Yes, they are. The answer is as simple as it is. But since you are reading this article, chances are a short version of the solution would not satisfy your need to learn everything possible about the matter.
In this article, you will learn what 3D rendering is, what types of 3D rendering are differentiated, what benefits this technology offers, what fields of the modern world can exploit the technology, and, of course, what 3D rendering software is worth considering and why.
What is 3D Rendering?
First and foremost, let’s clarify what 3D rendering is and how it works.
3D rendering is the creation of images based on three-dimensional (3D) data with the help of specialized software. First, a wireframe model is developed based on a CAD file. Then, with the help of 3D rendering software, a three-dimensional image is built.
Whenever the 3D image is developed, the right software chooses the correct light and shadows, colors, shades, texture, and level of detailing, to deliver a photorealistic 3D image. After a perfect 3D model is rendered, it is then put into and adjusted to the background.
Most often, 3D rendering is used in simulators, marketing, architecture, video games, visual effects for movies, and television. This is the last step in an animation process that finalizes the appearance of the models and animation to make them as realistic as possible.
What Are the Common Types of 3D Rendering Software?
The process of image development and completion can happen in two basic ways; right at the moment of the viewer’s interaction with it, or far in advance, behind the scenes.
Real-Time Rendering (Hardware Rendering)
Whenever the rendered image on the screen is changing here, and now, it is called real-time rendering. For example, when a video-game character moves towards an object you have chosen; this is real-time rendering.
This rendering has become common since architects and designers began introducing their projects in real life. The client is given a controller to virtually browse through their home or office project even before the architect or the designer has even started the work.
Offline Rendering (Software and Cloud Rendering)
Offline rendering interests marketers and filmmakers the most. This is offline improvement or development of an image with 3D rendering software that doesn’t happen immediately. Sometimes, it takes several months for it to continue offline and behind the scenes.
Hours of the frame-by-frame rendering give us dragons in the Game of Thrones or incredibly realistic photo-ads on billboards. The difference between 3D rendering software, vector rendering, and cloud rendering is in the means that one takes to complete an image.
What Are the Benefits of 3D Rendering?
As already mentioned above, 3D rendering is widely used in many fields of modern life; from architecture to the movie industry. 3D visualization offers a wide spectrum of advantages and infinite variations to anyone who dares to tame its characteristics.
Creation of the Impossible
Whatever you can imagine can be created and delivered via 3D rendering software. In the past, photographers had to build complex structures, sweat over light, add actual water, etc. to deliver the most realistic images to the public.
But, due to technological advancements, there is no need to waste time in such complexities now.
With 3D rendering software companies around the world have access to anything; from exotic locations to the extreme detailing impossible even for the best cameras in the world.
Moreover, marketers do not even need to have an actual product in front of them to create its visual 3D model, an idea and description are enough!
The possibility to create anything unties the fetters of conditionality and allows introducing a product in the best way possible.
Versatility and Flexibility
Photography does not offer it all; it only captures reality! And if you want a product to be presented in the top 10 locations of the world with 20 different variants, 3D can do it much faster than a photographer traveling the world.
The technology allows us to have it all without the travels, sleepless nights, and an army of helpers wandering around. Moreover, if the initial image lacks light or needs an additional detail, you can add it later without having to set up the same photoshoot but with minor changes.
The versatility of 3D images allows its users to use the same picture for a wide number of mediums; from the basic product packaging and print ads to the huge billboards, and even the design of the trade boots (without any quality loss).
Thrift
3D rendered images are significantly more cost-effective and greener than real photos.
Let’s go back to the above example, with 10 great locations and 20 more alternations. You can assume that you need a photographer, a light expert, an assistant, a product owner, and a marketer to visit those 10 greatest places in the world, and to shoot in each of them for at least a day.
The budget for such a trip is enormous, especially considering the time those people spend on doing a single thing. And all this fuss is about a new product that will not be new in several months, so you will need to go through all those troubles again for an updated version. It all sounds complicated and extremely expensive!
The 3D rendering software experts sit on a single chair, in a room, with a computer, and in several days deliver the required image with all variations. There are no logistics costs, not that much human labor cost and lower time expenses involved.
Also, if we consider the environmental perspective, you are turning to zero-waste alternatives with 3D rendering in place of materialistic and wasteful real-life photography.
Precision and Perfection
The development of a 3D image gives the owner the pleasure of controlling every tiny detail on the final image, which is not the case for photography.
In 3D models, this is a designer who develops the water drops, the light with shadows, and the minor elements of the background.
In case a client is not satisfied with something, it can all be changed without the loss of quality or realism in it. This means that the final image can become just what you need.
Can This Be an Effective Marketing Tool?
Product rendering has become a common tool and weapon for marketers since its appearance in the market.
With the tech development of the world, the possibilities 3D offers continue to expand since only 3D rendering software gives marketers the complete power of how a product or service is presented to end-users.
Most often, one can see 3D images in marketing campaigns for home décor, medical & industrial equipment, and devices. And it is more commonly used in food or retail industries.
What Can a Company Achieve with 3D Rendering?
Product marketing
More than 65% of the world’s population is visual learners. Since about 90% of all the information that our mind receives is visual, visualization of any product or service plays a vital role in its marketing.
With the visual representation of a brand, marketers can more easily deliver the required message and hence engage the viewers into the brand.
3D rendering allows for cost-effective and rapid development of real images, animation, and graphics to persuade and sometimes even trick the audience into buying. With the super high-resolution quality and realism of 3D images rendered with professional software, online marketing experts can suck the viewers' attention and hence convert viewers into buyers.
