I’m very new to Blender and I’ve created a simple model of a box with a separate lid. I’ve applied PBR materials and everything looks great in my Blender viewport and my final render.
However, when I try to upload my model to Sketchfab, the box appears completely broken and scattered (exploded). I’m sure I’ve made some beginner mistakes with how I prepared the model.
Could you please help me identify what I might have done wrong?
What I think the problem is (and what I tried):
Preparation Mistake: I suspect a mistake with the two separate parts (box and lid). I did try joining the box and lid together (Ctrl+J) and then uploading the new file, but the problem still happened.
Export Mistake: I tried exporting the model in both FBX and OBJ formats, but the result was the same broken model on Sketchfab.
Correctness: The model looks correct in Windows 3D Viewer, so I think the geometry is fine, but Sketchfab breaks it.
— IMPORTANT NOTE — As a new user, the forum prevents me from uploading images or the Blender file. If it would help diagnose the problem, please let me know the best way to share the screenshots and the .blend file with you! --------------------------
What is the first thing I should check in Blender to fix this common beginner mistake?
you might try the awesome forum search function (top right –icon)… this will give you the following for this search words → sketchfab blender export …
Of course sketchup has also some doku on how to prepare the model and some FAQ.
This might be easier to tell then take you by the hand step by step but if you have some specific problem then then properly someone can help.
According upload… just spend some more minutes and read one of the search suggestions and you will be able to upload some <5MB file… it’s only for spam protection.
I have already extensively searched the forum and tried all common solutions (Ctrl+J, Ctrl+A, FBX/OBJ export). The problem is very persistent.
Also, just to clarify: the model was made entirely in Blender, not Sketchup.
I believe this is a deeper issue related to Blender’s data blocks. I will try to follow the search advice to find out how to unlock the file upload feature so I can share my .blend file.
You may have to elaborate this “exploding thing” to get a more suited answer. And of course one of the “first things” which comes to my mind is → apply scale…
You may also choose any sharing site and post the link here… just be sure that it is accesible… some people had posted links and one had to login at google or the URL was shown as not correct from the upload site itself…
Thank you for clarifying the sharing process. I have uploaded all necessary files (Blender file, broken Sketchfab image, and correct render) to a single, accessible link.
The issue persists even after applying all standard fixes (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+J). Please check the file.
Thank you very much for your answer. Following your instructions, I completely removed the displacement connections. I exported it as FBX, but when I uploaded it to Sketchfab, I now get an “Error 13” message. I don’t know what mistakes I am making or how to fix them. I apologize if I am taking up too much of your time, but I really need help.
I believe the source of these problems stems from my lack of Blender knowledge. Therefore, there’s no point in trying to understand the causes of these problems right now. I’m new to Blender. To save you any further trouble, I’d like to ask one last question. Could you recommend a resource where I can learn Blender? Thank you.
Yes… here… just look at the tutorial category… there are also a lot of tuorials in the web… some simple do things step by step… which does not realy “educate”… some explain… but the most benefitial is do just do it…
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–icon)… this will give you the following for this search words → 
