Understanding Product Rendering, Its Benefits, and Applications

Is your competition doing better on eCommerce platforms even though you have higher-quality products? In that case, 3D product renders might be the solution for attracting more online shoppers and getting the deserved recognition. But what are they, and how can they improve your online sales?

Let’s jump right into the topic.

What is 3D product rendering ?

Product rendering is a part of 3D visualization where 3D product models are converted into photorealistic images. Although rendering converts the models into 2D images, they are processed from multiple different angles, so you get the illusion that you are viewing the product in 3D.

The visuals created are very detailed, making them perfect for product development, marketing, advertising, and online retail.

How is product rendering different from product photography?

The main difference is that product rendering is entirely digital, where the product, scene, lighting, and even the cameras exist inside computer software. Very similar to traditional photographers, a 3D artist sets the scene, adjusts the lighting, and sets the right camera angles to render the photorealistic visuals. That’s why it is sometimes called CGI photography.

In product photography, you must have the physical product, photographers, models, location, equipment, etc. Thus, it works out to be more time-consuming and expensive than product rendering.

Moreover, if there are glaring issues in the photos or changes are made to the product after the fact, you have to hold reshoots. However, in product rendering, you can make changes to the product model, the scene, background, lighting, or angles with a few clicks and re-render them.

Benefits of using 3D product rendering

1. Cost savings

   In product photography, which is the traditional method, you have to bear expenses for the physical product, transportation, studio rentals, photographers, and models. You also have to hire photo editors to process the photographs from the shoot. You can potentially save a lot of money by using CGI product rendering instead. Since everything is done on a computer, you only need to pay the 3D artist for making the product model, texturing it, and rendering it into images.

   Useful Article: How to Reduce the Cost of 3D Product Rendering

2. Saving time

   The 3D product rendering process is relatively fast, with a major chunk of the time going to creating the product model and texturing it. The whole process may take a few days to a week. Even if you must make changes to the product design or alter the scene, it takes only a few clicks to reflect the adjustments. Moreover, you get readymade 3D scenes or background models for product presentations, which you can download from various sites (Freepik and Blenderkit). You can use such ready-made elements to shorten the time required to make your 3D renders even more.

3. Enhancing visualization

   CGI product rendering improves visualization by providing photorealistic views of the object. It is very important, especially if you are using these images on eCommerce platforms or your websites. Such renders allow customers to view products from different angles and zoom in to better understand the features and overall look.

4. Easy customization

   Being digital in nature, you can always make changes to product models and renders at a later date. It doesn’t matter if some of the product design is being changed, if one of the items in the product collection is no longer in production, or if the renders don’t generate leads. You simply need to open the model’s file, make the changes, and re-render the images.

   It’s remarkably easy to change the materials, color, designs, environment, etc. There’s no hassle of holding another photoshoot and incurring even more expenses. So, you effortlessly create multiple renders to show the different product variants, tailor the visuals to suit different target audiences, adapt to the market trends, and experiment with creativity.

5. Improving customer experience

   Because of the enhanced visuals, online shoppers click on the product just to explore it. Even if they are not looking to buy anything, photorealistic renders are really appealing and can make them do any of the following:

   • Add the item to a wishlist
   • Add the item to cart and purchase when ready
   • Purchase the item

   If the shopper is actively looking to buy something, the enhanced visualization will give them an in-depth understanding of the product. They can view the product from all angles, zoom in to see the finer details and texture, or use AR solutions to see if the item "fits," and then decide whether or not to buy the item.

Types of 3D product renders

Product renders are made for specific purposes. It could be for improving your product page, encouraging customer engagement, reducing returns, marketing and promotions, etc. If you understand this, you’ll be better able to know what type of Roughly speaking, we can categorize the renders into two broad types: still 3D renders and interactive product renders.

• Still 3D product renders

  

  As the name suggests, these are still images of the product model. The objective of still 3D renders is to highlight the design and features of the item in question. There are two main types of still 3D renders:

• Standalone or solo image

  In this style of 3D rendering, the product model is set against a plain background (usually white). Other than the product, there is nothing else in the frame to distract the viewer. The objective of this 3D product visualization style is to make customers focus on the product’s features and details. They’re best for catalogs, online stores, eCommerce platforms, and product detail pages (PDPs).

• Lifestyle 3D renders

  

  On the other hand, lifestyle 3D renders contain more than just the product in the frame. The product is placed in an environment that either adds context or shows how it is used. For example, when rendering a 3D model of a stuffed toy, you can place it on top of a little child’s bed, next to a pillow and a storybook. It subtly tells you that the toy will keep the child company as it sleeps peacefully.

