With 75% of consumers changing their shopping behaviors, retailers need to rethink how they connect with their audience. Visualizing products in 3D is a lifeline for eCommerce brands and an exciting new way for customers to immerse themselves in the buying process. 

3D assets allow customers to build purchasing confidence thanks to realistic and detailed views of the product before purchase. For retailers, the benefits of these photorealistic images include boosting engagement and conversion rates, reducing imagery production costs and cart abandonment, as well as establishing a faster, more agile way to showcase current, new and even prototype offerings.

Let’s explore five common myths about 3D assets to inspire your thinking about product visualization.

Myth 1: You need a lot of images to create a 3D model

Many people believe that you need stacks of images to create a 3D model. But in reality, to get started with 3D models you only need a minimum of 2 product images, as long as it provides a view of all angles. 

Alternatively, if you already have a website that houses the related product images, there’s no need to manually upload your images when using the Modelry self service platform. Simply provide the URL and the Modelry team will use that as a reference. 

As mentioned, the most important thing to do is make sure all angles of the product are represented in the images. For even better results, it’s important to provide reference materials (like textures, dimensions, and technical info) to ensure the final 3D models are accurate.

CGTrader’s Head of 3D Modeling, Sarunas Vendelskis, recommends that for more complex or high-poly modeling, the more photos you provide, the more accurate your 3D model will be. 

To help the assigned 3D designer to create an accurate representation of your product or item, try to avoid poorly lit shots. Close-ups of a product’s texture can be helpful, and remember to take front and back images of the item. 

Myth 2: You need a physical product to build a 3D model

Well, that isn’t true either. You don’t need the actual product to create 3D models, since digital imagery works just as well, or better, than a photograph. 

It doesn’t matter if your reference image is a photograph or a digital prototype, as long as texture, product dimensions, and the precise detail is included, then it can absolutely be used when ordering a custom 3D model. 

This is a time and money saver for eCommerce brands that want a photorealistic prototype of a product. The company could run an A/B test of the 3D prototype and use the findings (like increased engagement, and reduced cart abandonment) to decide if the item should even go into production.

Prototyping like this can help considerably with product development and innovation, leading to better product decisions. And the icing on the cake is the massive amount of waste and pollution that would be avoided by not creating and shipping a physical prototype in the first place, resulting in a significantly reduced carbon footprint. 

[Learn how Puma used 3D assets to improve their product decision making]

Myth 3: 3D modeling is expensive

3D modeling is far less expensive than traditional photography. In fact, the cost for a product photoshoot can be up to eight times higher than 3D. 

We know not all businesses have massive budgets and are ready to scale their 3D catalogs immediately. Luckily, a simple 3D model, such as a virtual price tag, can cost as little as $2 (or a custom-built 3D model from $60). While a more complex model starts at around $150. It all depends on the complexity level of the product. 

Since many eCommerce brands report that 3D reduces their cart abandonment rate by up to 60%, the cost of not transforming your product visuals is far higher!

Myth 4: 3D Modeling is only for large companies

3D modeling is for everyone! With the right platform, you’ll get an affordable, accessible service where you can order single or small batches of 3D models, on-demand and autonomously.

CGTrader works with customers of all sizes, ranging from enterprise level to individuals sprucing up their online store with 3D visualizations.  

Powered by CGTrader, Modelry’s self service platform is geared towards SMBs, such as 

Hello100, a healthcare supplements manufacturer, helping them access 3D product visuals quickly and affordably. 

If you have yet to try 3D product visualization, Cyber Monday is an excellent starting point for small to medium size businesses. With 100 million shoppers making online purchases, 3D technology is a smart way to set yourself apart from your competition, no matter how big or small, and capture some of the massive influx of traffic brought upon by Cyber Monday deals! 

Myth 5: You have to hire through a studio or freelancer

Not necessarily. Although there are many studios and freelancers who could help, it’s more streamlined and affordable to order 3D and AR visualization assets directly through a platform. You get the same high-quality results, with less back and forth.

The Modelry platform has the largest community of skilled 3D designers available on the market. With the platform:

• Get a quote within 24 business hours
• Easily create and manage custom 3D modeling requests
• Edit and approve models as many times as needed with our QA procedure
• Embed 3D models directly to your eCommerce platform
• Store and distribute 3D assets across your teams

And as your business grows, Modelry can easily keep up with the pace of your scale. 

Try our platform today and get on onboard the immersive eCommerce train!