Getting Started with 3D Models for Your Product Range

Imagine this: your customers can see your products from every angle, customize colors and features, and fall in love with their perfect choice - all before clicking "Add to Cart." That's the power of 3D models for your product range.

Whether you're an eCommerce retailer, manufacturer, or part of a business with a massive product catalog and countless variants, transitioning to 3D modeling might feel overwhelming. But don't worry! This guide makes the process simple, clear, and actionable. Let's dive in.

Step 1: Take Stock of Your Starting Point

Before you create 3D models, evaluate what resources you already have.

What Do You Have?

CAD Files or Technical Drawings

Many manufacturers already use CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files for prototyping or production. These files are a perfect starting point for creating detailed 3D models.

Photos and Product Details

Don't have CAD files? High-quality images, dimensions, and material details are still incredibly valuable. These can guide the modeling process, especially when creating models from scratch.

Physical Samples

If you have nothing else, physical products can be scanned using photogrammetry or other 3D scanning technologies.

What's Missing?

If your product data is incomplete, work with a 3D modelling expert to fill in the gaps. Many companies underestimate how much they already have - small details like fabric swatches or design sketches can go a long way.

Step 2: Understand the 3D Modelling Process

There are a wide range of 3D model formats. Creating 3D models involves translating your product information into lifelike digital representations. Here's a simplified version of the process:

Concept and Planning

• Decide which products to model first. Start with bestsellers or high-margin items.
• Define the purpose of your models: Are they for a website viewer, a configurator, or internal use like prototyping?

Building the Model

• Geometry Creation: This is the shape and structure of your product.
• Texture Mapping: Applying realistic surface details like fabric, metal finishes, or wood grain.
• Lighting and Rendering: Creating accurate lighting effects and reflections to make the model lifelike.

Optimization

• The final model must be optimized for its intended use. A 3D configurator or website viewer, for example, needs lightweight files that load quickly.

Step 3: Choose Your Path - In-House or Outsource?

When it comes to creating 3D models, you have two main options:

Build Models In-House

If you have a design or technical team, they might already have the skills to create basic 3D models. Tools like Blender, SolidWorks, or 3ds Max are popular options.

Work with 3D Modelling Experts

For most businesses with large product ranges, outsourcing is more practical. Freelancers, agencies, or specialized 3D modeling companies can deliver high-quality models quickly.

What to Look For in a Partner:

• Industry Expertise: Choose a partner with experience in your niche - furniture, fashion, or manufacturing.
• Configurator-Ready Output: Ensure they can deliver files optimized for interactive platforms.
• Scalability: If you have thousands of products, you need a partner who can handle large-scale projects.

Step 6: 3D Product Configurators and 3D Models

If you're building 3D models, you'll likely want to use them in a 3D product configurator - a powerful tool that lets customers explore, customize, visualize and order products in real-time.

What Is a 3D Configurator?

With a 3D product configurator, customers can:

• Rotate and zoom in on a product.
• Change colors, sizes, and materials.
• Build and design products from scratch.
• Instantly see how different options look together.
• Instantly see pricing updates as you configure your product.

Why Configurators Are Perfect for Large Product Ranges

• Manage Complexity: Configurators like VividWorks let you showcase hundreds (or even thousands) of product variations without cluttering your website and spending lots of money on product images.
• Improve Engagement: Customers spend more time interacting with your products, increasing the likelihood of purchase.
• Boost Conversions: Customization options tap into customers' desire for personalization, often leading to higher sales.

How to Make Models Configurator-Ready

To work seamlessly in a configurator, your 3D models need:

• Low-Poly Designs: Simplified models that load quickly without losing detail.
• Dynamic Layers: Separate components (like handles, colors, or finishes) that can be customized individually.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Use universal formats like GLTF, USDZ, or FBX to ensure your models work across multiple platforms, including web, AR, and VR.

VividWorks for Your 3D Product Configurator

Unlike static visuals or generic configurators, VividWorks 3D Product Configurator solution is entirely 3D model-based, offering a level of realism and functionality that helps your products truly shine.

What Makes VividWorks Unique?

Built for 3D Models

VividWorks leverages detailed 3D models to power its configurators, allowing your customers to view, rotate, and customize your products in stunning detail.

By using GLTF file formats, we ensure your 3D models are lightweight, versatile, and compatible across platforms, providing fast load times without compromising on quality.

Real-Time Configuration

The configurator lets your customers make changes to your product in real-time. They can:

• Swap colors, materials, or finishes.
• Adjust dimensions to fit their needs.
• Preview the product in 360° views, exploring every angle with lifelike detail.

