How to make a 360° turntable video of a 3D model (in your browser)
In short: a turntable video rotates a 3D model through a full 360° in a smooth, seamless loop. To make one without keyframing or video editing, open Shot3D in your browser, import your model, choose a look preset and click Export → Turntable video. You choose the duration (3 to 30 seconds), frame rate (24, 30 or 60 fps), resolution (up to 1080p on Pro or 4K on Studio), and whether the model spins or the camera orbits. The H.264 MP4 is rendered frame by frame on your device.
Turntables are the most convincing way to show a 3D model. A still image can hide problems; a full rotation can't. That's why buyers on 3D marketplaces trust them, why portfolio sites like ArtStation are full of them, and why they perform so well as short videos on social media.
The traditional way to make one, though, is a small animation project: keyframing a rotation, making sure the loop is seamless, setting up the render output, rendering hundreds of frames and encoding them into a video. This guide shows the quick way and explains the settings that matter.
What makes a good turntable
- A perfect loop. The last frame must lead smoothly into the first, with no jump or pause, so it can play on repeat.
- Steady speed. No easing in and out. A constant rotation is calmer to watch and loops cleanly.
- Consistent lighting. In a classic turntable, the model rotates while the lights and backdrop stay fixed, like a product on a real turntable in a photo studio. Highlights and shadows move across the surface, which shows off form and materials.
- The right length. Long enough to see every side comfortably, short enough to hold attention. Six to ten seconds per rotation suits most listings.
- Good compression. H.264 MP4 plays everywhere, from marketplaces to phones to social platforms.
Spin vs orbit: which motion?
Shot3D offers two kinds of turntable motion:
| Motion | What moves | Effect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model spins | The model rotates; camera, lights and backdrop stay still | Highlights glide across the surface; a real "product on a turntable" look | Product listings and showing materials |
| Camera orbits | The camera circles the model; lighting stays fixed to the scene | The lighting appears to rotate around the model; a fly-around look | Environments, dioramas and scenes with a ground plane |
If in doubt, use Model spins. It's the classic turntable.
Making a turntable with Shot3D, step by step
1. Import and light your model
Open the studio and drop your model onto the viewport. GLB, glTF, FBX, OBJ, STL, PLY and 3MF are all supported. Choose a preset from the Presets panel: Studio Grey or Product Softbox suit most product turntables, Clay Render suits sculpts, and Dark Studio or Hero Spotlight create a dramatic look for portfolio pieces.
2. Frame the shot
Choose a starting angle. The 3/4 front view (1) or the low hero angle (8) work well, since the camera height stays the same throughout the spin. Press F to frame the model. Leave a little extra room with the Framing margin slider: as the model rotates, its widest dimension sweeps through the frame, and a long object that fits side-on can clip at the edges when it turns.
Tip: before exporting, press R to switch on Auto-rotate in the viewport and watch a rotation. If anything clips, add more margin. Press R again to stop.
3. Choose the video settings
In the Export tab, under Turntable video:
- Aspect ratio: Square 1:1 for marketplaces and Instagram feeds, Widescreen 16:9 for YouTube and websites, Portrait 4:5 for feeds, and Story 9:16 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts.
- Resolution: 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 4K. Pro includes up to 1080p; Studio includes up to 4K.
- Duration: 3 to 30 seconds for one full rotation.
- Frame rate: 24 fps (filmic), 30 fps (standard web video) or 60 fps (extra smooth, best for fast spins and high-refresh screens).
- Motion: Model spins or Camera orbits.
- Direction: counter-clockwise or clockwise.
The panel shows the exact output size, for example "1080 × 1080 H.264 MP4, seamless loop".
4. Export
Click Export → Turntable video. Shot3D renders every frame individually at full resolution and encodes the video in your browser using the WebCodecs API, with a progress bar showing each frame. You can cancel at any time.
Because each frame is rendered and encoded one at a time, rather than recorded from the screen in real time, the result is perfectly smooth even on a modest computer, and the rotation is exactly 360° with no duplicate frame at the loop point.
When it's finished, the MP4 downloads straight to your device.
Recommended settings by destination
| Destination | Aspect | Resolution | Duration | Frame rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketplace listing (CGTrader, TurboSquid and similar) | 1:1 or 16:9 | 1080p | 8–10 s | 30 fps |
| ArtStation or portfolio | 16:9 or 1:1 | 1080p to 4K | 10–12 s | 30 or 60 fps |
| Instagram feed | 4:5 or 1:1 | 1080p | 6–8 s | 30 fps |
| Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080p | 6–8 s | 30 fps |
| Website hero or product page | 16:9 | 1080p | 10–15 s | 30 fps |
Platform requirements change, so check each platform's current upload guidance for limits on length and file size.
Turntable tips
- Slower looks more premium. A 10-second rotation feels calm and expensive; a 4-second rotation feels energetic. Match the mood to the model.
- Use a rim light. Turntables show silhouettes changing as the model rotates. A rim light keeps the outline crisp against the background at every angle.
- Avoid busy backgrounds. A solid colour or soft gradient keeps attention on the model. A transparent background isn't possible in MP4, so Shot3D uses your chosen Video fallback colour if the background is set to None.
- Make a wireframe turntable. Switch to the Topology Wireframe or Blueprint Wire preset and export again. A rotating wireframe is a powerful way to show off clean topology. See how to render a true wireframe.
- Make a clay turntable for sculpts. Clay shows form without colour distractions and is a staple of character and creature portfolios.
Compared with making a turntable in Blender
| Blender | Shot3D | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Import model, add an empty or rotate the model, keyframe 0° to 360°, set linear interpolation, check the loop has no duplicate frame | Choose a preset and click export |
| Lighting | Build your own rig | 24 presets, or the full key/fill/rim rig |
| Rendering | Render an image sequence or video; path-traced renders can take a long time | Real-time renderer, each frame rendered at full resolution |
| Encoding | Configure the FFmpeg output or encode the sequence separately | Built-in H.264 MP4 encoding |
| Quality ceiling | Highest (path tracing, complex scenes) | High-quality real-time PBR, ideal for product turntables |
| Cost | Free | Pro £10/month (1080p), Studio £25/month (4K) |
If you need cinematic path-traced turntables of complex scenes, Blender is excellent. If you need clean product turntables quickly, especially for many models, Shot3D gets you there in a fraction of the time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a 360 turntable video of a 3D model?
Import the model into Shot3D, choose a look preset, frame the model, then click Export → Turntable video in the Export tab. Pick the duration, frame rate, resolution and whether the model spins or the camera orbits. The seamless looping MP4 downloads to your device.
Does the turntable loop seamlessly?
Yes. The rotation covers exactly 360° at a constant speed with no duplicate frame at the loop point, so it plays smoothly on repeat.
What resolution can I export turntable videos at?
Turntable MP4s are available on Pro (up to 1080p) and Studio (up to 4K). The exact dimensions follow your chosen aspect ratio, for example 1080 × 1080 for square or 1920 × 1080 for 16:9 at 1080p.
Which browsers support MP4 export?
MP4 export uses the WebCodecs API to encode H.264 video. It works in current versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari on desktop; support in other browsers varies. If your browser can't encode a particular size, Shot3D tells you and suggests a smaller size or a different browser.
Can I make a turntable with a transparent background?
MP4 video doesn't support transparency, so Shot3D uses your chosen fallback colour for the background. For transparent stills of each angle, export PNGs with the Transparent Cutout preset instead.
Is my model uploaded to make the video?
No. Every frame is rendered and the video is encoded on your own device. Nothing is uploaded.