What are 3D models and what industries do they help? In this article, we will explore different industries that use 3D models. We will discuss the uses of 3D models in these industries as well as how it can be helpful to your business.
3D models can be used in the following industries:
- film industry
- entertainment industry
- 3D vizualisation industry
- product modeling industry
- animation and marketing industry
- game design industry
- architecture industry
- interior design industry
- engineering industry
- scientific and medical industry
This article will discuss 3D models in each of these industries specifically and is aimed at people who don’t know what a 3d model is or how it can benefit their company. It also aims to educate on the different types and uses of 3D modeling.
3D Models in The Film & Entertainment Industry
If you’ve seen any films like Shrek, Toy Story or Inside Out – then you should be familiar with how 3D models are being used in the film and entertainment industry.
Typically, 3D models are used to generate computer graphics of fictional environments and characters in the film and entertainment industry.
Animators will use 3d modelling software such as 3ds max or Maya to create objects, characters, textures etc. so that they can be placed into a computer generated scene in order to simulate fictional characters, events or environments.
3D artist in this field are often familar with softwares like Maya, 3ds Max, or Maya and 3Ds Max. Maya is seen as the industry standard for character animation, and you could probably guess that most fo your favorite animation films were done using Maya.
Some special characters that need special attention to surface detail like dragons or reptiles could also be 3D modeled using a software called Z-Brush.
It might be to your surprise to find out that even some camera filmed movies are also used hand in hand with 3D animation. A good example fo a movie like this would be any movie with a lot of computer generated graphics (CGI) like Game of Thrones. Usually all the fictional explosions, fireworks and smoke can be added onto the raw camera footage and when this is done, it is known as Visual Effects (VFX).
Films have come a long way with the help of 3D modeling and animation, and today, it would be difficult to find a fim without any CGI or VFX. 3D animation is used to enhance the visual experience of the viewer and simulate fictional events that would either not be possible or would be too expensive without the use of CGI or VFX.
3D Models in The 3D Vizualisation Industry
Sometimes its a good idea to see what an idea or design might look like before it is actually built or manufactured. 3D models are used within this industry to visualise ideas and designs.
For example – if you have an awesome idea to build a stage at an event, and you have the idea in your head of how big it would be, what it would be made out of and where in the event you would like it placed – then maybe hiring a 3D vizualisation artist could help you pitch the idea to your team before you go and build it.
The 3D vizualisation idustry has helped many people bring their ideas to life so that they can communicate their ideas with others and get the approval of their ideas to actually manufacture them.
The 3D artist would typically need some initial 2D sketches or inspirational images from the designer in order to understand what needs to be 3D modeled and how it is meant to look. For instance, for the example above, the artist would need to know how tall or wide the stage is meant to be and perhaps to location of where the stage is going to be. It would also help the 3D artist to understnad how the client intends to construct the stage and what materials they intend to use.
The 3D artist would then use the sketches or images to create a 3D model of the stage. This is often done by using a CAD software program, such as AutoCAD, Revit or Sketchup. A 3D printer can be used in order to produce physical models for clients and potential investors if they are so inclined. The artists could also construct their own prototypes using materials like cardboard or foamboard that they may have on hand.
Once this task has been accomplished, it becomes possible for the client to get some idea about how much space will be needed (e.g., how many square feet of flooring) before construction takes place–or even how long a project might take from start-to-finish.
3D Models in The Product Modeling Industry
Similar and perhaps related to 3D vizualisation, product rendering is a popular option for those who are designing smaller items like packaging, bottling or branding objects. Before the company or seller will decide to manufacture thousands of products, they will want to know how their product is going to look.
This type of manufacturing will support the beauty industry and others by giving them a chance to visualize their products before release. It also helps alcohol companies stand out from competitors with 3d models highlighting how their bottle design and branding will come together in the final product.
3D modeling is a far quicker and more accurate process than the older prototyping methods which included making physical prototypes or settling for cheaper materials. The old method of prototyping proved to have a lot of problems, especially when the prototypes were handmade.
With 3D printing, the process of prototyping takes on a whole new meaning. In this industry, companies can manufacture entire products from digital files that are uploaded to an online platform or carried around with them on USB sticks and CDs. Once the file is accepted by the printer, it goes through a production process like any other product – but without having to go into mass-production first. This means that small tweaks can be made after each prototype has been produced, saving manufactuerers a lot of time and money.
3D Models in The Animation and Marketing Industry
Animation is a very competitive industry. That’s why 3D modeling for animation has become such an important tool in the animator’s arsenal. With this technological breakthrough of being able to create models from scratch, rather than starting with a two-dimensional drawing or by hand sketching on paper which would be scanned into the computer and turned into three dimensions via hand drawn sketches, directors were able to tell their stories more fluidly and realistically as they could use 3D animations that are fully rendered in full color.
Animations can be used for various reasons, not just in film and entertainment. 3D animations could also be used in marketing, and have proven to be quite successful in that industry. The industry is currently flooded with a lot of flat, boring 2D advertisements that no one will take the time out to read. On the other hand, 3D animations are incredible alluring and will be more likely to catch someone’s attention.
3D models are used to represent physical objects in an animation. Properties can be added to the 3D models that represent physics in real life, like weight, bounce and hardness. All these properties will affects how the 3D objects interact with each other and move around the scene.
3D Models in The Game Design Industry
The ability to use 3D models to simulate fictional characters an environments originated from the game design industry. Before 3D models were used in films, they were being used to construct different 3D game environments.
