When you export your model from a CAD package you may end up with a model hierarchy that doesn't have much structure. This can make it hard to use when trying to hide or highlight specific parts in JoinXR.

This will give you some basic tips for how to reorganize the hierarchy to make it more useable in JoinXR.

Step 1 - Start with a clean scene

When you open a new scene in Blender you sometimes end up with default objects such as a camera, lights, a cube, and a collection.

1. Start up Blender
2. Go to the scene outliner select the Collection and press delete
3. Select all other objects and press delete.

Step 2 - Import model file

1. Got to File -> Import
2. Choose the file format that matches what you exported from your CAD package
   
3. Select the file and press import.

For our example, we have imported a tunnel-boring machine from an fbx file

Step 3 - Group objects together

1. Start by working out what objects you want to group together. This could be based on assemblies or types of objects e.g wiring. In our example, we will do it by part type.
2. Now create an empty node in the hierarchy. Add -> Empty -> Plain Axes
   
   
3. Find the new node in the hierarchy and double click to rename it. We'll call ours "Wires"
4. Now select all the objects we want to group under the new node. Using control or shift to select multiple objects. Here we've selected all the wire objects.
   
5. While pressing control, select the new node.
   
6. Now we want to reparent all the selected objects under the new node. The last thing you select will always be the parent node of the previously selected objects. With your mouse cursor in the 3D view Press Ctrl+P and select Object (Keep Transform Without Inverse)
   
7. All your selected objects should now be parented to the new node
8. Repeat this process until you have an organized model hierarchy.

Step 4 - Export Model

Export your model to your desired file format. For remote rendering we recommend GLB

1. File -> Export
2. Choose desired file format
   
3. Leave the default export setting and choose where to put the file and click "Export"

Your model is now ready to be uploaded to remote rendering conversion.

Pro tip - Add actions to quick favorites

For operations you use a lot it can help to put them on your quick favorites menu. This is done by going to the operation you want and right-clicking on it and choose Add to Quick Favorites

Do this for both the add Plain Axes and the Parent Object operation. Now when you press Q while your cursor is over the 3D view and the operations will appear.