# SPZ Plugin Installation Status
**Date**: 2025-12-07
**Status**: ⚠️ No Plugin Available - Alternatives Installed
## Summary
**There is NO Unity plugin for `.spz` files.** However, I've installed the **Gaussian Splatting plugin** which supports `.ply` files (an alternative format you can export from Marble).
## What Was Installed
### ✅ Gaussian Splatting Plugin
**Package**: `com.aras-p.gaussian-splatting`
**Source**: `https://github.com/aras-p/UnityGaussianSplatting.git`
**Status**: Added to Unity project's `manifest.json`
**What it does**:
- Enables rendering of `.ply` Gaussian splat files in Unity
- Alternative to `.spz` format
- Requires re-exporting from Marble as `.ply`
## How to Use
### Step 1: Re-export from Marble
**Option A: Export as `.ply` (for splats)**
1. Open Marble project
2. Export as **`.ply`** format
3. Use with Gaussian Splatting plugin
**Option B: Export as `.fbx`/`.glb` (recommended for robotics)**
1. Open Marble project
2. Export as **`.fbx`** or **`.glb`**
3. Full Unity support, no plugins needed
4. Better for NavMesh and navigation
### Step 2: Import to Unity
```python
# For .ply files (requires plugin)
await virtual_robotics(
action="load_environment",
environment_path="C:/path/to/residence.ply",
platform="unity"
)
# For .fbx/.glb files (no plugin needed)
await virtual_robotics(
action="load_environment",
environment_path="C:/path/to/residence.fbx",
platform="unity"
)
```
### Step 3: Open Unity
1. Open Unity Editor
2. Unity will automatically download the Gaussian Splatting package
3. Wait for import to complete
4. Your `.ply` files will be supported
## Available Tools
### Check SPZ Support
```python
await spz_converter(operation="check_spz_support")
```
### Extract SPZ Info
```python
await spz_converter(
operation="extract_spz_info",
spz_path="C:\\Users\\sandr\\Downloads\\Modern Tropical Luxury Residence.spz"
)
```
### Install Gaussian Splatting (via unity3d-mcp)
```python
# Via mounted unity3d-mcp server
await client.call_tool(
"unity_install_gaussian_splatting",
{"project_path": "C:\\Users\\sandr\\My project"}
)
```
## Recommendations
### For Robot Navigation (Your Use Case):
**Use Mesh Format** (`.fbx`/`.glb`):
- ✅ No plugins needed
- ✅ Better for NavMesh
- ✅ 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
4. Test robot navigation
### For Visual Quality:
**Use Splat Format** (`.ply`):
- ✅ Better visual quality
- ✅ Requires Gaussian Splatting plugin (now installed)
- ⚠️ Harder to use for navigation
**Steps**:
1. Re-export from Marble as `.ply`
2. Import to Unity (plugin now installed)
3. Use for visual reference/rendering
## Current Status
- ✅ Gaussian Splatting plugin: **Installed** (added to manifest.json)
- ❌ .spz plugin: **Not available** (doesn't exist)
- ✅ Mesh support: **Native** (no plugin needed)
- ✅ .ply support: **Available** (plugin installed)
## Next Steps
1. **Open Unity Editor** - Package will auto-download
2. **Re-export from Marble** as `.fbx`/`.glb` (recommended) or `.ply`
3. **Import to Unity** via `virtual_robotics.load_environment`
4. **Test with your Scout vbot**
## Notes
- The `.spz` file cannot be used directly in Unity
- Re-exporting from Marble is the recommended solution
- For robotics/navigation, mesh formats (`.fbx`/`.glb`) are better than splats
- Gaussian Splatting plugin is now installed for `.ply` file support