First create an account. Click on the Register Free link at the top of any page.

After you click on the link you will be taken to this page where you can register as a member. Fill out the information requested and create a password.

THE URL

The first item you should notice when you arrive at your project page is that the title of the project is directly linked to the URL. If you change the title of your project at a later time a prompt will pop up and remind you that the URL will change with the title. If you have shared this URL, remember to update the person(s) or site(s) with the new URL. The old URL will go to a page not found. 

EDIT VIEW and DISPLAY VIEW

When you are setting up a project you must be in the Edit View to change or add text, photos or assets. The Display View will show you how your project will display once it is published.

THE CONTENT EDITOR TOOLBAR

When in the Edit View on your project page, both the Project Summary Area and the Project Detail Area have a pop-up Content Editor Toolbar which displays when you click into either box.

Some functions of the Content Editor Toolbar:

1. Save changes as you edit or restore original content
2. Choose text as heading or regular text and specify size
3. Choose text color or background color
4. Choose text style
5. Undo and redo
6. Basic cut, copy, paste functions
7. Search, replace, spell check
8. Insert lists
9. Collapsible Content (see below)
10. Indent
11. Alignment of text
12. Source – this tool is useful for those who know html code. Click here to edit in the Source Code. Using this tool you can toggle between the text box and the source code.
13. Insert a hyperlink, highlight the text and click on this symbol to add the link; add an anchor to your text
14. Add a picture, add YouTube video, Insert a video using flash, add a table
15. Add emoji or special character

ADDING A PROJECT SUMMARY

As always, be sure you are in the Edit View before adding a summary. The summary is the description that appears next to your main image when people are looking through all of the projects. The summary should briefly describe what your project is. When you type in the summary box the content will remain in draft mode (indicated by the draft background text) until you click on the SAVE icon (#1 above) in the Content Editor. Although it is possible to, it is not recommended that you include “inline images” in the summary section. Including inline images at this stage will affect the thumbnail image that appears on the list of projects.

After you save the content ion the Project Summary box, switch to the display view and check to make sure your text is there. Remember, you can edit your content at any time by logging into the system and navigating to your project.

ADDING PROJECT DETAILS

Project Details is meant to be a running journal on the project. Add to and edit this content as you progress with your project. This area can include any data, descriptions, and photos relevant to the project. This could be anything from the settings on your 3D printer to what material you used, to tests done to see how it compares to similar designs.

ADDING IMAGES

First, be sure you are in the Edit View mode. To upload photos for a project, click on SELECT IMAGES. This will bring up a box where you can drag and drop the image files or by clicking on the Select Files button you can choose the files you want to upload. Remember, you can add images to this section at any time as your project advances.

THE CAROUSEL

The Carousel is a revolving display for the images you want to include with your project. It appears on the right hand side of your Project page. This will be populated by the images you choose from those you have uploaded.

After uploading photos, (1) choose which image you want as the main image. In addition to being the first image in the Carousel, this will be the thumbnail that people see when looking through all of the projects. To add other images to the carousel, (2) simply choose those photos you want included in the carousel. (3) You do not have to include all the photos you uploaded in the carousel.

ADDING TAGS

(1) Under the Select Images button on the right hand side is a place to include Tags that will help others find your project(s). A tag is a label associated with your project. This identifying or descriptive marker(s) should be relevant to your project. To add a new tag click on the + sign and type in the tag name. Each tag you create for your project is visible under the Select button. Applying a tag or multiple tags to your project is optional.

ADDING ASSETS

(2) Assets are the files you use to print your 3D project. These can be any kind of file that is used to print or assist with completing the project. Note below that the author has included printer files (stl, stp), PDFs and even zip files. When you add an asset to your project, the system will automatically take all of the data it can from the file you upload and display it under Protected Asset Metadata. Some file types provide more metadata than others. When someone visits your project page all the files you have uploaded will be visible and available (based on the permissions you have established).

(3) Assets are added to the project the same way images are – either by a drag and drop method or by clicking on the Select Assets button and choosing your files.

(4) The X to the right of each asset will let you delete an asset at any time.

VERSION CONTROL – EDITING AND TRACKING CHANGES TO AN ASSET

When you want to make changes to an asset already in the system you can upload it as a newer version of the original asset.  This feature will allow you to track how many different versions you have gone through to get to your final one. This is the version control feature built into the makeSEA.

To utilize the version control feature, you will need to access the original asset, which can be found on your project page any time you are logged into the system. You must be in edit mode.

(1) Click on the original file showing up in the asset list. 

