# SPZ Plugin Installation - Complete
**Date**: 2025-12-07
**Status**: ✅ Gaussian Splatting Plugin Installed
## What Was Installed
### ✅ Gaussian Splatting Plugin
**Package**: `com.aras-p.gaussian-splatting`
**Source**: `https://github.com/aras-p/UnityGaussianSplatting.git`
**Status**: ✅ **Installed** (added to `manifest.json`)
**Location**: `C:\Users\sandr\My project\Packages\manifest.json`
## Important Notes
### ❌ No .spz Plugin Available
**There is NO Unity plugin for `.spz` files.** The `.spz` format (Adobe's compressed Gaussian splats) is not supported by Unity.
### ✅ What This Plugin Does
The **Gaussian Splatting plugin** supports **`.ply` files** (not `.spz`), which is an alternative format you can export from Marble.
## How to Use
### Step 1: Re-export from Marble
**Option A: Export as `.ply` (for splats)**
1. Open your Marble project
2. Export as **`.ply`** format (not `.spz`)
3. The installed plugin will support it
**Option B: Export as `.fbx`/`.glb` (Recommended for Robotics)**
1. Open your Marble project
2. Export as **`.fbx`** or **`.glb`**
3. Full Unity support, no plugins needed
4. Better for NavMesh and navigation
### Step 2: Open Unity
1. Open Unity Editor
2. Unity will automatically download the Gaussian Splatting package
3. Wait for import to complete (may take a few minutes)
4. Check Package Manager to verify installation
### Step 3: Import Your Environment
```python
# For .ply files (uses installed plugin)
await virtual_robotics(
action="load_environment",
environment_path="C:/path/to/residence.ply",
platform="unity"
)
# For .fbx/.glb files (native support, better for navigation)
await virtual_robotics(
action="load_environment",
environment_path="C:/path/to/residence.fbx",
platform="unity"
)
```
## Available Tools
### Check SPZ Support
```python
await spz_converter(operation="check_spz_support")
```
### Install Plugin (Already Done)
```python
await spz_converter(
operation="install_unity_spz_plugin",
unity_project_path="C:\\Users\\sandr\\My project"
)
# Returns: Already installed ✅
```
### Extract SPZ Info
```python
await spz_converter(
operation="extract_spz_info",
spz_path="C:\\Users\\sandr\\Downloads\\Modern Tropical Luxury Residence.spz"
)
```
## Recommendations
### For Robot Navigation (Your Use Case):
**Use Mesh Format** (`.fbx`/`.glb`):
- ✅ No plugins needed (native Unity support)
- ✅ Better for NavMesh pathfinding
- ✅ Better performance
- ✅ Easier to work with
**Steps**:
1. Re-export from Marble as `.fbx` or `.glb`
2. Import to Unity (native support)
3. Add NavMesh (Window > AI > Navigation)
4. Test robot navigation
### For Visual Quality:
**Use Splat Format** (`.ply`):
- ✅ Better visual quality
- ✅ Plugin now installed
- ⚠️ Harder to use for navigation
**Steps**:
1. Re-export from Marble as `.ply`
2. Import to Unity (plugin installed)
3. Use for visual reference/rendering
## Current Status
- ✅ **Gaussian Splatting plugin**: Installed (in manifest.json)
- ❌ **.spz plugin**: Not available (doesn't exist)
- ✅ **Mesh support**: Native (no plugin needed)
- ✅ **.ply support**: Available (plugin installed)
## Next Steps
1. ✅ Plugin installed
2. ⏳ **Open Unity Editor** - Package will auto-download
3. ⏳ **Re-export from Marble** as `.fbx`/`.glb` (recommended) or `.ply`
4. ⏳ **Import to Unity** via `virtual_robotics.load_environment`
5. ⏳ **Test with your Scout vbot**
## Summary
- **Gaussian Splatting plugin is now installed** ✅
- This supports `.ply` files (not `.spz`)
- **Re-export from Marble** as `.ply` or `.fbx`/`.glb` to use it
- For robotics/navigation, **mesh formats (`.fbx`/`.glb`) are recommended**