What is a 3D Viewer?
A 3D Viewer is a tool that lets you bring 3D models to life directly in a browser, so viewers can rotate, zoom, and explore a scene from any angle without needing specialized 3D software. It's commonly used for architectural designs, product demos, and immersive educational content.
With Flourish, you can upload your model, adjust lighting and backgrounds, and add annotations to guide your audience. Interactive and fully responsive, your 3D visuals look great on any device and embed seamlessly into digital platforms.
USE CASES
Explore practical uses for the 3D Viewer
From product launches to education and design, 3D models help you present ideas clearly and interactively
Launch new products
Showcase new items in 3D so customers can explore every detail before buying.
Teach with clarity
Turn complex concepts into 3D models that make learning easier to grasp.
Show architecture
Present buildings, monuments, or structures in an immersive way that highlights design and scale.
FEATURES
Everything you need to make your 3D models interactive
Powerful features that make data visualization easy and beautiful
Upload common 3D files
Add models in glTF (.glb), OBJ, or FBX format, or a ZIP folder if your model includes extra texture files.
Camera controls
Switch between orbit or free-look cameras to let viewers explore your 3D model with ease.
Responsive design
Your 3D models work smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Custom environments
Adjust lighting and backgrounds, or upload your own HDRI or equirectangular images.
Annotations
Add callouts or guided viewpoints to highlight and explain important model details.
RESOURCES
Data visualization resources
Tips, guides, and resources to make your interactive 3D models even more effective
Frequently asked questions
The 3D Viewer lets you upload and display 3D models directly in Flourish. You can adjust lighting and backgrounds, switch camera views, and even add annotations or animations to make your models explorable. Read more in our help doc.
The recommended format is glTF (.glb) for best performance. You can also upload OBJ and FBX files, or a ZIP folder if your model includes extra texture files.
Yes — if your model includes built-in animations, the 3D Viewer can play them directly, adding extra movement and engagement.
Flourish offers a free plan that’s perfect for exploring interactive data storytelling. You’ll get access to the full range of visualization types available in Flourish (including 3D Viewer), unlimited projects, full privacy for your unpublished work, plus helpful support resources.
If you’re an individual creating presentations and reports, our Presenter plan might be the right fit. It includes access to the Flourish app within Canva, along with image and SVG export options for your visualizations.
And if you’re ready to create fully branded visuals without attribution, collaborate across teams, connect your systems via API, and unlock advanced storytelling features like scrollytelling, our premium plans are designed for you. Reach out to our team to find the best option for your business.
Once you publish your Flourish visualization, you’ll get a responsive embed code you can paste anywhere HTML is supported – from WordPress and Medium to custom CMS platforms. Your chart will look great on any screen size, no extra setup needed.
Every project also comes with a unique URL, so you can easily share your work on social media or link to it directly.
