KB78610768: Studio Store Visualizer - What are projects, templates and libraries and how are they linked together

Question

I would like to share a Store Visualizer project with another site, but don't know which files I need to send in order for the other person to be able to open the full project on his/her system.
Is there any way to easily take a Store Visualizer project, and all its associated parts, and use it on various machines?

Answer

The first time you create a new virtual store, you're asked to save the lighting and floor choice you've made as a Project Template before you can start. These project templates are by default saved in the ~/Documents/Store Visualizer 12/Templates/Virtual3D/ folder. Both .vtpr file (the actual project file) and a .3dw file (the 3D environment with floor and lighting information file) will be saved.

If you now use this template to start a new project (i.e. 'dropped light panels, white stone tiles' template) and save this as a project (by default) in the ~/Documents/Store Visualizer 12/Projects folder, then only a .vtpr file is saved. But this .vtpr file is still linked to the .3dw file from the Templates folder.

● Projects are by default saved in the ~/Documents/Store Visualizer 12/Projects folder. They have the .vtpr file extension. These project files are always linked to their 3D environment which is a .3dw file (saved together with the template in the Templates folder).

● Project Libraries are by default saved inside the project (.vtpr) file. They are not found on disk and will always be loaded when opening the project.

● External Libraries (i.e. when creating a new Library in a Project) are by default saved in the ~/Documents/Store Visualizer 12/Libraries folder. They have the .l3dw file extension. These libraries can be referenced in projects when they are created or loaded into that project and the project is saved afterwards. They can also be used /exchanged separately, i.e. by loading them in other Projects too.

So in case you need to send a Store Visualizer project, always send the associated .3dw file from the Templates folder. In case you've created/loaded external libraries into your project (not the projects library which is embedded in the project), then provide also the .l3dw files from the Libraries folder.

i.e. when you have a project with three external libraries, you'll need to take the .vtpr file, the linked .3dw file and the three .l3dw library files.

In case you're no longer sure which .3dw file is linked to your project, you can always check what .3dw file your project is associated with by doing the following:

• Click the small info icon located at the bottom left in Store Visualizer. Or,
  

  

• Go to System tab > Current project section > Advanced drop-down menu > Project information > Scene tab.

On Mac systems, the filepath is not completely visible. Hence, just position the cursor on the text line and use the arrow keys to scroll to the right. This way you can see what .3dw file is linked to the current project.