3.1: Creating a Digital Twin

What is a Digital Twin?

A Digital Twin is a 3D representation of a real-world asset. The more accurately it reflects the physical object, the more powerful and versatile it become, especially when enhanced with metadata, materials, and interactive behaviors. These twins are the foundation for creating immersive training and support experiences in frontline.io.

Before you Begin

Make sure you have:

1. Access to your frontline.io workspace
   
2. An Advanced Content Creator role
3. Supported 3D model files (e.g. FBX, OBJ, GLTF2, STL).
   
1. For the full list of supported file types, see Understanding Supported 3D CAD File Formats.
   
4. A clear idea of the asset you want to digitize
   

This guide does not cover 3D Studio for upload or editing Digital Twins. For information on 3D Studio, please see Using 3D Studio.

Uploading your Digital Twin

How to Upload

frontline.io offers two upload paths:

1. Fast Track Pro: Import CAD files directly into the frontline.io PC app to create a Digital Twin with enhanced flexibility and control by converting models into our FLDT format, ensuring faster loading, smoother performance, and easier updates, especially useful for large or complex models.
2. 3D Studio: For advanced users, this is a Unity-based SDK that allows for deeper manipulation of the model once uploaded by leveraging Unity's engine.
   

This guide recommends using Fast Track Pro as it is the recommended path for beginners.

To upload a Digital Twin, ensure you have access to Fast Track Pro (available to advanced content creators).

1. Open the frontline.io app and navigate to the Project where you want to upload the Digital Twin.

2. Select + Create New under the Digital Twins menu on the left-hand side.

3. Upload your CAD files by either dragging and dropping them into the app or browsing your local files.

Once processing is complete, the model will load directly into the Digital Twin Editor, where it can then be immediately saved and published.

Alternatively, you can use the Digital Twin Editor's suite of tools to further customise and enhance your Digital Twin before publishing.

Visual Guide - Fast Track Pro

Ensure you have access to Fast Track Pro (available to advanced content creators).

Open the frontline.io app and navigate to the Project you wish to upload the twin to.

Select '+ Create New' under the Digital Twins menu on the left hand side.

Upload your CAD files by simply dragging and dropping them into the app, or by browsing through your computer files. 

After processing, your model will be directly loaded into the Digital Twin Editor, where you can immediately start editing your model.

Real-time Digital Twin creation:
27 MB file size / STP file / 1,696 parts / 7 seconds - Digital twin creation

Your Digital Twin will not be preserved unless you save the model before quitting the Digital Twin Editor.

FLDT (Frontline Digital Twin) Format

Fast Track Pro uses a powerful proprietary file format called FLDT (frontline.io Digital Twin).

Here’s how it works:

• Conversion: CAD files are converted into the FLDT format during the optimization process.
• Lighter and Optimized: FLDT files are smaller in size and optimized for better performance.
• Shareability: You can share FLDT files with anyone who has access to the Fast Track Pro feature.

After optimizing your CAD file, you’ll receive a ready-to-use frontline.io Digital Twin (FLDT) file that’s optimized for seamless use in frontline.io. Just like CAD files, FLDT files can be uploaded directly into the app, allowing you to enjoy faster performance and smoother workflows.

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