CREATING 3D CONFIGURATORS

3D configurators is a quite new trend in Internet marketing, which is actively developing thanks to WebGL browser technology. It makes it possible to use elements of three-dimensional graphics without downloading the appropriate programs and long-term training in their use.

The 3D configurator can be used directly in browser mode, and it is very easy to learn. Due to this, your potential customers have the opportunity to get the conception of the product in different variations. All in all very customer wants to see exactly what the product that he wants to get will look like.

Many areas of business, especially the real sector and trade, need 3D configurators. They are essential to attract and retain customers, increase sales, and monetization of their online resources. AVADA MADIA company offers ready-made flexible solutions in this area for the following activities:

• car dealerships – with the ability to select colors, select discs, and spoilers, interior, etc .;
• to designers, manufacturers, and sellers of finishing materials we offer 3D interior configurators with a wide selection of settings and options;
• furniture manufacturers, furniture stores – online furniture configurator will allow your customers to select furniture online and even create their own models;
• jewelry stores and manufacturers;

• manufacturers and sellers of consumer electronics – customers will be able to select equipment for the interior by color;
• manufacturers of industrial equipment.

Each 3D configurator that our company offers is unique, although it is created using approximately one technology stack. After all, each client has its own product and its own logic of creating three-dimensional models. Some configurators offer the customer a consistent choice of options, as a result of which he comes to a specific product in the catalog.

Others give more room for imagination, especially with regard to the choice, for example, color.

First of all, it is worth talking about frameworks based on the already mentioned WebGL technology. In our work, we mainly use two of the many – Three.js and Babylon.js, which are most suitable for our tasks. Three.js is a cross-browser JavaScript library with an application programming interface. It is used to create and subsequently display three-dimensional graphics with animation directly in the browser – that is, exactly what the client wants. Three.js scripts can be used with WebGL elements, as well as HTML5 and SVG. Thanks to WebGL technology, the framework uses JavaScript as part of the website to create animations.

Babylon.js is similar in functionality. It also uses the WebGL API to display two- and three-dimensional graphics in a browser, without using additional plugins.

The framework has extensive capabilities for creating 3D graphics for configurators:

• physics engine on the oimo.js module;
• hardware scaling;
• particle system;
• automatic scene optimization;
• smoothing;

• custom materials;
• step-by-step loading;
• exporters for three-dimensional modeling programs, etc.

Also, when creating 3D configurators, we often use the blend4web framework. It also allows you to create and play three-dimensional animations using components that were previously used in game engines.

Using cross-browser WebGL allows you to play it in almost any browser. Together with this framework, open-source software is used to create Blender 3D graphics. It provides tools for simulating, post-processing, rendering, modeling and editing video with the option sound. Another program that is widely used both in the creation of three-dimensional models and animations is 3DSMax.

The process of creating a configurator usually looks something like this. Initially, models are downloaded from online directories, such as Turbosquid. Then it is refined in programs such as 3DSMax. After that, in the form of graphic files, the model is unloaded to work with it in one of the frameworks, such as described above (Babylon.js). Here, all the scenes that the user can trigger are manually programmed. Then the configurator is tested in various browsers and embedded on the site.

3D configurators showed great results in creating virtual tours for real estate. In this case, the simulation is performed using the 3DSMax program, and then the model can be visualized using matterport technology. This allows you to open such a virtual tour using a regular web browser. We also offer an auto-configurator for a car dealership or service station, created on the basis of Blender technology on the Blend4Web framework.

Panoramic videos and scenes are created based on the Unity platform. The specialists of AVADA MEDIA have vast experience in working with three-dimensional graphics and programming 3D configurators and are ready to help you with this.