# Topview 3D Builder

> Source: https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/topview_3d_builder
> Updated: 2026-10-22
> Categories: AI Tools & Products, Developer Tools
> License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - attribute to "AI Wiki (aiwiki.ai)"
> Cite as: AI Wiki. "Topview 3D Builder." aiwiki.ai, 22 Oct 2026. https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/topview_3d_builder
> From AI Wiki (https://aiwiki.ai), the free encyclopedia of artificial intelligence. Reuse freely with attribution.

Topview 3D Builder is an open-source tool for preparing editable 3D scenes before [AI video generation](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/ai_video_generation). A compatible AI agent can place characters, props, poses, and cameras through a local command-line interface. Users can inspect and revise the resulting scene before rendering reference views for a separate video-generation step.[1][2]

The software is a staging tool rather than a video foundation model. Its scene represents spatial decisions, such as relative positions and camera angles; a downstream model produces the finished footage. In October 2026, Qwen's developer account shared a Topview demonstration using [Qwen3.8-Flash-Next](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/qwen3_8_flash_next) to build a scene for an action sequence.[2][3]

## Scene workflow

Topview documents integrations with coding agents including [Claude Code](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/claude_code) and [Cursor](https://aiwiki.ai/wiki/cursor). The agent translates a description or reference image into operations on a saved scene. Users can request another camera view or change individual objects without discarding the project. A local graphical editor, Studio, also supports manual inspection and editing.[1][2]

| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Agent skill and plugin | Gives a compatible agent instructions for using the scene tools.[2] |
| `topview-3d-cli` | Maintains the project, accepts structured edits, and coordinates checks and rendering.[4] |
| Studio | Opens a project in a local visual editor.[4] |
| Renderer | Uses Node.js and Chromium to produce PNG frames and a contact sheet.[4] |

Projects use a `.topview-3d/` directory. The CLI stores scene entities and version information separately from derived document views. Rendering records the camera, scene sequence, resolution, and document hash with the output, allowing a render to be associated with the scene state that produced it.[4]

## Checks and local execution

The documented runtime requires Python 3.11 or later and Node.js 20.6 or later. The rendering browser needs an initial installation. The `doctor` command reports dependency problems; `evaluate` checks framing, transforms, and ground penetration numerically. `inspect views` combines camera checks with rendered evidence.[1][4]

Scene editing and rendering run locally. This does not make an external AI agent offline or change that provider's data policies. Sending frames to the hosted Topview Canvas is a separate workflow requiring sign-in.[2]

## Assets and limits

The agent skill describes four bundled characters, 121 static poses, simple primitive props, cameras, and root-level position and rotation keyframes. It explicitly excludes a bundled motion library: a walking pose is not an animated walk cycle. The skill directs the agent to use the tool for rough staging rather than detailed final imagery.[5]

Geometry and framing checks do not establish whether a shot is artistically successful. Nor does a reference frame guarantee that a downstream video model will reproduce the same identity, layout, or movement. Topview's developer explanation distinguishes the controllable scene plan from the variable output of generative video.[2]

## Licensing

The repository licenses its code, schemas, and documentation under Apache License 2.0. Bundled character models, library poses, pose covers, and the asset manifest use Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. These assets require attribution when reused under that license; their licensing is separate from the software's.[6]

## References

1. TopviewAI. [Topview 3D Builder: README](https://github.com/topviewai/topview-3d-builder). GitHub. Accessed October 23, 2026.
2. TopviewAI. [From One Prompt to an Editable 3D Scene: We Open-Sourced a Local-First Agent Workflow](https://dev.to/topviewai/from-one-prompt-to-an-editable-3d-scene-we-open-sourced-a-local-first-agent-workflow-npa). DEV Community, October 15, 2026.
3. QwenDevs. [Topview 3D Builder demonstration using Qwen3.8-Flash-Next](https://x.com/QwenDevs/status/2113175533647483218). X. Accessed October 23, 2026.
4. TopviewAI. [topview-3d-cli local CLI contract](https://github.com/topviewai/topview-3d-builder/blob/main/docs/topview-3d-cli.md). GitHub. Accessed October 23, 2026.
5. TopviewAI. [topview-3d-cli agent skill](https://github.com/topviewai/topview-3d-builder/blob/main/skills/topview-3d-cli/SKILL.md). GitHub. Accessed October 23, 2026.
6. TopviewAI. [Repository licensing notice](https://github.com/topviewai/topview-3d-builder/blob/main/NOTICE). GitHub. Accessed October 23, 2026.