The Challenge
Leidos relies on a diverse network of vendors to produce 3D models of highly technical equipment (drones, trucks, boats, etc.). Initially, the team used Adobe Frame.io to manage these deliverables. While Frame.io excelled at video, it presented significant friction for 3D workflows:
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Lack of 3D Visualization: Stakeholders could not interactively review 3D models without downloading heavy files and using specialized software.
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Searchability Issues: Finding specific assets (e.g., a specific "drone propeller assembly") was difficult due to a lack of 3D-specific metadata.
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Vendor Governance: Securely managing file hand-offs and version control between multiple external agencies and internal teams became an administrative bottleneck.
Leidos required a centralized, secure repository that could handle the unique demands of spatial computing while integrating with their existing systems.
The Solution
Leidos selected echo3D to serve as the backbone of their 3D asset strategy. The platform acts as a secure bridge between external content creators and Leidos’ internal teams, ensuring that every plane, rocket, and vehicle is indexed, optimized, and ready for deployment.
Key Capabilities & Value Drivers
1. Streamlined Asset Ingestion & Organization: Leidos replaced scattered file transfers with a structured ingestion process. Vendors now upload assets directly to the echo3D cloud.
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3D-Specific Metadata: Assets are automatically tagged with technical data (polygon counts, texture maps) and custom metadata, making the library easily browsable.
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Versioning: echo3D maintains a strict version history, ensuring that the team is always working with the latest iteration of a helicopter or drone model.
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Rights Management: Critical for defense and enterprise use, Leidos can now track usage rights and expiration dates for assets created by third parties.
2. Rapid Search & Retrieval: Speed is a top priority for Leidos. The echo3D index allows teams to search for assets not just by file name, but by attributes and tags. What used to take hours of emailing vendors or digging through folders now takes seconds, allowing the marketing and training teams to retrieve the exact truck or boat model needed for a project.
3. Enhanced Collaboration & Workflow: Moving away from static file storage, Leidos now utilizes a dynamic review pipeline.
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Visual QA: Internal stakeholders can rotate, zoom, and inspect 3D models directly in the browser before accepting delivery from vendors.
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User Roles: Granular permission settings ensure that vendors can only upload to specific folders, while internal admins retain full control—solving the governance issues faced with previous tools.
4. Delivery, Performance & Scalability: Leidos requires assets for diverse endpoints, from high-fidelity desktop views to mobile AR experiences.
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Automated Optimization: echo3D automatically compresses and converts uploaded models (e.g., high-poly CAD files) into web-optimized formats (GLB/USDZ) without manual intervention.
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Scalability: The infrastructure is built to handle enterprise-grade security and the massive file sizes associated with aerospace and defense models.
The Results
By migrating from a video-centric tool to echo3D’s specialized 3D DAM, Leidos transformed their digital supply chain. They successfully bridged the gap between external vendors and internal goals, reducing time-to-publish and ensuring strict security governance.
Today, echo3D serves as the single Source of Truth for Leidos’ 3D library. Whether it is a marketing showcase for a new autonomous vessel or an internal visualization of an aircraft, the asset is secure, optimized, and instantly accessible.
