Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past few years, you've probably heard the terms "3D modeling" and "3D rendering." But why is this technology so important, especially for product manufacturing companies? Simply put, it reduces project time and cost. This gives manufacturers more room for design experimentation. Companies that fail to take advantage of 3D modeling technology will quickly fall behind their competitors.
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Over the years, consumers have become more tech-savvy. As a result, they have become more picky and picky in their product selection. Even the smallest mistake or confusion can turn off potential customers and send them to your competitors. That's why manufacturing companies are starting to leverage 3D modeling to showcase their products. If you’re still not convinced that 3D modeling can transform sales and marketing for your business, read on for all the ways 3D modeling can impact your company.
1. 3D modeling is the perfect way to prototype your product
Designers can use 3D modeling technology to create realistic product renditions. With high-quality textures and strategic lighting, these images are often better than actual photos taken by the camera. Viewers can inspect every small detail of the model in high quality resolution. 3D modeling design services often add lighting, textures, and shading to enhance the realism of digital renderings.
From the light reflecting off the shiny surface to the soft texture of the chair, everything is drawn with precision to enhance the realism of the image. It's as if the viewer is viewing the object in real life. The only thing they can't do is touch it. These images can be placed anywhere from print magazines to online advertisers.
2. 3D modeling is more budget-friendly than photography
While 3D modeling services can be expensive, they are still cheaper than hiring a professional photographer. After the lengthy process of finding and hiring a photographer, you still need to schedule a time for your shoot. Sometimes, you may even need to schedule multiple shoots for different days, depending on how many products you need to shoot. Once you have your shoot scheduled, you need to figure out how to get your products to and from the shoot location. When the photo shoot finally begins, it can take hours or even days to complete. Just typing all of this is starting to feel exhausting.
3D artists, on the other hand, only pay for the time it takes to create and render a product. No additional scheduling or shipping services are required. In addition, most 3D CAD software comes with more than 700,000 standard templates of mechanical parts. By using these existing templates, product design services can save time while still creating accurate product reproductions.
Some CG companies also offer free revisions at certain price points. This allows manufacturers to save money on any changes or revisions that need to be made to the model. Material rendering can also be applied to 3D models to get a more accurate idea of how the final product will turn out. Anything from aluminum finishes to metallic sheens can be added to the texture of your model.
This makes it easier for sales and marketing staff to provide input during the design process. Designers can keep changing the textures and colors of the model until all team members are satisfied with the final product.
3. 3D modeling can show the physical characteristics of the product
3D modeling accurately depicts the realistic proportions of an object. This makes it easier for customers to compare the product to other items in their home or to different versions of the same product. Within seconds, they can switch between different products in a virtual environment. If an object doesn't fit, they can simply replace it with another object. Not surprisingly, this method is much easier than moving large items yourself.
Some companies, such as IKEA, have even launched online programs where customers can install their furniture in sophisticated virtual environments. By trying out different furniture models within this virtual zone, they can more easily determine whether a particular product will fit their home, whether in size or style.
4. 3D models provide multiple uses for marketing campaigns
3D models can be used in a variety of different marketing materials. You can find them in everything from magazines to online ads and videos. Companies often use the same 3D model and place it in different media. 3D CAD modeling creates high-quality images that look good anywhere. Some businesses actually store their 3D models in virtual libraries for future use. This allows marketing professionals to add existing products to new ads or even tweak their old models to make them more attractive to different audiences.
5. 3D models can replace physical prototypes for advertising
With 3D modeling technology, manufacturers can market products even before creating a physical product or prototype. By creating promotional materials early, marketers can rest assured that their campaigns will begin on time. If there are any changes to the product design, they can quickly change the image. The old approach of waiting for a physical prototype to be built before launching a campaign was costly and inefficient. Plus, if something goes wrong with a prototype, the marketing campaign will be delayed until the manufacturer completes the fix.
If you already have a 3D model file of your product, such as a STEP or STP file, you can use NSDT 3DConvert, a powerful online tool, to easily convert it to GLTF and other formats for subsequent rendering and advertising, or develop your online product configurator :
6. You can create animations to showcase your products
For those who want to take it a step further, they can also create 3D animated shorts of the product being assembled and disassembled. Customers can then more easily learn how to properly build and use their new product. Of course, you're not limited to creating rigging animations. Depending on the product, you can create animations that show it in motion or demonstrate various ways it can be used. The possibilities are endless. With such a helpful tool, customers are sure to come back to your company for future purchases.
7. Enterprises can display products in a 360-degree manner
A single point of view is boring. They don’t showcase all the amazing components of the product. Customers also don’t like any hidden surprises. They usually want to see everything the product has to offer. Manufacturers often create 360-degree views of their products so customers can fully understand all they have to offer. Packaging, shades and sizes are all easier to inspect from a 360-degree view. This method of engaging customers keeps them focused on the product for longer, increasing the chances of making a sale.
8. Designers can quickly change their presentation
Manufacturers can also make quick adjustments and changes to multiple products. Using traditional techniques, designers would have to manually redraw any incorrect or missing components. 3D CAD technology automatically redraws any missing or hidden parts of the design. If you need to make changes to a specific aspect of your design, the software will automatically redraw all connecting lines within it to prevent any mistakes.
They can even create different versions of an object. For example, if a certain table comes in different lengths, the designer can adjust the structure without losing or damaging the original design. He or she can also experiment with different color options and textures for the design. If something doesn't work, they can remove it and add something else.
When the 3D Modeling Service edits or adds new functionality, the object's bill of materials is automatically kept up to date. This effectively reduces engineering costs. This feature is particularly useful for projects involving the design of components with multiple parts and fasteners.
9. 3D models make 3D printing faster and easier
Manufacturers can also obtain physical prototypes faster with 3D printing than with traditional methods. Since the manufacturer already has the 3D model, it can be quickly converted into a printable file. This allows manufacturers to inspect and evaluate them quickly and efficiently.
10. 3D modeling supports easy recording
The traditional approach to CAD design and drafting services involves manual documentation of different aspects of the mechanical parts being drawn. This is a tedious process that requires a high level of accuracy and precision. Fortunately, this approach is starting to become a thing of the past. 3D CAD software comes preloaded with flexible documentation options, such as product dimensions and material specifications, at the designers’ disposal. As a result, the documentation process becomes faster and simpler.
11. 3D models make communication between team members easier
By using a 3D representation of the product as a reference point, team members can communicate with each other more easily. Sometimes non-engineering staff, such as product marketers or even customers, are needed to provide input on the product's concepts and features. But with traditional 2D drawings, it can be difficult for non-technical people to properly visualize the final product drafted on paper. With virtual 3D models, they can more easily visualize and add their comments to the design.
12. Design integrity can be maintained during changes
By retaining the product’s geometric measurements within the design software’s algorithms, this will automatically prevent certain features from being accidentally modified. For example, if two holes must always be 2 inches apart, 3D modeling software will ensure that the product can be redesigned over and over again without violating this rule. As a result, component integrity is maintained throughout the design process.
13. You can test your product under various pressures
By collecting data on an object's surface geometry and materials, designers can predict its response to heat, impact, fluid flow and other physical stresses. They can also cut out cross-sections of an object to see the complex components that make up its interior. Imagine being able to test a building's ability to withstand a Category 3 hurricane. Or see how a car performs in a snowstorm. Both of these things can be done with the click of a button. Testing the strength of a product virtually is cheaper and safer than actual testing.
Original link: The value of 3D modeling to manufacturing companies—BimAnt