31 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Learning Spline (+ Freebie...)
I got LOADS of questions at a recent talk about Spline (most I could answer). Here's a comprehensive list of things I wish I knew starting...
Gentlemen and gentlewomen, it's been a while since my last newsletter, so I apologize for the delay.
Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Floxies community, a group of women in Webflow, about Spline.
We covered a wide range of topics including website design, 3D elements, accessibility, load speed, and SEO. There were countless questions 😅.
I could answer most of them…
But anyway, I thought these were great questions for beginners and really helpful to know if you’re starting out.
To make things easier, I've compiled a list of common questions and essential tips I wish I'd known when I started learning Spline.
Admittedly, I'm still learning and not yet where I want to be. Nonetheless, I hope these insights will help those of you who are new to 3D and web design.
Additionally, I'm excited to share a freebie in this newsletter. A few weeks ago, I created a credit card design that many people requested as a freebie. It's now available in the Spline community for anyone who wants to remix it. As always, Spline Time 3D subscribers get early access to these freebies.
Without further ado, let's dive into this week's newsletter.
Free credit card Spline file to remix 🔥
A lot of people (well, ok then.... 4 people) have messaged about getting their hands on these cards I made recently.
Still haven't got round to making a swirling website with them but when I get through client work early next week, I plan on focussing my attention making a website just for fun and play with Webflow, GSAP and Spline.
Truly excited to explore making more immersive web experiences.
Good thing I have no friends to distract me from this little venture of mine in my little life.
Anyway, if you fancy remixing this file, have a gander here:
31 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Learning Spline (+ Freebie...)
1) How do you make your 3D assets realistic in Spline?
Materials:
Use layers to add textures and effects to objects.
The Matcap material is great for creating realistic lighting effects without using physical lights, helping with performance.
Add noise or textures to make surfaces feel more organic.
Experiment with overlays like "Multiply" or "Overlay" to blend effects realistically.
Lighting:
Spline can simulate lighting with material properties like Matcap or Fresnel to avoid the computational overhead of real lights.
Use AI Style Transfer for pre-built lighting and texture styles.
Scene:
Break down real-life objects into simpler shapes.
For real-world products, use reference images and replicate elements one at a time (e.g., for an iPod, the body, buttons, and screen were separate parts).
Test various combinations of textures, materials, and scenes for realism.
2) What is the best way to learn Spline?
Remix community projects: Deconstruct community-shared files to see how objects and materials are configured.
Daily practice: Try building a simple 3D object every day for a month.
Tutorials:
Start with Spline’s built-in tutorials.
Experiment by following along with projects shared by creators like Min Pam or the official Spline YouTube channel.
Join the Discord community for live support and inspiration.
3) Who hosts a file when doing work for clients?
Option 1: You host the file in your own Spline account and link it to their Webflow project.
Option 2: If the client wants ownership, transfer the file to their Spline account.
Option 3: Clients can invite you to their Spline account to edit files directly.
4) What’s the best way to get the most out of your Spline assets?
Embed interactive elements in Webflow to enhance user engagement.
Export multiple formats:
High-quality PNGs or videos for social media.
Interactive 3D files for websites.
Static renders for product shots.
Experiment with animation using states and timelines in Spline.
Offer clients additional deliverables, like teaser videos, hero assets, and 3D models for e-commerce.
4) How do you make your Spline assets responsive for mobile?
Enable Responsive Mode in Spline.
This automatically adjusts the scene size and position to fit various screen sizes.
Use Auto Zoom to ensure scaling is proportional.
Center your scene using alignment tools to ensure consistent framing.
5) How to ensure your Spline embed doesn’t kill your load speed?
Use Matcap materials to simulate lighting instead of physical lights.
Optimize assets by removing unnecessary elements and textures.
Reduce file size by:
Minimizing polygons for models.
Compressing textures before importing.
Test performance on mobile and desktop.
6) What are the best Spline resources to learn?
Official Spline YouTube Channel
Community Remix Files: Browse the community section in Spline to reverse-engineer designs.
Creators:
Min Pam (YouTube tutorials)
Timothy Ricks (Webflow and Spline integration tips)
School of Motion (lighting and shading fundamentals)
7) Who are the best Spline creators to follow?
Min Pam: Advanced design tutorials.
Diego (Spline founder): Inside tips and tricks.
Axie Morris: 3D design inspiration.
Timothy Ricks: Workflow advice for Webflow and Spline.
8) Can you import files to Spline?
