---
title: "3D assets"
slug: "3d-assets"
abstract: "How to enable 3D rendering and how to preview a 3D asset."
---
# 3D assets

3D imaging is a technique used to develop or create the illusion of depth in an image. It enables you to view and analyze objects in full 3D form. This is useful for quality control, for example.

In Sitecore Content Hub, 3D images are ZIP packages containing [different types of files necessary](https://doc.sitecore.com/ch/en/users/content-hub/contents-of-a-3d-asset-package.html "Contents of a 3D asset package") for rendering a 2D image in three dimensions. Several [3D file formats](https://doc.sitecore.com/ch/en/users/content-hub/formats-supported-for-preview.html "Formats supported for preview") are supported by default.

To enable 3D rendering, you must select an asset type that has [the **Triggers extract archives** flag](https://doc.sitecore.com/ch/en/users/content-hub/trigger-extract-archive.html "Trigger extract archive") enabled (such as **Archive**). This shows the contents of the 3D asset package on the asset details page.

To see a rendered 3D asset without having to download it and open it in a modelling tool, you can [view a simple 3D preview](https://doc.sitecore.com/ch/en/users/content-hub/preview-a-3d-asset.html "Preview a 3D asset") in Content Hub. This option is automatically enabled when archive extraction is complete.

> [!important]
> If you don't select an asset type that has the `Triggers extract archives` flag enabled, Content Hub shows the 3D package as a ZIP file asset, not as a 3D asset. Because this is an internal preview and not a full modelling application, the way a 3D asset is rendered (including its inline and thumbnail previews) might differ from your expectations.