01
Find, don't hunt
Search by name and narrow the collection by type, universe, date, favorites, or pinned selections.
Peryton Lab / Product case study
3D Model DB
A local-first visual archive built to make a sprawling 3D model collection feel immediate, searchable, and worth exploring.
- 1,504
- models cataloged
- 28,660
- visual assets indexed
- 22
- model types
Library state Watched live
ArchitectureLocal by design
01
The brief
A personal archive that works like a product.
Model folders are fine—until the collection becomes the size of a small museum. Generic filenames, deep directories, and thousands of renders make discovery harder than collecting.
3D Model DB turns that file system into a visual catalog. The originals stay on the owner's machine while the app adds fast previews, structured metadata, and a focused interface for finding the right asset without breaking creative momentum.
The experience
Browse at the speed of recognition.
Every interaction is designed around the way a visual collector actually remembers: by the image first, then the metadata.
02
See the whole set
Hover previews reveal more of a model before opening it, with favorite images promoted and pinned covers held in place.
03
Inspect every detail
A dedicated viewer loads the active image on demand, then supports deep zoom and pan when precision matters.
From asset to artifact
Context lives beside the image.
Each entry brings its renders and reference details into one workspace: character, universe, model type, alignment, abilities, origin story, notes, source links, and custom fields.
- Choose a cover image and favorite multiple views
- Edit structured metadata without leaving the record
- Use optional Gemini assistance to suggest character details
- Open high-resolution originals only when requested
02
The workflow
From folder chaos to a living collection.
The application respects the existing library instead of forcing it into a cloud service or proprietary storage system.
- 01
Connect
Point the app at the existing model library. The first scan builds a visual index without relocating original files.
- 02
Watch
Folder changes are monitored in the background, so the collection can update as new models and renders arrive.
- 03
Curate
Search, filter, favorite, pin, annotate, and import ZIP packages from one focused workspace.
- 04
Protect
Back up SQLite, move metadata through CSV, or export a safe derivative snapshot for mobile and sync workflows.
Under the hood
Local-first, performance-minded.
Original artwork stays local. Lightweight derivatives and a strict process boundary keep a large image library responsive and predictable.
01 / SourceModel libraryOriginal renders on disk
02 / CoreElectron mainScan · watch · import · repair
03 / DataSQLite + cacheMetadata · thumbnails · previews
04 / InterfaceReact workspaceSecure preload bridge
OptionalGemini lookup
PortableSnapshot export
A
Virtualized by default
react-window only renders the cards in view. The interface stays light even when the archive does not.
B
Derivatives on demand
Sharp generates WebP thumbnails and previews in a low-concurrency background queue, preserving originals for deep viewing.
C
Resilient over time
Changed or missing images are detected, stale derivatives are repaired, and asset identities survive common file moves.
D
Ready to travel
Deterministic snapshots package metadata and display derivatives without putting the live SQLite database in a sync folder.
Measured on the working archive
1.5kmodels
28.6kassets
10universes
100%local originals
The portfolio isn't describing a hypothetical scale test. These figures come from the collection the application manages today.
Product gallery
One system, several modes of focus.
Select any view to inspect it at full size.
The outcome
The collection became an experience.
3D Model DB began as a practical answer to folder fatigue. It has grown into a local-first product system: desktop catalog, resilient image pipeline, portable snapshot format, and a path to a companion mobile experience.