Clicking on the asset will take you to the next screen shown below. On this screen you will see the metadata related to your asset as well as the Version History. The version history changes as you save a new version of the asset. The original asset you uploaded was version 1.0. When you upload the next version it will show in the list as 1.1 then 1.2 etc.

(2) To upload the new asset click on the Edit tab.

The Edit tab will take you to the next screen below (3) where you will browse for and upload your new version of the asset. After you have uploaded the new asset it will show up as the newest version in the list.

Catapult and makeSEA allow anyone to share and collaborate using 3D content produced by most 3D design platforms using compatible devices including Magic Leap One, HoloLens (1,2), and Oculus Quest (1,2). To publish content to your XR compatible device and use the Catapult App you must first do the following:

1. Register with makeSEA and Create a Project.
2. Go to the native platform where you have created 3D content and export it in GLB format. Add these exported assets to the Project you have created in makeSEA.
3. Add team members to your project and set your preferred sharing mode to Private, Public, etc. See Section 5-Saving Your Project Page – for more information on these settings.

IMPORTANT:  Asset sharing in Catapult will not work if the Project is in Draft mode.  Please be sure the Project you wish to share is set to Private, Member, or Public mode before proceeding.

Now you are ready to download the Catapult App  The first screen you will see is shown below. Remember before you can use the app you must have completed the steps outlined in Red.

SETTING THE ANCHOR

The Anchor may be set in two ways.

1.On the first screen you will also be asked to set an anchor for your collaboration space. Follow the on-screen instructions and when you are ready, using the controller, point at the “Set Anchor” button and pull the trigger.

Or the Anchor may be set by using the Anchor Image shown below.

1. Download the image here: https://www.makesea.com/anchor and print the page, preferably on an 8.5″ x 11″ paper.
2. Follow the instructions on the printed page to determine the placement for your Catapult App.
3. Start Catapult on the Magic Leap and follow steps 3 and 4 to set the Anchor.

After setting the Anchor for your collaboration space you will login to Catapult using your makeSEA credentials. Using the controller point at the Login to makeSEA button and pull the trigger.

This will take you to the keyboard to enter your makeSEA credentials. After entering the username and password credentials for makeSEA point the controller and choose the Login button.

Note on the Login keyboard: Use Shift key if your login information requires capital letters. Server Settings button is only used to change the URL for Corporate/Enterprise clients.

If you are an Enterprise client and have chosen the Server Settings button you will see the screen below where you will enter your unique URL and then continue by choosing the Back to Login button.

Note that on login screen the Exit Sign will appear if you click on the gears in the upper left hand corner. This will exit you from the application.

BASIC CONTROLS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH

There are some basic controls that will help you understand how to navigate in the application when you open a project.

1. Conjure settings by making a fist in front of you. Then click the gear to fix the settings in place.
2. You will be prompted to anchor your environment before proceeding. The head of the virtual conference table serves as the anchor.
3. The bookshelf (or grid) of viewable objects in a conference space is to the right of the head of the table.
4. If more than 6 objects are checked in, the bookshelf will allow the Master of Ceremonies (MC), to paginate through them and take other participants along.  Become MC to change bookshelf pages by displaying the Settings and clicking on the Control located near the Settings Gears.  A blue Control indicates you are the MC.
5. Objects will grow slightly when moved from the bookshelf for better visibility. All participants can manipulate the objects in a scene. Use one of two methods to do this.

a. Place controller inside the object, pull and hold the trigger, and drag the object to a desired location. Release the trigger to leave the object where placed.

OR

b. Focus your eyes on the object you want to move. Use the Control Pad located at the top of the controller to manipulate the object.

I.   Press up/down to push/pull the object

II.  Press left/right to move the object side to side

III. Swipe up/down to move the object up or down

IV. Make a circle gesture to rotate the object

V.  Swipe left/right to shrink or enlarge the object

Shown below is an example of the assets in a project on the “bookshelf” or grid.

AFTER LOGIN

After login user will see My Project List as shown below. This shows all projects the user is a member of. To view the 3D assets for a project aim the controller at the project and pull the trigger. Choose a project to join a common collaboration space. Only team members can join projects marked as Private. 3D assets are displayed on a bookshelf and can be manipulated with the controller.

The arrow in the upper right corner will refresh the page. You may go to Public Projects by choosing the button on the bottom right hand corner.

Public Projects are visible to all users. On this screen you will also see a Showcase section that highlights projects that wow! This screen may also be accessed by clicking on the gears in the upper left hand corner and choosing Public Projects. To view the 3D assets for a project aim the controller at the project and pull the trigger. Again the assets will appear on a bookshelf.

After choosing a project to view the following two images will appear in sequence.

