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Animation Modes

The Animation Mode controls how movement is handled in the exported WebAR scene.

Location: WebAR panel → Animation → Animation Mode

The GLB file is exported as a snapshot at the current frame — no keyframe data included. All motion is driven by JavaScript at runtime in the browser.

This approach mirrors the 8thWall workflow: a clean, lightweight model file plus a separate animation layer.

Advantages: - Smallest file size - Fastest load time - Per-object JS animations configured directly in Blender (Rotate, Float, Pulse, Spin) - No issues with armature or bone export compatibility

When to use: most product visualizations, decorative animations, interactive objects.

JS Animation types available per object:

Type Description
None Object stays still
Rotate Y Continuous rotation around the Y (vertical) axis
Rotate X Continuous rotation around the X axis
Rotate Z Continuous rotation around the Z axis
Float Gentle up-and-down floating movement
Pulse Scale Rhythmic scale in/out
Spin Fast Fast spin — useful for loading indicators or highlights

Speed for all types is set per-object in the WebAR Object panel.

Skeletal (Bones)

Exports the armature with skinning weights and animation clips baked from the NLA or active action.

Use when: your model is a rigged character with walk cycles, gestures, or other bone-driven animations.

Limitations: - Larger file size - Browser compatibility depends on the rig complexity - Object-level rotation animations (not bone-driven) may not export correctly — use Static mode for those

Object Animation

Exports baked object-level keyframes (position, rotation, scale) by force-sampling the IPO curves.

Use when: you have non-bone animations — e.g. a mechanical assembly where parts move independently.

Heavy — not recommended

Object animation produces large files and can cause performance issues on mobile. Consider baking to a lower frame rate or replacing with JS animations (Static mode) where possible.

Choosing the right mode

Has rigged character animations?
  └─ Yes → Skeletal (Bones)
  └─ No → Has complex mechanical keyframe animations?
              └─ Yes → Object Animation (use sparingly)
              └─ No → Static + JS animations (recommended)