBX as it is a robust and well tested interchange industry format.
+
+## General export tips
+
+* Only export what you need from your scene. For example, if your scene contains a red car and a blue car but you only want to import the red car, export only the red car. Your modeling application should have an 'Export Selected' or similar option.
+
+## Tips for Exporting to GLB
+
+* Set the format to glTF Binary (GLB).
+* Ensure that materials and images are set to be exported and embedded in the GLB. Otherwise, you must upload all scene textures separately and relink all textures to materials and re-configure the materials parameters.
+
+## Tips for Exporting to FBX
 
 * Ensure you have the latest available FBX exporter for your modelling application installed.
-* Only export what you need from your scene to FBX. For example, if your scene contains a red car and a blue car but you only want to import the red car, export only the red car to FBX. Your modelling application should have an 'Export Selected' option.
 * Select the 'Embed Media' option in the FBX exporter panel. This packages the scene's textures in the exported FBX. This preserves material to textures links during import into PlayCanvas. Otherwise, you must upload all scene textures separately and relink all textures to materials.
 * Select the 'Binary' file format option in the FBX exporter panel. This reduces FBX file size considerably.
+
+[glb-import-gif]: /images/user-manual/assets/models/building/glb-import.gif
+[cc-40]: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
+[mosquito]: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/

content/en/user-manual/assets/models/index.md

@@ -6,18 +6,23 @@ position: 11
 
 3D models and animations are imported into PlayCanvas by uploading scene files from a [3D modeling application][1] such as [Blender][2], 3D Studio Max or Maya.
 
-PlayCanvas supports a wide variety of formats, such as FBX, COLLADA and obj. We recommend using the FBX format for best results.
+PlayCanvas supports a wide variety of formats, such as glTF binary (GLB), FBX, COLLADA and obj. We recommend using the GLB format for best results.
 
-Uploading one of these files will create a [Source Asset][3] of type 'scene' and will produce a [Target Asset][4] of type 'model'. You will use the target 'model' in your game.
+Uploading one of these files will create a [Source Asset][3] of type 'Model' and will produce several [Target Assets][4] including a '[Template]'[7] with the model hierarchy and 'Render' assets. You can add an instance of the 'Template' in your game.
 
 Learn more about:
 
 * [Building Models][5]
 * [Exporting Models][6]
+* [Importing Models][8]
+* [Using Templates][9]
 
 [1]: /user-manual/assets/models/building
 [2]: https://www.blender.org/
 [3]: /user-manual/glossary#source-asset
 [4]: /user-manual/glossary#target-asset
 [5]: /user-manual/assets/models/building
 [6]: /user-manual/assets/models/exporting
+[7]: /user-manual/assets/templates/
+[8]: /user-manual/assets/import-pipeline/import-hierarchy/
+[9]: /user-manual/templates/