How to use the Merge Creator App

Merge Creator lets you scan real world objects, upload 3D models, edit your creations, and add multimedia labels! In this article, we'll show you how to do all the things Merge Creator has to offer:

• Use the 3D Scanner
• Upload a 3D model
• Edit your 3D model
• Add multimedia labels
• Change the settings
• View, hold and place with Merge Object Viewer

Compatible devices: 

Many Chromebook, iOS, and some Windows devices are compatible with the uploading feature in Merge Creator, as well as editing objects and adding multimedia labels.

However, only some iOS devices are compatible with the 3D scanning feature in Merge Creator.

3D is Scanning Supported on the following iOS devices:

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd generation and later), iPhone 11 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, and newer.
• iPad (6th generation and later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)

Not supported:
iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X.

Using the 3D Scanner:

Merge Creator has a built-in 3D scanner! To create a digital 3D model from a physical object, follow the directions below:

1. Ensure your object is on a table or pedestal that you can walk around completely.
   Launch the Merge Creator app then select +New Object then SCAN
2. Read the tips provided, follow the directions on the screen, and then select Start Scanning
3. Move close and center the dot on your object, then tap Continue.
4. A box will appear around your object. Move around to ensure your entire object is inside the box. Drag handles to manually resize. Then tap Start Capture.
5. A compass will appear near your object. Walk around the object carefully keeping your camera pointed at the object. The dashes on the compass will start to fill in as you make progress.
6. After the compass fills in completely, you will be asked to scan again. Read the message about object flipping. Press Continue or Flip Object Anyway. **NOTE: If the shape is unique on all sides, you should flip the object. However, flipping is not always recommended if the object is very large or fragile. Often, the scanner will fill in the bottom automatically.
7. You will scan your object for the 2nd time, this time aiming the camera lower as you scan. Follow the tips on the screen, such as Move Closer. Follow the direction of the arrow, if one pops up. Second segment should say Complete when done.
8. Last, you will be asked to capture your object a third time from a higher angle. Follow the directions on the screen such as Move Closer, ensuring you are filling in the compass dashes.
9. You will get a message that says All Segments Complete. Tap Finish to process your object. Object processing may take several minutes.
10. That’s it! Once your model has finished processing, you will be able to access it on the home screen.
11. To edit your 3D scan or add multimedia labels, follow the steps in the corresponding sections below.

Upload a 3D Model

Whether you created your own 3D model in Tinkercad or any other 3D modeling program, or found one online, follow these steps below to add it to Merge Creator!

1. Ensure your object is saved on the device that has the Merge Creator app installed.
2. Open Merge Creator and tap + New Object
3. Select UPLOAD
4. Find your 3D model file on your device, and select it
5. Wait a minute or two while your object processes
6. That’s it! Your object can now be found on the home screen.
7. To edit your 3D model or add multimedia labels, follow the steps in the corresponding sections below.

Edit your 3D Model

Merge Creator lets you edit your 3D model in a variety of ways. You can give your digital object a new title and description, edit the size and rotation your object will appear on the Merge Cube, in World Mode, and change the thumbnail. Follow the steps below to discover all the ways to edit your object:

1. Select your object by tapping it
2. Select Edit to edit it
3. Select Details to update your title and description. You can also re-upload your object to the latest version, add it to a custom collection, or share it with others by tapping the corresponding selection on the screen. 
4. Be sure to save any changes by tapping SAVE. You can also DELETE your object. 
5. Tap the X to go back to the previous screen.
6. To select how your object appears on the Merge Cube (when viewed in Object Viewer), select Cube. Here, you can change the size, rotation, and position of your object when viewed on the Merge Cube. Select Reset to go back to the default cube settings. 
7. Tap the X to go back to the previous screen.
8. To change the way your object appears in World Mode (when viewed in Object Viewer), select World. Here you can change the size, rotation, and position of your object when viewed in World Mode. Select Reset to go back to the default cube settings.
9. Tap the X to go back to the previous screen.
10. To edit the way your object thumbnail appears in the app, tap Thumbnail.

Using the pinching or zooming motion, resize your object inside the frame. You can also turn the object from side to side by slowly dragging your finger to the right or to the left. When your thumbnail is to your liking, tap the Capture button. Then press SAVE.

Add Multimedia Labels

Merge Creator lets you add multimedia labels to your objects! Follow the directions below to learn how.

1. From the app home screen, tap the object you wish to label 
2. Choose your label type (text, image, audio, or video)
3. For Text labels - tap Text then give your label and name and provide a description. Then tap your object where you’d like the label to appear. Press SAVE.
4. For Image labels, you will need to have a photo prepared in advance! Either take a photo with your device, save a photo you found online, or add an image you created to your photos. Tap Image then select the photo from your photo library. Give your label a name, tap the 3D model where you would like to place your label, then tap SAVE.
5. For Audio labels - tap Audio. If you already have an audio file ready, select Upload. If you’d like to record a new audio file, select Record then tap the circle. If you are happy with the audio label, press SAVE. Or, you can choose to Re-Record. Give your label a name, tap where you would like to put it on your object, and press SAVE.
6. For Video labels - tap Video. You must already have the video file ready saved to your camera roll. It can be a video you created, or a video you found online. Tap Video again, then select the video you want to add. Wait as your video processes, then give it a Title, tap the object to place your video label, then press SAVE. This may take a few minutes to process, depending on the file size of your label. 

To change the location of your labels: You can change the location of your labels at any time. To move the label number, tap your label, then tap edit. Tap the label number, then tap the location where you want to move it and it will move. To move the label itself, tap the label and drag it to where you want to move it. Then press SAVE. Wait a moment to let it process.

Change the Settings

The settings available in Merge Creator lets you have more control of your editing workspace. You can turn labels off or on, remove the grid, and even change the background color as you work on your object. You can also delete your object in Settings.

1. To get started with settings, select any object you scanned or uploaded by tapping it, then select Settings.
2. To turn the Labels or Grid ON or OFF while you work, simply tap them to toggle them off or on.

To change your background color, select Change Background, select a new color, then tap OK.

View, Hold and Place with Object Viewer

1. To view your 3D models with the multimedia labels, open the Merge Object Viewer app. 

2. Tap the 3 line menu on the upper left hand corner  , then under MY LIBRARY select Objects.

3. Select the object you wish to see

4. Wait a moment while it downloads, then select CUBE to hold it on the Merge Cube. Tap the multimedia labels on your device's screen to read, view, watch, and listen.

Select WORLD to place your object in the room around you. Tap the multimedia labels on the devices screen to read, view, watch and listen.

Share your Creations using the Merge Dashboard

You can share your objects with multimedia labels directly in the Merge Creator app (see section “Edit your 3D Model” above), but you can also share them using the Merge Dashboard (dashboard.mergeedu.com).

1. When you SCAN an object using Merge Creator, a folder called My Scans will be automatically generated under your Collections on the Merge Dashboard
2. To access your scans, select My Stuff from the left-side menu, then select My Collections --> My Scans
3. When you UPLOAD an object using Merge Creator, you will find your uploaded objects on the Merge Dashboard by selecting My Stuff --> Objects.

   

4. Tap the 3D object or scan to select it 

5. Tap "Share Options" then either copy the url, or print / screencast the QR code

Now that you know how to use the Merge Creator app, learn how to create collections of your 3D scans to share!