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Keeping a real-time 3D building configurator smooth on mobile

Started by SimpleLexi Sep 24 at 7:00 AM 0 replies 100+ views
Original Post
SimpleLexi
SimpleLexi

Hi everyone,

I'm with SimpleLexi, a free 3D configurator for metal buildings like carports, garages, and workshops. Users pick a standard build, then change the dimensions, roof style, colors, doors, and windows, and the 3D model updates in real time.

Most of our users are on phones, so we've focused on touch controls like pinch to zoom and swipe to rotate. We also show a skeleton UI so the page feels responsive while the 3D scene is still loading.

A few questions for anyone who has worked on similar projects:

  1. When a user changes the building's length or width, is it better to rebuild the mesh or scale and reposition existing parts?

  2. What's your go-to approach for keeping draw calls low when a model has lots of repeated parts, like wall panels and trim?

  3. Any tips for fast load times on slower 4G connections?

We also regenerate related outputs when dimensions change. For example, our concrete slab calculator updates the slab size and cubic yards to match the building.

Would love to hear how others have handled parametric models like this. Thanks!

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