UPDATED: Play Animated 3D Models in Word, PowerPoint, and *Excel*

Anonymous
2018-10-22T20:49:38+00:00

Hey Insiders!

My name is Aimee, and I'm a PM in the Office Graphics team. I’m excited to announce support for animated 3D models in PowerPoint, Word and Excel on both Mac and Windows PC. This new media type can help you get creative, elevate storytelling and build highly immersive documents. To get you started, we've created a library of over 50 animated models available in Office. Enjoy :)

Support for animated 3D models is rolled out to Office 365 Subscribers on:

- PowerPoint and Word on Windows PC: Version 1809 (Build 16.0.102827)

  • Excel on Windows PC: Version 1904 (Build 16.0.11526)
  • PowerPoint/Word/Excel on macOS: Build 16.24.226

This feature is not available on Office Perpetual, namely Office 2019 or 2016. 

Getting Started

STEP 1

Firstly, you'll need to insert an animated model.

Navigate to Insert Tab > 3D Models > From Online Sourcesto peruse Office's library of 3D models.

In the dialogue box, click the All Animated Models category. Insert any that catches your eye. There's novel characters, education-focused examples, realistic animals and many more to pick from:

Tip: All animated models are badged with the ‘running man’ to easily identify:

Alternatively, insert your own animated model if you have one, via the Insert Tab > 3D Models > From File .

Office accepts .gltf and .fbx formats for animated models. Currently only skeletal animations are supported, with morph and node animation support coming very soon. Let us know via Send a Smile in the Office app if there are any issues with your insert.

STEP 2

Your inserted model will now animate in the editor!

STEP 3

To Play/Pause the animation, right-click on the model and select Play/Pause on the Floatie:

Tip: To quickly play/pause, select the model and hitspacebar

STEP 4

Animated models can have multiple animation scenes. To explore these, select the model and navigate to the Format Tab > Scenes:

Tip: To quickly explore the animation scenes, select the model and hitCtr + Tab to toggle through the animations

Feedback

We are actively working on this feature in Office, and your feedback is key to guiding improvements. Use Send A Smile in the Office app to let us know what you think. I read and appreciate all feedback that filters my way. Your thoughts are valuable to making this feature great.

Microsoft 365 Insider | Program announcements and registration | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-05T12:09:06+00:00

    it is fun

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-12T05:44:54+00:00

    I keep getting an error message when I try to insert Stock 3D Models. It loads all the catergories and search bar. If I type in the search bar, or if I click on a category it gives me this message:

    "Something went wrong. Please try again."

    I did an update, restarted, checked my internet connection and still getting the error message.

    Susan

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-31T03:20:11+00:00

    A while back, I had trouble figuring out why my Blender animations wouldn't show up in PowerPoint. Here's a quick tutorial video, demonstrating how to add an armature, parent your mesh, animate the bone in pose mode, and export. I hope it helps!

    https://youtu.be/ggWlDs-Pxo0

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-09-16T07:14:13+00:00

    As a mechanical engineer my design reviews have become exponentially better with 3d models. I often need to do exploded views which needs morph or node animations. Not having this feature and knowing that its not being developed is disheartening.

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-03T22:41:52+00:00

    Very disappointing but not unexpected after a year or more of no additional 3D PowerPoint development.  I have long since dropped my plans to integrate PowerPoint into my Product Showcasing presentations as it simply is not a viable alternative with all its present shortcomings.

    If 3D in PowerPoint is to be considered anything other than a toy, then node and morph animations,  as well as lighting control, are essential. As Forest Walter posted, the skeletal system is indeed way too tedious.   For many types of animations it is not useful.

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