ART AND SCIENCE OF CRAFTING INDUSTRY-LEADING 3D ASSETS

At the point of personalization, where a user’s vision is transforming into reality, the digital canvas holds immense power. Unfortunately, this virtual stage can’t perfectly replicate the physicality of  brick-and-mortar displays. So the transaction relies solely on the trust that their customized masterpiece will truly translate into a physical treasure. This is where Spectrum’s industry-leading 3D assets step in, bridging the gap between imagination and possession with hyper-realism.

Spectrum meticulously crafts 3D models that mirror our clients’ products with absolute accuracy. Our investment in talent and cutting-edge technology fuels this mission, creating assets that set the industry standard. With each click and customization, users’ confidence grows, witnessing their vision come alive in real-time.This immersive interaction is the catalyst for conversion, turning hesitant browsers into proud creators.

This magic isn’t born solely from Spectrum’s 3D expertise, however. It’s a balance between our clients’ intimate product knowledge and our team’s 3D artistry. In this blog, we peel back the curtain, revealing the refined processes and checkpoints that transform products into 3D masterpieces.

PILLARS OF OUR PROCESS

Spectrum’s 3D expertise is guided by three unwavering principles – our north stars:

1. Efficiency and Scalability – we believe quality and quantity can co-exist, with intricate 3D models materializing at lightning speed. We leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline our workflow without compromising detail. The results – 2,500 product scans (and counting) 3D assets brought to life and a reusable fabric library of over 1,000 materials created using scanning and other industry methods
2. Quality – Our QA process is a rigorous series of steps, ensuring photorealism for each asset with the end goal of making flawless reflections of customized products.
3. Styling – Spectrum collaborates with your team to utilize and replicate the style of high-quality photography you provide and approve.

INSIDE OUR EXPERTISE

We’ve established the pillars that guide Spectrum’s development of hyper-realistic 3D assets. Now, let’s delve deeper into the process that transforms product data into visual masterpieces. Our mission is to bridge the gap between digital dreams and tangible products, and it starts with a dedication to unrelenting accuracy.

BUILDING our DATA sources

We begin with a deep dive into every aspect of your product, devouring as much information as possible, including:

• Brand-Supplied Mannequins: Approved and provided mannequins ensure perfect proportions and dimensions.
• Brand and Product Style Guides: From color palettes to textures, these guides inform every decision we make.
• Existing Product Photography: Existing high-quality images serve as invaluable references, allowing us to capture the intricacies of your product’s surfaces, lighting, and even the way it interacts with light.
• Internal Product Experts: When questions arise, we don’t hesitate to tap into the wisdom of your brand’s product experts. These on-the-ground heroes ensure every detail, from functional elements to decorative placements, translates flawlessly into the digital realm.

PROCESS VARIATIONS FOR DIVERSE PRODUCT CATEGORIES

While our core principles of efficiency, quality, and styling remain steadfast, the techniques of our 3D artistry vary depending on the canvas. Each product category, from fabrics to hard goods, presents unique challenges, and we pride ourselves on adapting our process to achieve unparalleled realism.

SOFT GOODS

For fabrics, digitally capturing the detailed essence of fabrics demands a unique approach. We use advanced scanning technology to translate intricate patterns and tactile nuances of polyester, cotton and other garment materials/textures into precise “fabric maps.” These maps become the blueprint, seamlessly tiling onto the 3D model and optimizing our customization efforts. Through this refined process of material capture, we’ve been able to cut the previous 4-12 hour process in half. Other details around our soft good process:

• Advanced post processing, such as tone mapping and color grading, provides balanced white and black levels to prevent color oversaturation
• High precision anti-aliasing techniques enhance detail and clarity
• Accurate lighting and shadowing helps reveal stitching and folds in fabrics
• Bleeding-edge draco compression technology allows us to render much higher-density models without sacrificing performance or load-time

DURABLE GOODS

Metals and plastics call for a different approach. Here, sample products become our key resources. We physically handle them, rotating them under various lighting conditions, observing how materials interact with light and shadow. This hands-on immersion gives our 3D team an invaluable understanding of the product, allowing them to translate its nuances into pixelated perfection. For accurate representation, we often combine this intimate knowledge with existing product photography and, when available, CAD files. This multifaceted approach ensures every curve and contour is captured with pinpoint precision.

ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING COLOR CONSISTENCY

Color fidelity is paramount, and for durable goods, we prefer to use previously defined product lighting environments where possible. Replicating standardized lighting setups ensures custom 3D assets seamlessly mesh with existing stock photography, maintaining brand consistency across all visual platforms. Imagine your customer holding a physical product, admiring its color, and then seamlessly transitioning to your online store, where the 3D asset mirrors that same shade with astonishing accuracy. That’s the magic of our tailored color approach.

By customizing our process based on product categories, we ensure every 3D asset is not just visually stunning, but a faithful digital twin, ready to guide customers through their customization journey with unparalleled confidence.

BEST PRACTICES FOR TOP 3D ASSETS

1. The power of two – client knowledge + Spectrum expertise – collaboration is where the true magic happens. Your insights guide us, ensuring every detail, from subtle stitching to intricate patterns, is captured with unwavering accuracy. We become extensions of you, translating your product into a captivating digital twin.
2. Details are where trust takes root – Small details build trust with your brand fans. A misplaced button or an absent feature, can chip away at a user’s confidence. Spectrum meticulously obsesses over every nuance, ensuring your 3D asset mirrors your actual product with precision. This level of detail is the foundation of trust, convincing users their digital masterpiece will translate flawlessly into reality.
3. Realism that bridges between pixels and purchase – The best 3D assets blur the line between digital and physical. When users gaze at your 3D model, they shouldn’t just see pixels; they should see the finished product nestled in their hands. This realism instills confidence, eliminates hesitation, and transforms a hesitant browser into a converted sale.
4. Possibilities beyond the web – Spectrum’s 3D assets aren’t confined to the digital canvas. Their high-resolution quality makes them versatile tools, ready to be repurposed for marketing endeavors, AR/VR experiences, or even gracing the pages of your catalog. We build them light enough for a web environment, yet robust enough for diverse creative needs.

Studies have shown 3D visualization has a profound impact on consumer psychology and conversion. In fact, in one Shopify case study, shoppers were 44% more likely to add an item to their cart after interacting with it in 3D. And when users begin customizing their own 3D product, rotating and zooming in on their masterpiece, they build trust, drive conversion, and ultimately, bring your brand’s vision to life in every dimension.