Three Steps Build a Haptic Model

I suggest you start from simple model, mine is a big H. You can do a sphere, cube as your first try. To keep the model as simple as you can will give you a clear field levels in X3D file. It will be helpful to understand where the haptic field goes from the beginning.

Step 1: Build a normal 3D model

You can use any 3D modeling application you're familiar with. I do not have 3D Max on my computer, so I created my model with blender. It's free and fabulous. Oh, don't forget assign material for your model, a default material will do.

Step 2: Export the model as X3D file

This is too easy to blog anyting on it, just export the file you created.

Step 3: Edit X3D file

Here comes something new. Open the X3D file you just exported with a text editor. Find the field <Appearance> and just after <Appearance> we add a new field <SmoothSurface/>. OK that's all, now you can use H3DLoad to check your model with default SmoothSurface.
Currently, without any programming work we have three haptic surface nodes to choose from. They are:

• SmoothSurfce - a surface without friction
• FrictionalSurface - a surface with friction
• MagneticSurface - makes the shape magnetic

Note: H3DLoad comes with h3dapi package, you can download it from here
Pre requirement: a haptic stylus of course

PS: some H3DLoad options:

• -f for fullscreen
• -m for mirror
• -s for with spacemouse