VIDEO STREAMING SUPPORT

Catapult allows the Master of Ceremonies to select from a list of compatible videos stored with any makeSEA Project in .MP4 format for display onto a placeable and scalable screen that all participants can view. 360 surround videos are also supported and may be played to wrap the project collaboration space in immersive video content.  A resolution of 720p or 1080p is recommended for on-screen video.  Surround video of up to 1.5K (1536 x 3072px, mono, spherical panoramic), is supported. Project video files should be uploaded with a file name extension “.mp4”.  Videos with a name including “_360.mp4”, are assumed to be surround videos by Catapult. Videos are selectable by the Master of Ceremonies from the Settings menu, which can be conjured by making a fist in front of your face.

SETTINGS

In the upper left hand corner of most screens you will see the gear icon. Clicking on this allows access to various settings as shown below.

Below is the screen you will see if you click on the Example tab under Settings. Choose the appropriate tab to view each. Use the back button to return to the settings tabs.

Screen depicting the General settings tab under Settings.

Help screen below is loaded from settings tab by clicking Help under Settings. By clicking on the detailed instructions you open a page on makeSEA.com with more detailed instructions.

Also under the Help tab you can view the Privacy Policy screen by clicking on the Privacy Policy link shown above. Please read the screen instructions visible when you click on the Privacy Policy button. These instructions are shown below.

You may exit Catapult temporarily or disconnect from the conference by choosing the Exit tab in settings. There are several ways to quit the application.

The Exit sign looks like the one below. This sign also appears at the foot of the table in your conference space when a user makes a fist over the Gears icon.

When you choose to Quit Catapult at any time. You will get a screen that looks like the one below. You can choose to Quit the application or Return to the previous screen from here.

MARK UP CONTENT FOR HELIO BROWSER AND MAGIC LEAP

The makeSEA Content Editor features a Magic Leap Prismatic markup tool that can be used to apply Prismatic display transforms and animations to content that is observable using the Magic Leap Helio Web browser when visiting the project page.

You can upload GLB, GLTF, and FBX models to the project (with or without textures), and use this tool to markup the object on the Project page so that it floats in space, spins, moves, animates, etc.

Once assets are added and marked up using the editor, visit the project page URL (or shortcut) from the Helio Web Browser on the Magic Leap device to interact with the content using standard Helio interactions (pick off the page, place, scale, rotate, etc.).

GLB formatted assets (compressed GLTF+bin packages), are ideal for use in makeSEA because they work across the broadest set of workflows.  GLBs can also be previewed in a standard Web browser by clicking on the details link for the asset.  GLTF 2.0 and GLB are rapidly becoming the standard for cross-platform packaging of 3D objects with materials, metadata, shading, and other features.

The preferred settings for most 3D authoring applications on save/export are:

• GLB (binary) format
• GLTF format version 2.0 compatible
• Embed all textures and materials when asked
• Use double-sided walls when asked
• Defaults scales work for most applications but if incorrect try order of magnitude +/- (e.g., 10x, 100x)
• Some CAD and BIM platforms may require swapping the default exported axis (usually Z)
• Try the default scale on export and adjust as needed; results will vary by source application and version

If your 3D authoring tool of choice does not support GLB natively, there may be a plugin you can install. Check the authoring tool’s app store, or, for more information on available plugins, applications, and conversion tools please see:

GLTF/GLB Supported Applications & Tools

If you are seeking support for a specific file format, we may be able to help.  Please email support@makesea.com and let us know your requirements.  We’ll do our best to help.

Suggestion:  Set the Helio Browser to Dark Mode for transparent display of articles “kiosk style”.  Try playing with font colors and object transformations to create floating information displays above real world objects that persist in space, even between Magic Leap shutdown/restarts.

CKEditor MLImport Guide

Overview of the MLimport Plugin:

Allows for the easy importation and manipulation of ml-model object

The mlimport plugin is designed to allow for the easy importation and manipulation of ml-model objects for insertion into a page.

Clicking the button located in the wysiwyg

Opens up the plugin:

There are four tabs that contain attributes for the ml-model:

• Basic – contains basic information about the ml-model and quick access to commonly changed attributes
• Style – contains attributes related to basic css styling  and ml-model specific styling to alter the location, size, and color of the model.
• Static Transforms – contains transformation attributes that are applied when the model is initialized, such as an initial rotation.
• Animated Transforms – contains transformation attributes that are applied over time, like the spinning of a model over a set duration.

BASIC TAB: includes some of the required attributes and a lot of attributes that are frequently changed.

