Spline 3D Tips: 3 Things Every Beginner Should Know

When diving into the world of 3D design with Spline, it can feel overwhelming to get started. What tools should you use first? What shortcuts will save you time? In this guide, I’ll share three essential tips I wish I knew when I started using Spline. These beginner-friendly insights will help you elevate your designs and speed up your workflow. Let’s get started!

1. Matcaps and Bump Maps: Quickly Transform Textures and Surfaces

When you first create an object in Spline—like a simple sphere—it might look basic and uninspiring. The secret to giving objects texture, personality, and depth lies in Matcaps and Bump Maps.

Matcaps

Matcaps (Material Capture) are a game-changer because they allow you to quickly transform the look of an object with minimal effort:

1. Create an Object: Start by creating a sphere (or any shape) in Spline.
   • Click the + icon, choose the shape, and hold Shift to scale it proportionally.
2. Add a Matcap:
   • On the right-hand panel, navigate to Materials and click + to add a material layer.
   • In the dropdown menu, select Matcap.
3. Customize: Matcaps drastically change the appearance of your object. You can:
   • Upload custom textures or images (from tools like Runway or OpenAI).
   • Use AI tools like AI Generate or AI Style Transfer to create unique effects.
   • Adjust blending modes (e.g., overlay or normal) and opacity for more control.
4. Masking for Impact:
   • Click on your object and apply a Mask to isolate the effect while removing unwanted colors.

Example: With a single Matcap layer, you can make a sphere look metallic, glossy, or even cartoon-like—all in seconds.

Bump Maps

Bump Maps add artificial textures to your objects without impacting load times. Here’s how you can use them:

1. Select an Object: Create another shape—like a sphere—and navigate to the Materials panel.
2. Add Textures: From Spline’s material library, choose patterns like:
   • Noise
   • Marble
   • Wood Grain
   • Cartoon Effects
3. Adjust Settings: Switch the object’s lighting from Phong to Physical, then fine-tune:
   • Roughness (e.g., set it to 0.5)
   • Intensity (increase to 100 for stronger effects)
4. Result: Your object will appear textured—like weathered marble or textured wood—but it’s all artificial, saving on performance.

These two tools, Matcaps and Bump Maps, completely change how your designs look and feel—even if you’re just starting out.

2. Using Figma for Seamless Imports

One of the most powerful things about Spline is its ability to work seamlessly with tools like Figma. This is especially handy when you want to create detailed 2D designs and convert them into 3D objects.

How to Use Figma with Spline:

1. Design in Figma: Start by creating your design (like a pattern or simple shape).
   • For example, you could design a repeating pattern of seeds for a strawberry texture.
2. Export the Design:
   • Save the Figma design as an SVG or image file.
3. Import into Spline:
   • In Spline, click +, select Image or SVG, and upload your exported design.
4. Apply and Adjust:
   • For images, set the material to Spherical (useful for wrapping textures around spheres).
   • For SVGs, extrude the shape into 3D:
     • Click the shape, choose Extrude, and add Bevels for a polished 3D look.

Example: By creating simple shapes in Figma—like hearts, patterns, or logos—you can quickly bring them into Spline, extrude them, and manipulate them in 3D. This workflow saves time and gives you more control.

3. Cloning for Efficiency: Save Time on Repetitive Designs

Manually duplicating objects in Spline can be tedious, especially if you need them arranged in a pattern—like bolts on a circular object or tiles on a wall. Instead, use Spline’s Cloner tool.

How to Use the Cloner Tool:

1. Create the Object: Start with the shape you want to clone (e.g., a cylinder for a bolt).
2. Apply a Cloner:
   • Select the object, then click Cloner in the settings.
3. Choose a Cloning Type:
   • Radial: Perfect for creating circular patterns.
   • Grid: Ideal for rows and columns.
4. Customize the Layout: Adjust parameters like:
   • Number of clones
   • Radius for radial clones
   • Spacing and starting positions
5. Result: You’ll get a clean, perfectly spaced layout without manually copying and pasting each object.

Example: If you’re building a 3D camera with bolts, using the Cloner tool allows you to place six bolts evenly in a circle in seconds. This saves time and ensures precision.

Final Thoughts

Starting with Spline can feel like stepping into a new world, but these three tips—Matcaps & Bump Maps, Figma Imports, and Cloning—will make the journey smoother. By mastering these tools early, you can dramatically improve your designs and streamline your workflow.

If you found these tips helpful and want more, check out my newsletter Spline Time 3D where I share weekly insights on my 3D projects. You can also explore my work on the Spline Community or visit my website at jackredley.design.

Thanks for reading, and happy designing in Spline!