Nira Quickstart Guide

Prerequisites

• A Nira account (free 15-day trial, no credit card required)

• A supported 3D file (OBJ, FBX, GLB, DAE, ABC, PLY, or STL) — or a LAS/LAZ/E57 point cloud

• Optionally: texture files (JPG or PNG) if your mesh requires them

• A standard web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge)

Step 1: Create Your Account (1 minute)

1. Visit nira.app

2. Click the Get Started Free button

3. Enter your email address

4. Create a password (minimum 8 characters)

5. Click Sign Up

6. Check your email inbox for a verification link and click Confirm Email

You now have a free 15-day trial. No credit card is required to begin.

ℹ️ Note: Your trial includes full access to all Individual plan features (3D viewing, measurements, callouts, and sharing). After 15 days, you'll need to subscribe to keep accessing your assets. See Trial FAQ & Subscribing Guide for pricing details.

Step 2: Prepare Your File (2 minutes)

If you have a 3D mesh:

1. Locate your mesh file (OBJ, FBX, or GLB)

2. If your mesh has textures, gather the texture JPG/PNG files in the same folder

3. Ensure all filenames match exactly (except the extension)

   • ✓ Correct: model.obj, model.jpg

   • ✗ Incorrect: model.obj, model_texture.jpg

If you have a point cloud:

1. Locate your LAS, LAZ, or E57 file

2. Point clouds do not require companion files

3. File size limit: up to 5 GB per asset

Uncertain about your file type? See Supported Data & File Types for the complete list.

Step 3: Upload Your Asset (3 minutes)

Upload via Web Browser

1. Log in to nira.app

2. Click the + Create Asset button in the top right

3. Click Upload Files (or drag-and-drop your files directly onto the page)

4. Select your mesh and texture files (if any)

5. Click Open

The upload will begin. You should see a progress bar showing the percentage complete.

Upload Status Indicators

⚠️ Warning: Do not close the browser tab while files are uploading. Upload will continue if your browser connection drops, but it's safest to keep the tab open until you see "Ready" status.

Step 4: View Your Asset (2 minutes)

1. Once your asset shows Ready status, click on the asset name

2. Your 3D model will load in the Nira viewer

3. Navigate using your mouse or trackpad:

   • Rotate: Click and drag

   • Pan: Right-click and drag (or hold Spacebar + click and drag)

   • Zoom: Scroll up/down (or pinch on trackpad)

4. Explore the measurement and callout tools in the left sidebar.

Learn more about navigation controls

Step 5: Share Your Asset (2 minutes)

Create a Shareable Link

1. While viewing your asset, click the Share button in the top right

2. Choose a sharing option:

   • Public Link — Anyone with the link can view (no password needed)

   • Inspector Link — Viewers can see the 3D model and add their own annotations

   • Password Protected — Viewers must enter a password you set

   • Private Sharing — Invite specific people via email with assigned roles

Copy and Send the Link

3. Click Copy Link or Copy Inspector Link

4. Paste the link into an email, chat message, or any communication channel

5. Send it to your colleague

Your colleague can now view your asset without needing a Nira account.

ℹ️ Note: Public and password-protected links work on phones and tablets. If you're sharing with someone outside your organization, Public Link is the simplest option. For sensitive projects, use Password Protected or Private Sharing instead.

Not sure which sharing option to use? See Share Options Overview

Step 6: Add a Measurement or Callout (Optional, 2 minutes)

Once your asset is uploaded and you're viewing it:

Create a Distance Measurement

1. Click the Measure tool (ruler icon) in the left toolbar

2. Click on your 3D model to set the start point

3. Click again to set the end point

4. A distance measurement will appear

5. Measurements are included in PDF reports if you share with your team

Add a Callout (Annotation)

1. Click the Callout tool (speech bubble icon) in the left toolbar

2. Click on a location in your 3D model

3. Type a note or select a callout type (Defect, Annotation, etc.)

4. Click Save Callout

5. Your colleagues will see this annotation when they open the shared link

What's Next?

Now that you've uploaded and shared your first asset, here are the most common next steps:

• Learn about file formats & limitations: Supported Data & File Types explains what works best for meshes, point clouds, 3DGS, and orthomosaics

• Troubleshoot upload issues: Upload Troubleshooting covers stalled uploads, file errors, and missing textures

• Export your assets: Deliverables & Exports shows how to generate PDF reports, screenshots, and videos

• Understand trial to paid: Trial FAQ & Subscribing Guide explains what happens when your trial ends and how to subscribe

• Learn advanced features: Measurements, Callouts, and Asset Compare

Common Questions

Q: Do I need any special software installed? A: No. Nira works in any modern web browser on any device. No plugins, downloads, or GPU requirements.

Q: Can I upload multiple files at once? A: Yes — select multiple files in the file picker and they will all upload together (if they form a single asset, like a mesh + textures).

Q: What if my upload fails? A: See Upload Troubleshooting. Most failures are due to unsupported file types or missing companion files.

Q: What happens when my trial ends? A: You will lose access to your assets until you subscribe. See Plans & Feature Comparison for pricing.