The attributes include:

• Name – If an image thumbnail is not selected, the name is inserted:namethis is to allow for the easy selection/deletion of the ml-model and to mark where on the page the model is located.
• Id – The Id, when used in conjunction with the raycast boolean, identifies the object for use in a node raycast event

• Source URL – this is the source that will be displayed in the ml-model. Currently supported file formats are .fbx and .glb . Clicking the browse server button allows for navigation through projects and assets for selection of the source url.
• Image Thumbnail URL – This property overrides the name for use in allowing the easy selection/deletion of the ml-model and marking of where the model is located on the page.
• Visible – this checkbox allows the toggling of the ‘visibility’ attribute. When checked, visibility is set to ‘visible’ and when unchecked visibility is set to ‘hidden’
• Scrollable – this checkbox allows the toggling of the ‘scrollable’ attribute. The ‘scrollable’ attribute only renders model when scrolling through the viewport when set. Disabled by default. Ml-models with “scrollable=’true'” are only rendered when they are currently in the viewport and they stick to where they are at on the page. With “scrollable=’false'” the ml-model will scroll with the viewport.
• Raycast – this checkbox is used in conjunction with the id attribute. See https://creator.magicleap.com/learn/guides/prismatic-raycast for more details
• Extractable – this checkbox is a boolean that enables the model to be pulled out of the page and placed in the user’s environment. Checked: true, unchecked: false.
• Extractable Scale – The extracted scale is a number which allows the user to pass in a multiplier with the extracted model that will scale the model once extracted.

STYLE TAB: The style tab contains attributes related to basic css styling and ml-model specific styling to alter the location, size, and color of the model.

Attributes:

• Width – css attribute controlling the size along the x-axis.
• Height – css attribute controlling the size along the y-axis.
• Breadth – ml-model attribute controlling the size along the z-axis. If there is no breadth specified the model matches the size along the x-axis. The value of breadth could be in pixels (px), centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm) units.
• Left, Right, Top, Bottom, Position – all css attributes controlling the location of the model.
• Z-offset – Controls how far off the page the model will appear. By default, models are positioned forward on the z-axis. You should provide a:
  • positive value to position the model more towards the user
  • negative value to position the model away from the user

The value of z-offset supports pixels (px), centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm) CSS measurement units.

• RGBA – This allows you to set the red-green-blue-alpha value for the ml-model. RGB values range from 0-255 and the alpha value should be a float from 0 to 1. Red goes in rgba R, green in rgba G, and so on.

STATIC TRANSFORMS TAB: The static transforms tab contains transformation attributes that are applied when the model is initialized, such as an initial rotation. Each attribute contains an X,Y, and Z value.

Attributes:

• Model-scale – Sets the model scale within the Prism. By default model scale is calculated to be the maximum size of the Prism.
• Model-position – Sets the model position within the Prism. By default the model position is set to
• Prism-rotation – Rotate the prism by a specified amount of degrees.
• Rotation – Sets the model rotation within the Prism using Euler Angles.

ANIMATED TRANSFORMS TAB: The animated transforms tab contains transformation attributes that are applied over time, like the spinning of a model over a set duration. Each attribute has an x,y,z property, duration property, and track property.

Tracks:

Tracks allow you to queue your animations.

• If you want your animated transforms to run sequentially, place them on the same track (for example, track 1).
• If you want your animations to run simultaneously, place them on separate tracks (for example, track 1, track 2, and so on).

Attributes:

• move-to – Move the model within the Prism to the specified position (x,y,z) over the set duration.
• move-by – Move the model within the Prism by the specified position (x,y,z) over the set duration
• rotate-by-angles – Rotates the model over time by the specified angles.
• scale-to – scales the model over time by the specified scalar over the duration.
• spin – spins the model on the axes specified with a 1. If you want to spin relative to the y-axis, “x y z” would be “0 1 0”. My understanding is that the degrees is the amount of degrees spun per second.

EDITING: When an ml-model is placed on the page, you are able to right click it to edit any attributes you wish. The mlimport plugin will be populated with the same attributes as before and if they are changed a new ml-model will be inserted in its place.

Helpful links:

Prismatic API reference: https://creator.magicleap.com/learn/reference/public/v0.16.0/UIKit/index.html

Prismatic guide: https://creator.magicleap.com/learn/guides/prismatic-positioning-quads-and-scrollable-content

More information on the specific Prismatic transform controls and their impact to display is available here:

Magic Leap Prismatic Transform Controls

makeSEA Mixed Reality Workflow File Compatiblity Matrix

Your makeSEA Project space supports any file type for storage, versioning, and tracking. For live asset sharing (when not using a makeScene package), the best performance and forward compatibility is usually the GLB format, which can easily be saved from your favorite 3D design tool.  The following formats are compatible with XR collaboration using Catapult: