SceneCaster FAQ
About SceneCaster
What is SceneCaster?
SceneCaster is the ultimate destination for creating and sharing 3D scenes on the web. It is a place of discovery where 3D content, social media and personal narrative combine to create a unique online community. You may be a creative professional who derive real-world utility from 3D media, or you simply enjoy 3D visualization - either case, SceneCaster is for you.
Is SceneCaster a virtual world?
No. SceneCaster contains fragments of virtual world like spaces but purposely avoids the complexity of virtual world experiences. SceneCaster is designed as an accessible form of immersive 3D media.
What is a scene?
A scene is a 3D space that you design for your own entertainment or for professional reasons. It can be reality or fantasy, at home or at work, insider of outside; it is limitless. Scenes may even include a voice narrative that describes the scene or tells some kind of entertaining story.
System Requirements
How do I download the SceneCaster application?
Our application is guaranteed 100% spyware and adware free.
- Sign up as a member
- Click on the Make A Scene tab
- If you have a pop-up blocker and it is turned on
A notification appears under your toolbar 'Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here.'
To continue - Click the notification bar
- Select 'Always allow pop-ups from this site'
- Confirm
- Choose if you want to start your scene from entering dimensions, from a template or from scratch and hit the 'Go' button.
- In Internet Explorer, click on the yellow bar that appears at the top if the window and select 'Install' and continue through the installation prompts.
- In Firefox click on 'Install Application' and follow the installation prompts, and then click on 'Launch Application'
What are the minimum system requirements?
- Operating System: Windows 2000, XP, Vista
- Browser: IE 6.0, Firefox 2.0
- Processor: Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent AMD
- RAM: 256 MB
- Software: Flash 8 player
What browsers are supported?
Internet explorer is supported on Windows XP and Windows Vista. Firefox is supported only on Windows XP.
What operating systems are supported?
Windows XP, Windows Vista.
Signing Up
How much does membership cost?
Nothing. SceneCaster membership is free.
Is there a limit to the number of scenes I can create or save?
No, there is no limit. You can create and save as many scenes as you wish.
Is there an age restriction?
No.
Do I pay for 3D objects I use in my scenes?
No. All objects are free. In the future, we plan to offer premium content at competitive rates.
Will my personal information be seen by other people or companies?
SceneCaster is committed to protecting your privacy. Please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for details.
Managing Your Account
What if I forgot my password?
- Go to the login area at the upper right hand corner of the homepage
- Click Forgot your password
- Follow the online instruction
- The password will be sent to your Email account
What if I forgot my user name?
- Go to the login area at the upper right hand corner of the homepage
- Click Forgot your user name
- Follow the online instruction
- The user name will be sent to your Email account
How do I change my password?
- Sign in to SceneCaster
- Click Edit Profile at the upper right hand corner
- Enter your new password
- Enter your new password again
- Click Change to update your profile
Can I change my user name?
No, your user name cannot be changed.
Creating Scenes
How do I get started?
- Sign into SceneCaster
- Click on Make a Scene tab
- Select to create an interior or an exterior scene
- Select 1 of 3 ways to build your scene: from scratch, with walls, or use one of SceneCaster's templates
More Information
- For an overview of SceneCaster, check out our Tour Guide
- For step-by-step instructions, check out the extensive Help section, including Animated Tutorials
What is a catalog?
A catalog is a collection of 3D objects that you can insert into your scenes. SceneCaster catalog offers a variety of interior and exterior objects, including sponsored catalogs and Google 3D objects. SceneCaster catalog is updated on a regular basis, providing members with unlimited ways to create and customize 3D scenes.
What is an object?
Objects are 3D items you use to create your scenes. For instance, a chair for your interior scenes, or a fence for your exterior scenes.
How do I find out more about an object?
When you select an object, information about that object appears at the lower left hand corner of the scene. You can even write a note by clicking on the Note tab.
How do I insert objects into a scene?
By browsing
- On the Catalog panel, click the first drop down list
- Select interior objects or exterior objects
- Click on subsequent drop down list(s) until a list objects appears
- Click and drag an object into the scene
- Click to insert the object
By searching
- On the Catalog panel, click on the Search tab
- Enter a product name
- Click Search; matching objects will appear
- Click and drag an object into your scene
- Click to insert the object into your scene
What are Google 3D objects?
The Google 3D Warehouse is a repository of 3D models owned and operated by Google. SceneCaster integrates Google 3D Warehouse to allow you to import 3D models from Google into your scenes.
How do I include Google 3D objects in my scene?