  The objective of using lifestyle 3D renders is to associate a product with a certain lifestyle and status. They are very commonly created with a certain demographic in mind. Taking the same toy as an example, if it were rendered against a plain background, anyone who likes cute things will be attracted. But when we add the bed, pillow, and storybook to the scene, we are making it clear that the toy is for small children.

• Interactive 3D renders

  Interactive renders are used on platforms where others can interact with them instead of the real product. It can be on an eCommerce platform, virtual environment, or video game.

• 3D animation

  3D animation is a process by which you add motion to a 3D model, essentially turning the renders into a video. You will find animation being used to demonstrate how a product is put together, what components it has, its features, and how to use it. It’s a creative way for you to convey product information – like features, parts, materials, etc. – to a customer.

• 360-degree view

  It’s a unique style of rendering where the customer can view the product from all sides by spinning it 360 degrees. Customers always get curious about what the product looks like from all sides, and they engage with 360-degree views. The feeling is similar to turning a product around in your hands for a better look. 360-degree product renders are very common on eCommerce platforms and online stores.

• AR product renders

  Augmented reality (AR) is where digital elements are overlaid on the real world and the user can interact with them through a touch screen. Using their smartphones or AR devices, customers can overlay the product models in their real environment and see if it fits or suits their space. It’s incredibly for online stores that sell furniture, fashion apparel, home décor items, etc.

Various applications of 3D product rendering

1. Product design and development

   To go from the design stage to the final product, it needs to go through prototyping, testing, and refining. Photorealistic 3D renders can help facilitate all of these stages. Traditionally, you would need to make a prototype of a product for testing. However, with 3D technology, you can create a digital prototype or twin and run the tests in software. Then, if any potential issues are identified, the design is approved or sent back for changes/refinement. The process is repeated till the results are satisfactory, and then the designs are sent for production.

2. Construction and interior design

   Architects and construction professionals also use 3D product visualization for proposed buildings and construction projects. Using the CGI visuals, construction and interior design businesses can identify potential design flaws to prevent danger and avoid rework during construction. They also turn 2D plans into simple 3D layouts so clients can quickly understand and approve the designs.

   Once the project plans are finalized, the new visuals are used in marketing to encourage home buyers and investors to purchase or invest, even before the building is ready.

3. Marketing and advertising

   Photorealistic 3D imagery is a very important part of marketing and advertising because they are attractive. Brands use these visuals to accurately represent the product’s features and aesthetics on PDPs, catalogs, online stores, advertisements, brochures, etc. Appealing visuals are necessary for getting the target audience to not only notice but also pause to examine the image and understand your message.

   Using AR, virtual reality (VR), 3D configurators, etc., companies can make the 3D imagery more interactive to further improve the shopping experience.

4. eCommerce

   

   Photorealistic product views on eCommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, Shopify, etc., improve your chances of attracting shoppers to your product listing. Shoppers can closely examine the renders to judge what the product would look and “feel” like in their possession.

   Brands also allow customization of products (through the use of 3D product configurators) so shoppers can personalize the item according to their specific preferences. Through 360-degree views and virtual try-ons, interactivity is further increased so customers can make informed purchases. Thus, there is a reduction in negative reviews and returns.

Photorealistic 3D rendering tips

• Always start with a good reference, like a concept sketch.
• Scale all the models to the real world so they appear realistic when put together in the frame.
• Soften any hard edges, as most objects in the real world have soft edges.
• Use a three-point lighting system (key light, fill light, and back light) to make the product pop out from the background.
• Use VRayLight instead of VRaySun to control the sharpness of the shadows.
• The quality of your renders depends on the polycount of your 3D model. Use low-poly modeling for visuals that don’t need too much detail, like a wide shot of a living room. Use high-poly modeling for close-up shots of the product, like when you are showing the details on a coffee maker (see below).
• Use realistic materials so they react to light and other effects accurately.
• Use the blur background effect to add depth and realism to the image.
• Pay attention to detail and ensure that everything is accurate before rendering.

Conclusion

3D product renders, as we’ve seen, have a lot of benefits for businesses across different industries. Any company would want to use them for marketing and other purposes.

3D renderings are made by 3D artists using specialized 3D software. So, if your business is big enough and you have the funds and regular requirement for CGI visuals, you can hire your own team of professionals. In case you are a small company with irregular requirements for product renders, we suggest that you outsource the work to a professional 3D rendering company at an affordable rate.