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Core Concepts

This guide will outline core concepts of the Core3D API.

Table of Contents

• Resources
  • Upload
  • Model
  • Design
  • Generation
  • Export
• Glossary
  • dtf / dtg
  • Platform

Resources

Upload

An Upload represents any file in the Core3D system: Model GLBs, Export ZIPs, screenshot PNGs, etc. You can upload your own images and files to the system for certain use-cases, for example, a company logo PNG to be applied as a graphic in a design generation.

Generation

A Generation embodies a process which produces new content: images, Designs, and more. There are two types of Generations at the moment:

• type: image, which will produce AI-generated artwork / images to be used in Designs or elsewhere.
• type: design, which will produce new Designs.

New types of Generations may be added in the future.

Model

A Model represents a 3D model, at the core of which is a GLB. Models carry with them certain capabilities which enable usage in different scenarios.

For example, a Model with the dtf capability can be exported for all-over-print products on various on-demand platforms (Printful, Spring, etc.). Other capabilites include: USDZ compatibility, merchandising types (e.g. folded or hanging versions), external platform compatibility (e.g. Roblox-compatible), and more.

A Model may be linked to another Model to extend its capabilities. You may create a Design using a digital-only Model, but as long as it has links to another Model with the dtf capability the Design can be reprojected onto the linked Model and exported for on-demand printing.

Design Document

Data that instructs the Core3D SDK how to apply textures and modify behavior of a Model. The Core3D SDK is the best reference for the full scope of what's available here, which includes but is not limited to: repeated images AKA "patterns", single motifs AKA "graphics", underlying fabrics like Cotton or Linen AKA "materials", and more. Design Documents can be built programmatically or altered by hand, but the easiest way to create and/or modify the data is with the Core3D SDK.

Design

A Design is the combination of a Model and a Design Document, which together result in a textured 3D GLB.

Export

An Export will take a Design and produce output that's suitable for the requested "type". There are two types of Exports at the moment:

• type: dtf, which will output 300 DPI images of each piece of a target garment to be used for on-demand printing.
• type: dtg, which will output 300 DPI images of the printable areas of a target garment.

New types of Exports may be added in the future.

Glossary

dtf / dtg

Used in Export lingo as well as Model capabilities. These describe different on-demand printing processes:

• dtg means "direct-to-garment" where a complete garment is run through a printer. Think graphic tee where the print area is limited to a rectangle on the front and back.
• dtf means "direct-to-fabric" where a roll of fabric is run through a printer before the garment is cut out and sewn together. You can print all the way to the seams with this approach.

Platform

Often used to describe a destination for the content you produce on Core3D. It can represent on-demand production houses like Printful and Spring, game engines like Roblox, and more.

Next Guide — Generate An Image →