3D rendering technology allows creating a perfect multifunctional asset for both online and physical representation of a brand.
Start from the Idea
Developing a comprehensive and functional prototype is always a challenge, especially for middle-sized businesses. This means that in the traditional marketing approach, based on photos and videos, active marketing is delayed until the prototype is available.
3D rendering software can develop a perfectly real image of any product based only on the description and technical characteristics of a product. This means that the marketing campaign begins as soon as the product idea is confirmed.
This allows marketing a product or service to prospective customers even before it is available in the market.
Moreover, if there are any changes in the development process, a 3D rendering expert can update the existing image and match it to the actual product.
Engaging Dynamic Content
Plain images don’t do the trick anymore. The customers are attracted to high-quality graphics, videos, and animation.
3D rendering software allows creating a visual experience with a deeper insight into your product.
By offering short video content, you can dip the audience into the experience, explain all behind-the-scenes processes, and give them a sneak peek into the product’s inner mechanisms.
Marketers can also put the product or service in context and give real-life demonstrations, which was almost impossible with traditional photography.
Strengthen Brand Image
The development of strong positive associations between a brand and its audience takes time and effort.
Visuals definitely help to build brand image, but video and graphics are the best ways to inspire the required emotion and to convey an idea about your brand.
3D visualization puts the image into the real-time context for every viewer, instantly building relations between the viewer and the brand.
Comprehensive detailing of the 3D images helps marketers achieve their goals significantly faster and effectively. This new technology makes everything possible; you can present the brand in the right way to attract customers without putting much effort and money into it.
Which Is the Best 3D Rendering Software?
There is no best 3D rendering software that beats the competition and is accepted as the only standard of such tools.
3D rendering has a wide range of possibilities and functionalities, and every existing software may satisfy one or the other requirement of the user. If you have used any 3D rendering software, don’t forget to post a review to help those who are looking for one!
And, if you are still exploring, here is a list of the five most common and most widely used 3D rendering software.
1. Blender
Blender has been in the market for quite some time. So it has a wide pool of artists, teachers and 3D rendering enthusiasts who continue to develop this software and enhance its capabilities day by day.
Blender software is the best starting point to understand whether 3D is your cup of tea and to learn the basics of this process.
Be ready, however, that Blender has a non-standard functional filling which means that you will need to learn hard when advancing to more expensive software solutions.
OS: Windows Vista and above / Mac OSX 10.6 and above, Linux
Advantages:
- Open-source
- Resourceful and helpful community
- Great support
- Impressive modeling toolset
Disadvantages:
- Non-standard
2. Corona Renderer
Corona Render is a new kid on the block that has already earned its place among experts. It can be used as a standalone CLI application; however, most often, it is purchased as a plugin for Autodesk 3ds Max.
A great advantage of Corona is that its functioning does not depend on how the computer’s graphics card since it is a CPU-based program.
Its speed is still not perfect. Deep integration with 3DS Max offers a wide range of native materials to work with for realistic renderings and eliminates any concerns about compatibility and complexity. Corona Render is best for architectural visualization.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 / MacOS 10.7 and above
Advantages
- Speed of rendering is among the best
- Perfect light effects
- Clean animations
- Great support from the development team
- Regular software updates and patches
Disadvantages
- Limited features set
3. Lumion
The main characteristic of Lumion and its greatest marketing weapon is its compatibility with the rest of 3D rendering software in the market.
Since you might need to share the file with many people and ensure that everyone can open it, such compatibility is definitely an advantage.
Lumion software also offers great UI, which allows completing your rendering with the least effort. Even though it is believed to be for beginners, if you dig a bit deeper with this program, you will see all of its benefits, even for complex projects.
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8; DirectX 9.0c and above
Advantages
- The fastest rendering software
- Compatible with all possible 3D rendering software existing
- Intuitive UI and friendly learning curve
- Great customer support
Disadvantages
- No hyper-real rendering
4. Maxwell
Maxwell has a long-lasting history in the market of 3D rendering software. This open-source software built a great community around it and hence offers one of the best sets of tools for its users.
The simple and intuitive UI of this program does not leave a chance of missing a thing here. It is great not only for the current users but also for those looking for more functionalities and possibilities. The fact that Maxwell is free for everyone is one of the biggest advantages of this software.
OS: Windows Vista and above
Advantages
- Open-source
- Community support
- Plenty of additional resources
- Easy to learn for newcomers
Disadvantages
- Low speed of rendering
5.V-Ray
V-Ray is mentioned on our list at the very end for a reason. This 3D rendering software was developed by the inventors of 3DS Max, and up until today, it remains the king of programs due to one of the most powerful rendering engines available today.
V-Ray offers an enormous number of features and tools that help to visualize anything from the parallel reality in a far galaxy to a small room in the neighboring home.
The great advantage of V-Ray is its free trial offer that allows you to understand whether this tool is for you or you need something with a less complex design.
OS: Windows 7 and above
Advantages
- Comprehensive list of features and tools
- A great line of models and textures
Disadvantages
- Pretty complex and broad, so might not be the best beginning for the learners
Final Words!
3D rendering helps make dreams, and ideas become a reality. It allows businesses to develop prototypes and models of their products, even before the first goods hit the market, and hence accelerate marketing campaigns.
Due to the extremely rapid development of the technological world, there is a wide range of available 3D rendering software solutions for every taste and pocket.
Remember that software is like a pen that may or may not fit your current goals and abilities. So, to find the 3D rendering software that matches your needs completely, you must try Keyshot, 3ds Max, Maya, Modo, Toolbag, and the other top 3D rendering software.