Enhanced Compatibility

With GLTF 3D models, the configurator ensures compatibility with modern web technologies, AR (Augmented Reality), and even VR (Virtual Reality). This means your models aren't limited to just your website—they can also extend to apps, virtual showrooms, and more.

How VividWorks Helps You Get Started

At VividWorks, we understand that transitioning to 3D models can feel like a big step, especially if you're starting from scratch. That's why we offer a seamless process to get your products ready for an engaging, interactive configurator. Here's how we can help:

Model Creation

If you don't already have 3D models of your products, no problem—we'll create them for you. Using product photos, dimensions, material details, or blueprints, our team will craft accurate, detailed 3D models tailored to your needs.

Model Optimization

If you already have existing 3D assets (such as CAD files), we'll optimize them to be configurator-ready and to ensure the best possible quality.

Preparing / optimizing models and textures for our 3D product configurator:

• Low Polygon Count, to reduce file size and rendering time while maintaining visual quality.
• Efficient Topology. Use clean and optimized geometry and avoid unnecessary subdivisions or highly complex meshes.
• Compressed Textures using efficient image formats.
• Texture Resolution, Balance resolution with performance
• Physically Based Rendering Materials, for realistic lighting and shading, ensuring compatibility with modern rendering engines.
• UV Mapping: Ensure proper UV unwrapping with no overlaps, and pack UVs efficiently to reduce wasted texture space.
• Compatibility with Web Standards and browsers.

Customization Options

Our configurator is designed to showcase your product range's full potential. From color swatches and material finishes to size adjustments and add-ons, we'll make it easy for your customers to customize products in real-time.

Integration Support

VividWorks integrates seamlessly with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento and others as well as ERP and CRM systems, ensuring your configurator is a natural part of your sales process and customer's shopping experience.

Future-Ready Technology

GLTF is the industry standard for 3D files, designed for efficient transmission and use in web and mobile environments. By adopting this format, VividWorks ensures your configurator is ready for the latest technological advancements, such as AR and VR applications, giving you a competitive edge.

Scalability for Growth

Whether you're launching with a single product line or need support for a massive catalog, our team ensures the configurator grows with your business. Adding new products or expanding customization options is simple and efficient.

FAQ About 3D Models and Getting Started

What if I don't have 3D files?

That's okay! You can use a 3d party to create 3D models or your product or we'll create them for you. High-quality photos and product dimensions can guide the creation of accurate models.

Can I use my own 3D models?

You can use your own 3D models or get help from our 3D experts. Our tool works with the gLTF 2.0 format, but sometimes models in this format need some adjustments. We're happy to help you prepare them for use.

Why do my 3D models need to be optimized?

We can't use the 3D files as they are because CAD files typically include every detail, like tiny screws and hidden components, which are meant for manufacturing, not visualization. These files often have a lot of polygons, making the models heavy.

If there are too many models in the catalog, it can slow down the app. Optimizing the models is about finding a balance between quality and performance. The good news is that we can maintain high quality even after reducing the number of polygons.

What 3D formats do you work with?

The tool uses the glTF format, but we can also work with formats like 3ds, obj, fbx, and step. If your models are in a different format, feel free to ask — we can often work with other formats too. Contact our sales team to learn more.

Why do you use GLTF?

GLTF is a particular file format used to store and share 3D models. It's popular because it's lightweight, meaning it doesn't take up much space or take too long to load, making it ideal for websites and apps. You can see 3D models quickly and easily without extra software or downloads.

What do you need to create 3d models?

We need clear, high-quality images of the fabrics to create a larger surface for the product. We provide simple guidelines for taking these photos, such as ensuring consistent lighting across the sample.

For textured fabrics, we make sure the texture tiles are properly without visible seams. Sometimes, fabric manufacturers have good-quality images that we can use, or you can send us sample fabrics, and we'll photograph them to create the digital version.

How do you handle modular products with different parts?

For modular products with different parts (like wooden legs, upholstered seats, cushions with different fabrics, modules etc.), we create material slots for each part and assign available materials to each slot. This allows you to customize each section of the product.

Is 3D modelling expensive?

The cost depends on the complexity of your products, the number of models you need, and number of details (i.e.minimalistic sofa vs antique sofa with lots of details)

However, the return on investment through improved customer experience and reduced returns often outweighs the initial cost.

How long does 3D modelling take?

For a simple product, creating a full product series can take a few days. For complex or highly customizable items, expect a few weeks per product.

Our 3D expert are happy to guide you through and answer any other questions you may have. Feel free to book a free consultation call here.