3D rendering makes action movies look cooler, brings architectural designs to life, and now helps marketers promote their products. From the latest "Avatar" movie to Spotify's last marketing campaign, 3D has made everything better.
In the world of marketing, 3D product renderings help brands create high-resolution images and videos of products that can be used in a variety of ways, such as on product pages, promotional materials or social media.
3D product renderings can also be used to create interactive experiences for customers, such as 360-degree product views or augmented reality (AR) experiences. These experiences can help customers better understand a product's features, enabling them to make more informed decisions when shopping online.
But before diving in, let's review the basics.
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1. What is 3D product rendering?
3D production rendering is the process of creating 2D images from 3D models. In other words, it's like taking a photo of a product that exists in computer software so that it can be easily viewed and shared.
With the advent of 3D modeling and rendering software over the past few years, 3D renderings are now more commonly used for marketing and promotional purposes.
Designers, manufacturers, and marketers use 3D product rendering to create photorealistic, animated, and interactive 3D models to help explain, promote, and sell products.
The final result of a 3D product rendering may vary due to several factors. Talent, modeling software, and rendering engines all affect the final output
2. How does the 3D product rendering process work?
Rendering is usually the final stage of a 3D project. It involves converting digital models into realistic images or animations. The process begins with the creation of a 3D model using computer graphics software.
After a 3D model is created, it is loaded into a rendering engine, which calculates lighting, materials, and camera angles, and converts the model into a 2D image or animation. After an image is rendered, it is usually post-processed and composited to create the final image or animation.
Let's review the different steps of the complete 3D product rendering process in more detail.
3. Modeling
The modeling process (Modeling) starts with creating a 3D model using 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max or Maya. Different 3D modeling software offer different solutions, workflows or toolsets, but the end result should usually be the same.
Since 3D models are the basis for 3D product renderings, it's important to note that building a 3D model more accurately will yield better results. A good model will make details stand out and look more realistic.
A more precisely constructed 3D model will also reduce the need for manual adjustments during the texturing phase to achieve the desired result, saving considerable time and effort.
If you already have 3D models in other formats, such as GLTF, GLB, FBX, OBJ, DAE, etc., you can use this online 3D model conversion tool to convert the 3D model in hand to the required format.
4. Texturing
Texturing involves adding materials and surface properties to give a 3D model visual characteristics and determine how the model interacts with light. Texturing is the process of adding color, pattern, and other important details to materials. This can be done by painting on the surface of the model or by applying a texture map on the material.
Texture maps are digital images that are projected onto the surface of a 3D model. Texture maps can be used to project color and pattern, and to simulate bumps, scratches, and other surface imperfections. Additionally, maps can be used to add realistic effects such as shadows, reflections, and ambient occlusion.
Materials and textures enable more realistic and detailed 3D visuals and bring flat 3D models to life.
5. Lighting settings
3D lighting (Lighting) works similar to lighting in real-world environments. Light objects have several properties, such as intensity, color, direction, and falloff, that affect how the scene is lit. Artists can adjust these properties to control how the light interacts with the model in the scene.
Artists can also create and add different types of lights, such as spot lights, ambient lights, and point lights, to create specific lighting effects in a scene. This can have a big impact on 3D product rendering.
Combining different types of lights allows the artist to control the overall look and mood of the scene, much like a photographer in a photo studio.
6. Camera Settings
Camera setup is an important step before rendering a scene. It is important to understand how camera settings such as field of view, aspect ratio, focal length, exposure, and other settings affect the appearance of your model. Also, the basic rules of photography apply to how you place the camera in the scene.
Understanding how camera placement and settings affect scenes and 3D models can help 3D artists create more meaningful, art-directed work, set up models that look more natural in the 3D environment, and ultimately create more realistic rendered images.
7. Rendering
Rendering is the final process of taking a 3D model and converting it into a 2D image or animation. Rendering involves the use of various software tools, such as 3D modeling, rendering engines, and compositing software.
This process can take from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the complexity of the scene. Once rendered, the image or animation can be used in games, movies, and other media.
8. Post-production
Finally, post production in 3D modeling is the process of refining and enhancing rendered images by adjusting colors and adding effects in 2D space. This process is usually done in 2D software such as Photoshop or After Effects. Post-production includes color correction, lighting effects, and compositing to create a final, more polished look for 3D models.
Composition in post-production is the process of combining multiple elements such as reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion to create a final image or scene. This process helps the artist have greater control over the different elements that hold the scene together. Compositing allows artists to easily adjust various properties of individual elements, such as color, brightness, and contrast, and add effects such as light flares and motion blur.
9. How much is the cost of 3D product rendering?
The cost of a 3D product rendering can vary widely, depending on the complexity of the product, the level of detail required, and the time it takes to create the final product.
In general, basic 3D product renderings can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars, while more complex 3D product renderings can cost several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
10. What is needed for 3D product rendering?
To create product renderings that will be used in marketing materials. For example, social media ads, product listings, landing pages, brochures, etc. usually require 5-6 high-quality product photos from different angles and in good lighting. If there are technical drawings of the product, using these drawings can make the model more accurate.
11. Is it possible to do 3D rendering for rotating products?
Yes, rotating products can be 3D rendered using 3D software such as Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya or Blender. The process includes creating a 3D model of the product, setting up lighting and materials, and placing it in the scene. The animation process can then start, setting up the camera and scene, and creating the rotation animation.
12. What is the purpose of 3D product rendering?
Product Design and Manufacturing
Most commonly, 3D rendering is used for product prototyping and testing during product manufacturing, and for visualizing products before they go into production. This can give manufacturers insight into product designs and help them make necessary adjustments before manufacturing.
3D renderings can also be used to create detailed descriptions of assembly processes, as well as to create visualizations of products in different environments. This helps manufacturers gain a better understanding of the product and ensure that the final product meets their expectations.
Marketing and Product Promotion
Businesses can use 3D rendering to showcase their products. Likewise, 3D modeling rendering is becoming more common, so it's no longer just for big movies or big-budget brands.
These renderings can be used in product advertisements, websites or catalogs. 3D rendering enables people to experience a product as closely as possible without actually experiencing it.
Architectural visualization
3D rendering is commonly used in architecture to help visualize a proposed building or design. They are used to create realistic images of proposed structures that can be used to demonstrate to clients and other stakeholders what the finished product will look like.
3D renderings can also be used to analyze potential design flaws, identify potential material usage, and evaluate a project's overall aesthetic. They can also be used to create a walkthrough of the space, allowing clients to experience the design before it is built.
Special Effects in Film and Television
3D rendering is used for a variety of tasks in special effects and film production. They help create realistic environments, creatures, and objects that would otherwise be very difficult or expensive to create in real life.
They can also be used to add extra depth and realism to existing scenes, or to create more realistic environments and objects.
Video game
3D rendering is used to create graphics for video games. They are used to create characters and environments, as well as textures and other elements. They provide a realistic and immersive gaming experience. 3D rendering is also used to create cutscenes and cinematics in many video games.
Original Link: Quick Guide to 3D Product Rendering—BimAnt