What is 3D product visualization?
3D product visualization is the creation of 3D images or 3D animations of products, usually for marketing or design purposes and recently it rises a question, what are the 3D advantages in a battle between 3D product visualization vs photography. It can be used to create still images or interactive animations that allow potential customers or users to see what a product would look like in use, or how it works.
3D product visualizations are getting more and more popular on e-commerce projects: from clothes to furniture, from electronics to jewelry.
3D product visualization are as well widely used on marketing materials: flyers, posters, brochures, video commercials and so on.
Simply said, 3D product visualization allows you to use 3D images in much bigger variety of situations and environments which assures a much better product presentation.
Further reading: Full guide on how to make a photorealistic 3D product visualization
Where can businesses use 3D product visualization?
Businesses can use 3D product visualization in a number of ways, including:
- To create marketing materials such as images and videos for use on websites, social media, and in advertising campaigns. This allows you to share your new product designs even before you produce them, so you can get a lot of feedback from your employees and clients. This helps you to choose the best possible design solution.
- To create design prototypes for testing and evaluation amongst your target groups.
- To create sales and training material.
- To create interactive models and simulations for customer demonstration and education purposes.
- To create big varieties of product images, which you can use on your e-commerce project. You can choose as many colors, materials, sizes and shapes as you want.
Further reading: The benefits of 3D product visualization
10 reasons why 3D product visualization is more efficient than photography
Product photography can be expensive
Hiring a professional photographer, renting a studio, and paying for other associated costs can add up quickly. Product visualization, on the other hand, is much less expensive since it can be done entirely digitally.
The whole process of hiring all people and setting up a studio is not only expensive, but very time consuming as you need few people to work on one process, schedule all the processes and get all people and products in one place. What if you have hundreds of products? That becomes a real challenge.
Then we talk about 3D product visualizations – that is much easier. One 3D designer or a team of 3D designers only need to get the drawings of your product. After that, 3D designer will model your product and will be able not only provide you photorealistic images, but as well adapt them to your needs as many times as you wish.
Product photography requires physical products
This can be a problem if the product is not yet available, if it is difficult to obtain, or if it is delicate and needs to be handled with care. With product visualization, there is no need for a physical product – all you need are digital models.
With only the drawings, we are able to create photorealistic images of any product you want: from expensive jewelry to new prototypes, from glass pieces of art to concept designs.
Product photography can be time-consuming
Setting up the shot, taking the photos, and editing them afterwards can take hours or even days. With product visualization, the process is much quicker since it doesn’t involve taking physical photos.
The whole process as mentioned above can prolong depending on all people’s availability and other costs. Only the post production of images can take weeks.
Product photography can be limited by the camera’s field of view
This means that certain details or angles might not be captured properly. With product visualization, there are no such limitations – you can zoom in or out as much as you like and rotate the view to see the product from any angle.
With 3D visualizations we are able to take a shot of your product from any angle: top, bottom, left or right, we can zoom in/out or focus only on one special design detail. It is all very easily possible vs the possibilities in the studio. No matter how big or small your product is – we can model anything to you.
Product photography can be hindered by bad lighting condition
Taking photos in low light or with strong shadows can be challenging, resulting in subpar images. With product visualization, lighting can be created digitally to perfectly showcase the product in any situation.
3D software allows us to create any lighting you wish: from sunny to shadowy, from ambient to dark. We can play around with different setups while focusing on the most important parts of your design. Lights can help to create strong impressions on your product presentation.
Product photography can be difficult to stage
Getting all the elements of the shot – the product, the background, the props – to come together harmoniously can be tricky. With product visualization, everything can be placed exactly where it needs to be without having to worry about real-world constraints.
We can place your product in any environment: you want your new car places in the Swiss Alps? No problem.
You need your new headphones to be places in a futuristic Tokyo setup – no problem as well.
We can do anything, just free your imagination.
Product photography can require extensive post-processing
Even after the photo has been taken, there is often a lot of work that needs to be done in order to make it look its best. This includes tasks such as color correction, retouching, and compositing multiple images together. With product visualization, post-processing is typically much simpler since the final image is generated entirely digitally.
3D product visualization allows as well to do as many changes and tweaks as you wish. We can improve lights, colors, change materials and so on.
Product photography can be limited by the photographer’s skill level
Not all photographers are equally skilled at taking pictures of products. Some may have difficulty capturing certain angles or details, while others may not know how to properly use lighting or Photoshop. With product visualization, there is no need to rely on someone else’s skill level – you have full control over how the final image looks.
You can simply tell our designer what you wish to have, and we will adapt your product images immediately. There will be no panic that you got bad shots in the studio and suddenly you have to redo everything. That can be a devastating process.
Product photography often results in hundreds or even thousands of photos , only a handful of which are actually usable
This means that a lot of time and effort goes into taking photos that will ultimately never see the light of day. With product visualization, you only need to create one image, which saves both time and money.
With only one 3D image of your product we can:
- Use different angles
- Change lighting
- Change materials or colors
- Place your product in any environment
- Adapt size and shape
Last but not least, product visualization simply looks better than traditional product photography
Thanks to advances in 3D rendering technology businesses now have access to hyper-realistic images that accurately show off their products in all their glory. If you want your products to look their best, then product visualization is the way to go.
3D visualization allows you to do unlimited changes and adaptions while in the process creating a perfect image of your product which you can finally use on your website, social media and marketing material.
Conclusion
3D product visualization vs photography, what is better?
Obviously, 3D product visualization gives you not only unlimited abilities to improve your images, but as well saves you lots of time, money and even prevents you from stressful situations.
With the 3D software we are able to create 3D images which will be not only the best versions of your product, but will allow you to change and improve them at any time.
If you have any questions regarding 3D product visualizations, we would be more than happy to assist.