- Click the Google 3D Objects tab above the toolbar
- Search the Google Warehouse for items you would like to import into your scene
- Double click the item to import
- Follow the online instruction to define attributes of the object for your scene
Which 3D model file formats are supported?
SceneCaster supports importing models that are created in Google Sketchup (.skp files).
Can I use 3D model content from third party sources on SceneCaster?
Yes, you can import any model created in Google Sketchup by uploading the model to the Google 3D Warehouse and then downloading them to SceneCaster.
How do I import personal pictures into a scene?
This is not supported at this time
Does SceneCaster support streaming video in a scene?
No, not at this time.
Can I buy or sell real products through SceneCaster?
Yes, see the 'Shopping on SceneCaster' section of the FAQ.
Sharing Scenes
How do I share my scenes? Can other people modify them?
You can choose to share your scenes with everyone or keep them to yourself. You can also allow or not allow people to copy and modify your scene.
- To share your scenes with all SceneCaster members, save the scene as 'Public'
- To keep your scenes to yourself only, save the scene as 'Private'
- To prevent others from modifying your scene, mark the scene as 'View only'
You can edit the setting anytime by launching the saved scene from My Scenes.
Note: Your scenes can also be shared on Facebook and Flickr.
Can I email my scenes?
Yes, you can send an email to any person with a link back to the scene from the scene details page.
Can I export a scene to another website?
Yes. Using the Snapshot feature in the application, you can create an image file to upload to another website. Image files represent your scenes as pictures and are not interactive.
Note: Please check the terms of use and policy of the third party website to which you will upload the picture. Fees may apply.
Where can I view scenes created by other people?
Click the Explore Scenes tab to browse creations by other SceneCaster members.
Can I copy or modify scenes created by other people?
Yes, unless the scene creator has marked the scene 'View Only'.
What are 'My Scenes' and 'Favorite Scenes'?
My Scenes is your personal area that stores scenes you created, as well as other people's scenes you have marked as your favorites.
Using Facebook
What is Facebook?
Facebook is a social networking website that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload photographs, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet. For more information or to sign up for free membership, go to www.facebook.com.
Can I share my scenes on Facebook?
Yes, if you are already a SceneCaster member click on 'Edit Profile' in the login header and then hit the 'Go' button in the Facebook section. If you don't already have a SceneCaster.com account you can go directly to Facebook and add the SceneCaster Facebook application.
Can I modify my scenes on Facebook?
Yes, you can modify any of your scenes from within Facebook after you've installed the SceneCaster Facebook application.
Can I create new scenes on Facebook?
Yes, you can create a new scene from within Facebook once you've installed the SceneCaster Facebook application.
Using Flickr
What is Flickr?
Flickr is a photograph sharing website, web services suite, and an online community platform.
Can I share my scenes on Flickr?
Yes, if you have a Flickr account you can post photos of your scene to your Flickr photo set. To post a photo click on 'Edit info' in the scene details page and then click on 'Upload this project image to Flickr'
Shopping on SceneCaster
What can I shop for on SceneCaster?
Millions of items are available for purchase through SceneCaster. When you have an object selected, click on the 'View Results' link in the Commerce Bar at the bottom of the window and you will see relevant Amazon.com or Ebay.com items to what you have selected. You can then click on the item of interest to launch a new browser window and continue the purchase.
How do I pay for shopping?
To shop for Ebay or Amazon, you must have valid Ebay or Amazon accounts. Please see Ebay registration and Amazon registration for details.
Both websites accept various payments methods, including PayPal and credit cards.
Personalizing
What is an Avatar?
An Avatar is an online user's visual representation of himself or herself. A SceneCaster Avatar will personalize your profile - and attach that special signature to every scene you create.
How do I create my personal Avatar?
You may create your SceneCaster Avatar during or after your membership registration.
To create your Avatar:
- Sign into SceneCaster
- Click on Edit Profile at the upper right hand corner
- To build the Avatar
- Select attributes (e.g. Male or female, hair style, glasses)
- Adjust attributes (e.g. size of facial features, eye color)
- Click Done when you have built the desired Avatar
- To add a voice (optional)
- Click on one of the recording methods
- Follow the onscreen instruction
- Click Done when you have finished adding a voice
- Click Save when you have built your Avatar
(For more details, see how do I add a voice to my Avatar)
How do I change my Avatar?
You may change your Avatar anytime
- Sign into SceneCaster
- Click on Edit Profile at the upper right hand corner
- Make changes
- Click Save when you have completed your changes
Can I have multiple Avatars?
No, not at this time
Can I use my SceneCaster Avatar on other websites?
Yes, visit www.oddcast.com for more information.