Yes, Spline supports:
SVGs: Import 2D designs from Illustrator or Figma.
GLTF/GLB files: Import 3D models from tools like Blender or Sketchfab.
Textures and images: Drag and drop textures for materials or background use.
9) Key tips for embedding a Spline file in a Webflow project?
Export the scene as a Viewer Link from Spline.
In Webflow:
Add a Spline Scene element.
Paste the Viewer Link in the settings panel.
Use a 100vw x 100vh container with fixed positioning for fullscreen embeds.
Set the Spline project to Responsive Mode to ensure compatibility with different screen sizes.
To add alt text, use custom code in Webflow targeting the Spline class
10) How do you make your 3D assets realistic in Spline?
Materials:
Use layers to add textures and effects to objects.
The Matcap material is great for creating realistic lighting effects without using physical lights, helping with performance.
Add noise or textures to make surfaces feel more organic.
Experiment with overlays like "Multiply" or "Overlay" to blend effects realistically.
Lighting:
Spline can simulate lighting with material properties like Matcap or Fresnel to avoid the computational overhead of real lights.
Use AI Style Transfer for pre-built lighting and texture styles.
Scene:
Break down real-life objects into simpler shapes.
For real-world products, use reference images and replicate elements one at a time (e.g., for an iPod, the body, buttons, and screen were separate parts).
Test various combinations of textures, materials, and scenes for realism.
11) What is the best way to learn Spline?
Remix community projects: Deconstruct community-shared files to see how objects and materials are configured.
Daily practice: Try building a simple 3D object every day for a month.
Tutorials:
Start with Spline’s built-in tutorials.
Experiment by following along with projects shared by creators like Min Pam or the official Spline YouTube channel.
Join the Discord community for live support and inspiration.
12) Who hosts a file when doing work for clients?
Option 1: You host the file in your own Spline account and link it to their Webflow project.
Option 2: If the client wants ownership, transfer the file to their Spline account.
Option 3: Clients can invite you to their Spline account to edit files directly.
13) What’s the best way to get the most out of your Spline assets?
Embed interactive elements in Webflow to enhance user engagement.
Export multiple formats:
High-quality PNGs or videos for social media.
Interactive 3D files for websites.
Static renders for product shots.
Experiment with animation using states and timelines in Spline.
Offer clients additional deliverables, like teaser videos, hero assets, and 3D models for e-commerce.
14) How do you make your Spline assets responsive for mobile?
Enable Responsive Mode in Spline.
This automatically adjusts the scene size and position to fit various screen sizes.
Use Auto Zoom to ensure scaling is proportional.
Center your scene using alignment tools to ensure consistent framing.
15) How to ensure your Spline embed doesn’t kill your load speed?
Use Matcap materials to simulate lighting instead of physical lights.
Optimize assets by removing unnecessary elements and textures.
Reduce file size by:
Minimizing polygons for models.
Compressing textures before importing.
Test performance on mobile and desktop.
16) What are the best Spline resources to learn?
Official Spline YouTube Channel
Community Remix Files: Browse the community section in Spline to reverse-engineer designs.
Creators:
Min Pam (YouTube tutorials)
Timothy Ricks (Webflow and Spline integration tips)
School of Motion (lighting and shading fundamentals)
17) Who are the best Spline creators to follow?
Min Pam: Advanced design tutorials.
Diego (Spline founder): Inside tips and tricks.
Axie Morris: 3D design inspiration.
Timothy Ricks: Workflow advice for Webflow and Spline.
18) Can you import files to Spline?
Yes, Spline supports:
SVGs: Import 2D designs from Illustrator or Figma.
GLTF/GLB files: Import 3D models from tools like Blender or Sketchfab.
Textures and images: Drag and drop textures for materials or background use.
19) Key tips for embedding a Spline file in a Webflow project?
Export the scene as a Viewer Link from Spline.
In Webflow:
Add a Spline Scene element.
Paste the Viewer Link in the settings panel.
Use a 100vw x 100vh container with fixed positioning for fullscreen embeds.
Set the Spline project to Responsive Mode to ensure compatibility with different screen sizes.
To add alt text, use custom code in Webflow targeting the Spline class.
20) How do you create a 3D model of an actual product, like a shoe or a phone, in Spline?
Answer:
Use Reference Images:
Import reference images directly into Spline by dragging them into your scene.
Use the images to guide the shape and texture of your 3D model.
Break the Object into Components:
Deconstruct the product into basic shapes (e.g., a phone could be a rectangle for the body, smaller rectangles for buttons).
