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What is 3D Product Animation? Everything You Need to Know

Writer's picture: Prakash KakadiyaPrakash Kakadiya

Have you ever watched a commercial on TV showing a new toy that isn’t even in stores yet? Like the coolest new LEGO playset or a realistic baby doll that talks and walks by itself? The creators likely made the "sneak peek" commercial using 3D product animation. They had not finished building the toy yet.


3D animation is a super cool way of creating CGI models of products on a computer. So, let's discover everything about 3D Product Animation.


How Do They Do 3D Product Animation?

Special 3D artists use animation software like Blender or Maya. They design virtual 3D models on their computer screens. This starts with simple shapes, lines, and dots. They mold into detailed product designs.


It’s almost like those toys for little kids. This is where you stick plastic shapes onto a base panel to build your own creation! But professional 3D software allows animating anything you can imagine.


Product designers decide exactly what features and parts the item will have. They plan out details like colors, textures, buttons, screens, and how pieces will move.


3D modelers bring it to life by sculpting shapes and moving parts. They use their digital tools, adding in materials like types of plastic, metal, or fabric. Also, this includes cool bonuses like logos and branding.

After lots of tweaking and testing animations, the 3D product starts to feel real! Now, it’s ready to be the “spokesmodel” shining in commercials. This is true even though manufacturing won't finish for months.


Where is 3D Product Animation Used?


Short video clips showing animated CGI models are popular. This also reveals new product designs. It's especially true for technology, toys, and home goods. Big brands want to hype the shoppers for what’s coming soon!


  • Product Design and Testing

3D animation helps developers refine and improve prototypes. See products virtually in action, flowing through drop tests or extreme conditions. It avoids building costly real-world versions first. Changes happen faster when simply editing the CGI model.


  • Sales and Marketing collateral 

CGI renderings, animations, and interactive product tours are amazing sales tools. However, you can showcase concepts to business partners and investors. Usually, regular shoppers get curious. They want to see unique, animated items on websites and social media.


  • Advertising Campaigns

It’s super common now for the big toy or electronics brands. Interestingly, you can release enticing commercials. This will help you reveal upcoming gadgets, games, and kids’ wishlist items. They use 3D animation. Seeing their dream gifts makes kids rev up to beg their parents for them!


What Are the Advantages of 3D Product Animation?


Why go through complex 3D modeling and animation? Why not just build sample products? Great question! Here are some of the main benefits:


Flexible and quick changes. Editing a 3D animated file is much faster than re-manufacturing a physical item. Yet, this happens if you need modifications. Colors, proportions, and materials get updated instantly. This is done with software instead of supply chain hassles.


It is cost-efficient to pay 3D animators to create digital prototypes. Also, this costs much less overall than mass-producing samples that are not ready for market. No waste spending on unfinished products.


Computer-rendered imagery allows the creation of dynamic, 360° interactive model views. However, potential buyers can inspect products more closely pre-release than limited images. Zoom in on details most photographers couldn’t capture well.


All things considered, the high-tech CGI makes upcoming products “pop” visually. Moreover, it has sleek animations and effects. You can’t easily reproduce them physically yet. Getting the “Wow!” reaction companies want, inspiring buzz. 

Pretty awesome right? No wonder. Every major toy brand and gadget startup relies on cutting-edge 3D product animation. On the other hand, even kids recognize CGI versions from real items eventually on shelves.


I don’t know about you, but learning 3D product animation essentially “play with digital clay”. Apart from that. you can use advanced imaging software tools to craft stylized worlds. It sounds like an awesome job to me! Not to mention, they get sneak peeks of future toys or video games months before the public. So cool!


Maybe after more animation practice, I’ll try applying to a 3D studio myself. Hopefully, parents will buy me Blender 3D to start honing skills. My bedroom could use some totally epic CGI décor like hologram furniture! Think they’d go for that...? Need 3D animation video for your product? Contact US at acoroidstudio@gmail.com

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