# Zero to Speckle ASAP
Pressed for time? Here's a lightning-fast intro to getting started!
# Registration
Before you can use Speckle, you'll need an account!
- You can register on our free official XYZ Server (opens new window))
- Otherwise, If your company runs its own Speckle server, you can register using the URL they provided
As you register, a friendly onboarding wizard will take you through some set-up steps.
# Creating your first stream
Congratulations 🥳! You now have a Speckle account and have logged in, what you are seeing is the Speckle web app.
From here, you can view and manage data and 3D models you have sent to Speckle or that others have shared with you.
Let's now create your first stream: to do so click on the big blue button that says "New Stream".
💡 What's a Stream
Streams are collections of data inside Speckle. You can see a stream as a folder, a project or a repository.
Data in a stream is stored in commits, which are snapshots of data in time. Every time you send to Speckle from a connector, a commit is created.
Commits can also be organized in branches, for instance, to have multiple design options or to store data by discipline. The default branch is called main.
# Sending and Receiving data with Connectors
New Streams are always empty, in order to get data into them we'll need to use one of the many Speckle connectors
💡 What are Connectors
Connectors are plugins for design and analysis software, they let you exchange geometry and BIM data directly from the tools you use.
Install our connectors and you'll instantly be able to share your models and data with others or access it from the web, or load it into other supported software.
You can explore each of our connectors in detail in their docs section: Connectors.
# Installation
Unless otherwise stated, Connectors are installed from a standalone desktop app called Speckle Manager.
Manager will also notify you when new versions are available, so you never miss out on the good stuff!
⚠️ Important
In order to use use our connector, you also need to log into your Speckle account using Manager. A wizard will guide you through that process when you install Manager or as well from our web app if needed.
# Grasshopper and Dynamo
The connectors for Grasshopper and Dynamo are fairly aligned. The most important components/nodes are Send Data and Receive Data. These connectors will use the default account you've set in Speckle Manager, though this can be overridden using the relevant Account components/nodes.
You also get components/nodes to Create, Get, Update, and Delete streams as well as get a List of your streams or more Details for a stream. Streams can be retrieved by either using the List component or the URL of a specific stream, branch, commit or object.
Finally, there are some more advanced components/nodes for creating and expanding custom objects, for JSON serialisation, and local sending / receiving.
# Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, Civil3D, Bentley etc
Most other Connectors share the same user interface, you can read more about it in its own section.
From it, you can select a Stream you have previously created and decide whether to send or receive data from it. Pretty simple huh?! In case you were wondering what data exchanges are allowed between all the various supported software, we have created a series of Supported Elements tables that will help you.
# Seeing your models online
After you've sent something to Speckle (aka you created a commit, using Speckle's lingo) you'll be able to see it in our 3D viewer and embed it into almost any other web page. Just head to that stream in our web app to do so!
Here's a sample one we have created for you: https://speckle.xyz/streams/3073b96e86 (opens new window)
Once your data is on Speckle, there's of course much more you can do like:
- managing permissions
- sharing it with others
- exploring it in our UI and 3D viewer
- accessing it programmatically via API
- consuming it via other Speckle apps
- receive it into other software
- add comments and issues (coming soon!)
- much more!
# Conclusion
That's all, folks! You are now successfully set up and have the tools to start using Speckle. If you need further guidance on anything we covered here, head over to the more detailed sections below. If you want to learn more about the code side of things, the Dev Docs should be your next stop.
If you'd like more detailed guides for sending data between AEC software, check out our tutorials (opens new window).
If you're enjoying Speckle, have any questions, or would like to share any feedback or suggestions, please drop by our Community Forum (opens new window) and join the conversation.
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