Microsoft 365 apps can forge 3D shapes and letters, but the effect is often less than satisfying. If you have to go the 3D route, just get the right perspective Microsoft WordIts features can be tedious. Fortunately, Microsoft 365 now supports 3D models. These files are 3D presentations that update perspective in real time, and there are dozens of files available through Microsoft’s archived images.
You won’t create 3D models in Microsoft Word, but you can insert and manipulate them in Word. In this document, I will show you how to work with 3D models in Microsoft Word documents. The results are more accurate and satisfying than anything you can create with Word’s features.
UNDERSTAND: Windows, Linux, and Mac commands everyone needs to know (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Microsoft 365, Office 2019, 2021, and Phone 10 apps support 3D models. We will be working in Word, but 3D models are also supported by PowerPoint, Excel and Opinion. Web applications do not support 3D modeling.
How to insert 3D models in Word
You won’t create 3D models in Word, but you can insert existing 3D models. 3D models are three-dimensional objects used in animation, simulation, and even production. 3D printers print 3D models in production. For example, the next time you need a crown, ask your dentist if they used a 3D printer to create it – many people do.
3D models in Word allow you to move the model to show different views. You can use them in printed and electronic materials such as brochures, flyers, and other desktop publishing type documents.
When you insert a 3D model into Word, you can manipulate it by rotating and tilting to see different perspectives, which will show other features. Let’s insert a 3D model and explore it:
- Click the Insert tab.
- In the Illustrations group, click 3D Model.
- From the drop-down menu, select Stock 3D Model. You can then purchase or create other 3D model files.
- In the results pane, click the Toys dialog box.
- Mold test (Picture A), and then click Insert.
Picture A
Figure BUG
Once the 3D model is in the Word document, you can manipulate it to get the look you want.
How to manipulate 3D models in Word
After inserting the mold, Word provides two tools to change the viewing angle. Red arrow (Figure BUG) points to the rotating handle you may already be familiar with. Use that handle to rotate the object 360 degrees. However, it will not change the point of view. To do that, you need the 3D control in the middle of the mold.
Click that control and start dragging it around to see different angles – perspective – showing more details about the object. In this case, if you move it enough, you will see that the dice have 21 pips, just like the real dice.
Drag the button down to see the top of the die. Drag the button up to see the bottom, as shown in SIZE. Drag left to show the right edge and drag the control right to show the left side. The easiest way to get used to the possibilities is to play with it for a while. Don’t forget that you can still use the swivel handle.
SIZE
Even though you have a 3D view, Word treats the model like any other graphic, so pretty much anything you can do with a regular graphic, you can do with a 3D model. Just select it and click the Contextual 3D Models tab. As you can see in VisualizationThe Accessibility, Arrange, and Size groups provide options and settings that you may already be familiar with.
Visualization
There are several options available only for 3D models:
- Adjustment settings allow you to insert and reset the 3D model. Selecting Reset returns the model to the newly inserted perspective.
- The 3D model view offers several preset views, most of which you can also achieve using 3D controls, but the presets are faster.
- The most interesting is the Pan & Zoom option, which allows you to increase and decrease the image in the frame.
How to use Pan & Zoom in Word
Working with 3D models in Word is not difficult. In just a few minutes, you will have a good feel for this feature. Perhaps the only feature new to you is Pan & Zoom. This feature allows you to control how the image fits into its frame.
Click Rotate & Zoom, then click and drag the object in the frame to move it. Use the Zoom arrow to the right to make the object appear larger or smaller in the frame.
Figure E shows the result of clicking Pan & Zoom and then moving the model to the right. As you can see, it’s a bit like cropping. Usually, you will lose part of the image when using Pane.
Figure E
Reset the die and then use the Zoom arrow to increase the die in the frame. As you can see in Figure F, losing half of the pips. You can also reduce the size of the object.
Figure F
How to send 3D models in Outlook
Outlook 2019 and newer supports 3D models in email messages. When creating a new email, click the Insert tab and select within the body. If replying to a message, click Pop-up to access the Insert tab. Double click to open email will not work. The receiver can only view the model.
How to create 3D models
Earlier, I mentioned that you will not use Microsoft Word to create 3D models. You can convert 2D shapes to 3D shapes, but doing so is tedious and these shapes restrict perspective. SmartArt also has 3D effects, but you’ll be working with basic letters and shapes that are better suited for flow charts and similar uses.
You can use Microsoft Paint 3D. Although limited, you can glimpse the possibilities. Using Paint 3D, choose 3D Shapes or 3D Library from the menu. In the right pane, use the multiple options to sketch a doodle or select an object. When sketching, you may have to connect points to create a 3D model.
It’s limited, but it’s a meaningful way to explore before investing in more powerful and expensive third-party software. If you want to try serious 3D modeling, check out some of the third-party products – there are many.