Use Boolean operations to create cutouts or complex shapes.
Enhance Realism with Textures:
Add materials for texture, such as metallic or noise effects.
Import external textures (like from Polycam or scanned images) to add depth.
Import from Other Tools:
Use software like Blender to create detailed models, export them as GLTF/GLB, and import them into Spline.
21) Does Spline generate alt text for accessibility?
Answer:
Spline doesn’t automatically generate alt text for embedded scenes.
To add alt text in Webflow:
Use custom code in your Webflow project to target the Spline scene and define the alt text.
3D’s Impact on Website Accessibility:
Embedding 3D content from Spline into your website can affect accessibility, particularly for users who rely on screen readers or have visual impairments. To ensure your website remains accessible:
Provide Descriptive Alt Text: Manually add meaningful alt text to describe the purpose and content of the 3D elements. This practice is essential for conveying information to users who cannot view the visual content
.
Ensure Keyboard Navigation: Verify that interactive 3D elements are navigable using a keyboard, as some users may not use a mouse.
Test with Assistive Technologies: Regularly test your website with screen readers and other assistive technologies to identify and address any accessibility issues.
By proactively implementing these measures, you can enhance the accessibility of your website, ensuring that all users, regardless of their abilities, can interact with your 3D content effectively.
22) Can you use AI to create 3D models in Spline?
Answer:
Spline includes AI Style Transfer, which applies pre-built aesthetics like steampunk or modern styles to your objects.
For more advanced AI 3D creation, use tools like Polycam or Hyper Human to generate 3D models and then import them into Spline.
Current AI-generated models in Spline are limited and may lack editable components.
23) Can Spline assets be used for 3D printing?
Answer:
Yes, Spline supports exporting in formats compatible with 3D printers.
Export as OBJ or GLTF/GLB and import the file into 3D printing software.
Use the Print 3D Export option in Spline to streamline the process.
24) What happens to the client’s asset if your Spline subscription ends?
Answer:
If you’re hosting the file and your subscription ends:
The scene may revert to the free plan, displaying Spline branding.
To ensure continuity:
Transfer ownership of the file to the client’s account.
Or ensure they have their own paid Spline account.
25) How do you create a 3D Christmas tree in Spline?
Answer:
Start with a cone shape for the tree.
Add spheres for ornaments and use Matcap materials for a shiny effect.
Add a star or light on top with a glow effect.
Export individual components so others can remix or add to the tree (e.g., custom ornaments).
26) What are the best file formats to use for importing and exporting in Spline?
Answer:
For Importing:
SVG: For vector-based 2D designs.
GLTF/GLB: For 3D models created in external software like Blender.
Textures/Images: JPEG, PNG for applying realistic textures.
For Exporting:
Viewer Link: For Webflow embeds.
GLTF/GLB: For sharing 3D models with other tools.
OBJ or Print 3D: For 3D printing.
27) How can I reduce the load time of Spline assets on websites?
Answer:
Use Matcap materials to simulate lighting without real-time rendering.
Optimize models:
Reduce polygon counts.
Compress textures before importing.
Keep scenes simple:
Avoid unnecessary assets or animations.
Host files efficiently:
Use Spline's embed feature rather than heavy video exports.
28) Can you build out the elements of an object in Illustrator and import it to Spline?
Answer:
Yes, export designs as SVGs from Illustrator or Figma.
Import the SVG into Spline, where it becomes a 3D layer.
You can manipulate the imported design, such as scaling, adding materials, or animating.
29) How can you use Spline assets across multiple mediums (web, social, video)?
Answer:
Export PNGs for static images on social platforms.
Create videos by animating the scene in Spline and exporting as MP4.
Use interactive embeds for websites (e.g., Webflow).
Design for print by exporting high-resolution images or models for 3D printing.
30) How do you troubleshoot Spline export issues?
Answer:
If the Viewer Link doesn’t copy:
Try refreshing the page or testing on another browser.
Ensure no elements in the scene are corrupt or incomplete.
Report bugs to Spline support via their Discord or help page.
31) Are there any limitations with importing files to Spline?
Answer:
Importing complex 3D models (e.g., from Sketchfab) sometimes requires unpacking additional bin or texture files.
Ensure imported models are in supported formats, such as GLTF/GLB.
External models may not retain editable components within Spline.
That’s a wrap people.
Anything in particular you want to know? Leave a comment.
Who let this out the door with ten repeats and two questions #4?