Exploring the World of 3D Product Rendering

Exploring the World of 3D Product Rendering

Educating Clients
5 months ago
If you sell a product, you can and probably should use 3D Product rendering services. Why? 3D product rendering helps save time and money, making the production of images, videos, and other digital content efficient. Today, It is a must-have for creating design samples, detailed images, and videos for use on websites as digital catalogs, ads, and marketing. Product Rendering enhances the online shopping experience with a variety of digital content.

I believe you will find new perspectives on the topic by reading this piece of writing.

Let's start from the basics first...

What is 3D Product Rendering?

3D product rendering is the process of creating digital content such as images, videos, AR, and configurations for products using 3D software.
Unlike photography, which requires costly studio setups and professional photographers, product rendering offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution. All the product launch videos of Apple, Samsung, and other brands you see use 3D rendering! You can produce high-quality content that would not be possible with just general photography techniques.

3D Product Rendering in Various Industries

3D Product Rendering is broadly used in any consumer product industry, such as electronics, vehicles, beauty, beverages, furniture and home decor, sports and toys, robotics, jewelry, clothing, etc.

While some of these niches rely partially on it, others, such as beverages, jewelry, electronics, and vehicles, rely heavily on it. Partially, because based on use-cases, sometimes the companies must do photography; otherwise, they use product rendering more for their needs. 7CGI has been contributing to almost all of these industries with its world-class product rendering services. Here are some of our 3D product rendering work-

Lifestyle 3D Product rendering of a TV cabinet table
Lifestyle rendering of furniture

The subject in the 3D product visualization above is the television console. Everything you see is set up virtually on 3D software. All the items other than the console are propping the image. The rendering inspires the viewers and helps them imagine the product in their own context.


3D furniture Product rendering on a white background
3D sofa rendering on a white background | 7CGI

The image above is a Rendering of a sofa named "Tiffany" from the UK's famous Graham and Green furniture brand. These types of images are used on online or printed product catalogs.


A smart charging station for gadget 3d rendering sample
Electronics 3d product rendering | 7CGI

The Rendering above showcases a charging station released in 2016. The client did not need any physical devices to create the image above. All they provided the 7CGI team was a couple of casual photos of their device and an explanation of the idea, and we did the rest.


Beauty product 3D rendering
Beauty product 3D rendering | 7CGI


3D Product Render of Supplement Bottle
3D Product Render of Supplement Bottle | 7CGI


If you are compelled to see more of our work for many niches besides what is displayed above, please visit our product Rendering portfolio.

In modern days, many products, specifically industrial and mechanical products, go for 3D printing before manufacturing. In this case, 3D product rendering is mainly used for conceptualization and design validation so that multiple prototypes can be avoided and perfection can be easily achieved. Our blog has an article on conceptual rendering that might be worth exploring.

Product rendering is required to explain the functionality of complex products, such as making manuals and books on medical equipment and aircraft. Pilots train using simulations based on accurate 3D models of cockpits and equipment.

3D product rendering is becoming more and more popular. Various industries leverage this tech to improve their processes, from conceptualization to marketing and ads, ensuring precision, efficiency, and a more engaging customer experience. It is also about staying at the top of the latest technology and maintaining a high brand image.


The Process

It starts with the 3D modeling of the product from photos and measurements, drawings, or even sketches like this-
Concept Sketch
Concept Sketch of a Pocket Organizer

Once the 3D Modeling is complete, we prepare materials and apply them to the 3D model. The 3D Model of the product then becomes ready for rendering.

We then place the product 3D Model on a virtual studio backdrop (usually premade studios), make necessary adjustments to the material, and hit the render button.

After the rendering, we perform some post-production to polish it further.

All right. If you feel like, wow, it's that easy, and wanna DIY, our blog has a detailed tutorial where we made 3D model of a product and took it to the final production. If you wish to learn, you can try that.


The Evolution

3D Rendering has been there since the 1970s when Ivan Sutherland invented the Sketchpad. Since then, it has taken decades for technology to improve to a level where it can be used commercially; especially for product renderings.

The Internet connection was not as available for the masses before 2000. So, the only way to reach consumers with a product was through television.


The video above shows three examples of 3D product rendering in 90. The first is a toothbrush, the second advertises a doctor-recommended a pill, and the third shows a car accident simulation. You can see that the renderings appear blocky and cartoonish.

After 2005, while the rendering engines improved GI calculations, 3D technology became more powerful; with the Internet more accessible, it became widely popular. People started to experience online shopping where companies started incorporating 3D rendering for their product marketing and catalogs.

Today, people shop online a lot after the coronavirus crisis. Customers now want to see and virtually feel things, like with AR and VR, without going to a real store. If your products aren't shown this way online, you should do it soon.

As we gaze toward the future, it is evident that the evolution of 3D rendering technology is accelerating fast. It makes us look at a future where the line between the virtual and the real is blurring daily, creating exciting opportunities for innovation, interactivity, and creativity. 


The Benefits

The adoption of 3D product rendering offers benefits for businesses and consumers alike:


Time & Cost Savings:

You do not pay photographers, and no complex logistics like renting locations or studios exist. You can avoid high organizational effort. With faster turnaround times and streamlined workflows, businesses can accelerate product launches and respond quickly to market demands with the help of product rendering, especially when AI & Automation is in the process of producing the work.

Batch rendering with electric cable
Batch Rendering of Cable Products | 7CGI

Unlimited Variations:

From color variations to product configurations, 3D product rendering enables limitless customization options. Now, you don't have to manufacture all these different colors/fabrics to display in your catalog. You can manufacture after order or based on customer demand. Such a flexibility.

A Sofa 3d rendering with three different colors options
A Sofa with three different colors

Enhanced Visual Quality:

With photorealistic product renderings, businesses can create visualizations that often surpass the quality of product photography. You get consistent product images everytime.
3d rendering of various sofa images showing consistent lighting effect
Some furniture products in consistent lighting


As you can see in the image above, the consistency in lighting makes the products look harmonious. With the help of product rendering you can highlight details like never before.

Sell your unbuilt Product:

When your un-built or prototype products look as great as your existing ones, as if the images were high-quality photos taken by a high-end digital camera, you can sell those products even if they do not exist in real life.

7CGI began its journey as a 3D product rendering company in 2015. Please visit our service page to explore our services related to product visualization in detail and to see if you are eligible for a free Demo.

Reach out to Abdullah at abdullah@7cgi.com if you have any question regarding this blog. Also, you can book a 15-minute no-obligation free consultation if you still have questions about our services or want to know more about Product Rendering.

About the author

Abdullah Albaki, founder of 7CGI studio, sitting in a chair smiling .
I have been leading 7cgi Limited since 2015. 7cgi limited is a team of 3D artists with diverse skill sets. My role is to provide direct one-to-one creative guidance. We have developed certain practices and automation that made the production of 3D models and photo realistic renderings extremely efficient and cost effective. All of this happened under my leadership. I take pride in the success the team has achieved so far.