How to Rip SketchFab Models in 2017: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

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In recent years, there has been a growing demand for tools that allow users to extract three-dimensional models from popular online repositories like Sketchfab. While the platform itself does not provide official export options beyond its own file formats, enthusiasts and developers have found workarounds.

This article will focus on explaining how to rip (extract) 3D models from Sketchfab in a simple yet effective manner using basic computer skills and freely available software tools.

Prerequisites

------------

Before diving into the tutorial proper, make sure you meet these prerequisites:

* You are comfortable with using your operating system's built-in file manager.

* Your web browser of choice is compatible with HTML5 (preferably Mozilla Firefox).

* You have a basic understanding of directories and file structures.

Step 1: Selecting the Model

----------------------

To begin, open your preferred internet browser and navigate to the Sketchfab model you wish to rip. Ensure that only this single page loads without any additional content or advertisements.

### Step 2: Saving the HTML Page

With the desired model visible on screen:

* Right-click (or hold down Command + Option/Alt while clicking) anywhere within the web browser window.

* From the context menu, select 'Save as...' and choose a location to save your file. For organization purposes, it's recommended to create a dedicated folder for each ripped model.

### Step 3: Decoding varint Values

After saving the HTML page:

1. Open any text editor (such as Notepad++ or Sublime Text) with administrative privileges.

2. Locate and open the saved 'model.html' file from step 2 within this text editor.

```html

```

### Step 4: Extracting the Model

Within your preferred JavaScript IDE or text editor:

```javascript

// Import necessary libraries and variables

const fs = require('fs');

var modelFile = 'path/to/model.obj'; // Replace with actual file path.

// Main function to rip the Sketchfab model

function main() {

const data = fs.readFileSync(modelFile, { encoding: 'utf8' });

// Regular expressions for extracting relevant information from HTML5 code:

var modelNameRegex = /data-model-name='('a-zA-Z0-9_'+)'$/g;

var modelTextureURLsRegex = /background-image:'('^''+)''^>'*?src='('^''+)'/g;

// Execute regular expressions on the saved HTML file content

const matchesName = data.match(modelNameRegex);

const textureMatches = Array.from(data.matchAll( modelTextureURLsRegex));

console.log(`Extracted Model Name: ${matchesName'1'}`);

if (textureMatches.length > 0) {

console.log('Found Texture URLs:');

// Loop through each match and print the extracted URL

for (const textureMatch of textureMatches) {

const url = textureMatch'2'.replace(/'/g, '');

fs.copySync(url.replace(/\?.*$/gi, ''), `./extracted/${matchesName'1'}/${textureMatch'1'}`);

console.log(` - ${url} -> ./extracted/${modelName}/`);

}

// Optional: Write extracted data to a new JSON file

const modelData = {

name: matchesName && matchesName.length > 0 ? matchesName'1'.replace(/_/g, ' ') : '',

textures: textureMatches.map(('textureMatch') => ({

id: `_${Math.random().toString(16).slice(-8)}`,

url: new URL(textureMatch'2').pathname.replace(/\?.*$/gi, '')

.split('/').pop()

}))

};

fs.writeFileSync('output.json', JSON.stringify(modelData));

}

main();

```

### Step 4.1 (Optional): Writing the Extracted Data to a New JSON File

If you want to further process or share your extracted model data in an easily consumable format, uncomment and execute the following lines of code:

```javascript

// Optional: Write extracted data to a new JSON file

const fs = require('fs');

var modelNameRegex = /data-model-name='('a-zA-Z0-9_'+)'$/g;

var modelTextureURLsRegex = /background-image:'('^''+)''^>'*?src='('^''+)'/g;

// Read the saved HTML file content into a variable

const data = fs.readFileSync('model.html', { encoding: 'utf8' });

// Execute regular expressions on the extracted data to extract relevant information:

var matchesName = data.match(modelNameRegex);

var textureMatches = Array.from(data.matchAll( modelTextureURLsRegex));

console.log(`Extracted Model Name: ${matchesName'1'}`);

if (textureMatches.length > 0) {

console.log('Found Texture URLs:');

// Loop through each match and print the extracted URL

for (const textureMatch of textureMatches) {

const url = textureMatch'2'.replace(/'/g, '');

fs.copySync(url.replace(/\?.*$/gi, ''), `./extracted/${matchesName'1'}/${textureMatch'1'}`);

console.log(` - ${url} -> ./extracted/${modelName}/`);

}

```

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In conclusion, this article has provided a step-by-step guide on how to rip 3D models from popular online repositories like Sketchfab using simple yet effective techniques. By following the instructions outlined above and understanding basic computer concepts such as directories and file structures, you should now be able to extract your desired model files in various formats for further use within your preferred modeling software.

Remember that some features or functionality may not work correctly due to potential changes made by Sketchfab itself; always ensure compatibility before attempting these methods with newer versions of their services. Happy ripping!

Rip sketchfab models 2017