正如我从掩盖sketchfab和最近的一个对公司首席执行官Alban Denoyel的访谈, the 3D content site has its sights set on the entire 3D ecosystem. So, while Sketchfab may allow users to embed 3D printable models on an increasing number of web platforms, including Facebook, the 3D repository also wants to make itself useful to AR, VR, and every other 3D thing under the sun –像微软的Hololens混合现实设备。而且，刚才这家初创公司已经发展到第四维度，将动画嵌入到他们越来越有能力的平台中。
动画预览, astheir blog explains, gives users the ability to upload animated models, with bones or solids, in FBX format. Currently, the feature is in beta and Sketchfab isinviting users to test it out, but, soon, the company will be expanding the feature to everyone. Alban says of the new release,“动画支持是Sketchfab作为产品的重要一步，它几乎是第四维度。这意味着您现在可以讲述迷你互动故事并在线分享它们。我们希望成为您3D文件的最佳场所，因此，在您突破创意界限时，我们将继续改善SketchFab。我迫不及待地想看看您展示的内容并通过动画讲述！”
由于各种原因，此功能对于3D打印行业很重要。一方面，设计师被吸引到4D打印越来越多，创建随时间变化的对象，以使其从打印机中以功能齐全的项目形式出现。在高端研究中，这可能最终需要机器人系统，这些机器人系统可以立即从印刷床上飞出，但是在近期，像神经系统和丹尼特·贝利格（Danit Peleg）这样的服装设计师正在打印服装，这些服装只有一旦从机器上卸下并展开就可以升级。一旦真正探索了4D打印的现象，就必须使用一种展示这些四维功能的方法。
从较大的角度来看，3D打印逐渐被整合到较大的3D生态系统中。Autodesk称其为现实计算，而HP则称其为混合现实，Microsoft使用“混合现实”一词。无论您称之为什么，该概念都涉及数字和物理数据的无缝互换，通过3D扫描仪将现实数据带入数字世界，并通过3D打印将数字数据建模并将数字数据发送到物理世界中。为了体验和操纵这些数据，需要VR/AR系统和触觉设备，使用户可以更好地与数字世界进行交互。
由于物理世界是一个流畅的动物（涵盖数字世界），因此必须准确地代表Sketchfab之类的平台上的时间。这尤其正确游戏开发人员and电影制作人turn to 3D printing as a form of custom, inventory-less merchandising, in which players and viewers create personally-tailored products that are 3D printed via local desktop 3D printers or 3D printing services (see the Company of Heroes model above). Of course, it won’t be limited to big brands, with individual users creating their own animations, too. Alban’s Gangam Style below was created with the Structure Sensor and the itSeez3D app, demonstrating just how easily ordinary users might be able to make their own animations.
And, even if you don’t care about any of this stuff, you can just be wowed by the idea of 3D animated .gifs! Sketchfab is really with it, as far as I’m concerned. When the rest of the flat and stagnant digital world will catch up, who knows?
For more examples of 3D animated .gifs, check ’em out on动画预览页。
