A three-dimensional (3D) graphics system automatically corrects the orientation of different 3D models based on a classification of the objects represented by each 3D model. The 3D graphics system receives a 3D model that is defined with multiple primitives distributed in a 3D space. The 3D graphics system determines a classification based on the primitives having a unique pattern, commonality, or feature that differentiates a particular object from other objects. The 3D graphics system maps points-of-reference that are associated with the classification to two or more primitives in the 3D space of the 3D model, generates an orientation vector based on the points-of-reference, and adjusts an orientation with which the 3D model is presented based on the orientation vector.