3D artists woulf typically 3D model assets like chairs, tables, walls and other game objects in a software like Blender 3D. They will then texture the 3D models in programs like Substance Painter.
After 3D artists have finished modeling and texturing the 3D assets, they will then import them into game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine to construct their games with these objects.
Game Designers can use 3D models to create enemies that are faster than players, make obstacles for player’s paths and even place dynamic objects on a map which you can switch between at any time during gameplay. These 3d assets provide more detail to game environments than ever before because of how realistic they look – this realism is possible thanks to increasing technology capabilities over the years.
3D Models in The Architecture Industry
Architects have thrown away their A0 sheets of paper and box of pencils for a more convienient way of communicating their designs, and that is with 3D modeling. Some architecture firms have decided to use 3D models as their main design tool, and are now using programs such as Autodesk Revit for their architectural designs. A model can be created more quickly than a drawing or an illustration because it is done digitally – this means that the design process becomes much faster with less chance of errors occurring in your drawings.
Programs like AutoCAD also offer 3d modeling which allows architects to build virtual prototypes before constructing them physically; some companies even get a 3D scan of the building site so they’ll know where to put certain features!
For example, The Australian Institute of Architects has started making plans for how 3d printing technology will affect future generations in architecture by launching courses on incorporating additive workflow measures that include 3D theory as a necessary skill.
3D modeling has become an essential skill amoungst architects who work in collaboration with engineers and other consultants. Using 3D models, they can keep all the building information in one mode, which has lead to Builidng Information Modeling (BIM) training being offered as an important add-on to architecture courses.
Due to its ability for quick production and easy creation of complicated shapes, 3D modeling has become a vital skill amoungst architects that work with engineers and other consultants. They use this technology so they can keep all their building information in one mode which has led BIM training being offered at many universities as part of architecture coursework.
3D Models in The Interior Design Industry
Interior designers used to lug around massive bags with up too 100 material samples to show their clients. Today, they can save a lot of time and energy by using 3D models to showcase their proposed textures for their designs.
3D models in the interior design industry have been a game changer for many designers. These days, it is possible to find textures and materials on the internet with just a few clicks of your mouse or taps on your smartphone screen. However, when you are trying to communicate texture ideas to clients that haven’t seen them before, sometimes all they need is an immersive experience – hence why we use this technology so often in our line of work.
In addition, interior designers used to lug around massive bags filled with up too 100 material samples while visiting their clients’ homes or offices which was time consuming as well as tiring. Today there’s no reason not to show prospects what something will look like by using high quality renderings at full scale right from the comfort of their home or office.
Interior designers also use 3D visualization environments to pith their designs before they are accepted by the client. This is done in order for them to save both time and money through approving everything with everyone involved early on so that less changes need be made later.
Almost any and all textures can be simulated using 3D programs like Blender 3D or Substance Painter – from silk fabrics to aged concrete. Most 3D programs have interfaces where you can adjust material properties like reflectivity, transparency and roughness.
The use of textures is an important factor in interior design because it gives the designer creative control over how much vivid detail their space will have. The more detailed a texture looks, the higher quality this can give to your work – but also make it heavier for your computer to render.
Interior designers can also simulate the lighting within a certain virtual environment to show the client how a design will look in different lighting settings.
Lighting (or lack thereof) has long been one of the most significant and influential factors when designing homes or business spaces and no model – physical or digital-can fully represent what natural light would do on any given surface without taking into account key variables such as time of day.
3D Models in The Engineering Industry
Engineers have been using 3D models to plan their designs and also to harness the computing power of certain engineering softwares. These 3D engineering softwares make it easier to calculate paramters like the weight and distribution of certain 3D Models in The Design & Construction Industry.
Designers and builders often use the same software for modeling, but as designers they have a more creative role to play. They are able to explore different design options with greater freedom because not all parameters need be taken into account when designing something like an archway or sculpture – only aesthetics such as lighting need be considered. On the other hand, enginners need to be concerned with the feasibility of the designs they make and they also need to account for the structural integrity of any design.
The Design & Construction Industry in particular is a very important industry when it comes to utilizing these models as it’s not only used by architects, but engineering designers are constantly using them too – from building bridges and skyscrapers all the way down to designing furniture. They can be invaluable during construction because they allow builders to plan their designs more thoroughly beforehand so that no time or resources are wasted on projects which cannot follow through with what was planned. These same models can be used by engineers later on either while maintaining an existing structure or even producing new ones, especially if there has been some type of damage caused like earthquake or storm activity.
Some examples of 3D engineering software are Autodesk Revit, Rhino 3D, AutoCAD, TinkerCAD and Fusion 360.
3D Models in The Scientific and Medical Industry
Its sometimes difficult to understand what a doctor or scientist might mean when they are explaining certain aspects of their discipline. Its for this reason that they have looked to 3D artists for help in visualising some processes that happen in the universe or inside our bodies.
There are 3D models that have been created to help with the study of human anatomy, for example. There is a model known as BodyParts 3D which was designed by Australian company Anatomics and has over 100 different body parts available within it.
This type of visualisation is not uncommon in medical or scientific documentaries that aim to explain a process or concept to an audience that is unable to see the process itself i.e. we are unable to see how blood pumps through out veins or how the earth rotates around the sun. 3D models have also been used in some school curriculums to help students visualise concepts that are difficult for human thought and understanding.
Have we left out any industries you would like some more clarity on? Let us know down in the comments!