What do Coca-Cola, Audi, Nike, and IKEA have in common? They’re just some of the globally-recognizable brands that have replaced traditional advertising shoots with Computer Generated Imagery (CGI). 

In fact, most of the photos in IKEA catalogs aren’t photos at all, but CGI renderings. The Swedish furniture giant’s store has been using the technology since 2010. So, what gives? Why are businesses looking to 3D technology instead of traditional photography? 

Photographing products in action requires lighting, logistics, a crew of several people, and can cost nearly eight times the price of photorealistic CGI renders. The main benefit in harnessing 3D technology is it can save businesses of all sizes time and money. On average, CGI that uses 3D models and expert photorealistic rendering instead of traditional photography can cost $50 to $200 per scene – depending on a variety of factors like simplicity or complexity of a scene…yet this is still a fraction of the cost of an on-set photoshoot. 

Just think of those detailed IKEA showroom photos. The set requirements are complex for a brand that’s built around customization. Each kitchen requires appliances, dishes in the cupboards, lighting, and decor details from cookbooks on the shelves to hanging plants and artwork on the walls. 

The process involves a lot of logistics – not only do you need to create a realistic environment, but you also need to hire a photographer and light the scene to create realistic shadows. This can involve location rental fees, set decoration, grips to move the light around, and designers. 

In contrast, CGI can accomplish the same look – or even better – with fewer moving parts. With 3D modeling and rendering software, showcase your products against a white background or create realistic, highly detailed, and accurate virtual environments. With just a few clicks, you can light scenes for daylight or night. You aren’t locked into the environment you’re shooting in with CGI, but can showcase your products in a variety of scenarios to appeal to a wide range of customers.

Photography will cost you the price of getting your products from point A to point B – and back again. 

You’ll need to pull your products from inventory, prepare them to ensure they won’t get damaged in shipping to the photography set, transport them there, and then return the products to your inventory site. Each of these steps represents an added fee and based on the size of whatever it is you’re photographing, costs can range from standard fare to astronomical.

All of these steps can be skipped with CGI product rendering. Instead of transporting products we can work off of existing design files or create new 3D models. Just the cost reduction of transportation alone can save you about 60% of your budget compared to traditional photography, not to mention the headache of orchestrating multiple shipments and deliveries. 

Once your 3D assets have been created, they can be quickly updated at a moment’s notice. Even if your product comes in several different colors or other varieties, all you need is a base 3D model to work off of. As your scalable 3D partner, Loft3Di can unlock infinite customization potential for your business. 

Another important consideration is that in order to photograph your product, it needs to be manufactured. Often that means multiple prototypes – and potential waste. With CGI modeling, your product marketing can begin even before the product has been created.

While photo editing and touch-ups have come a long way, there’s still a limit to what kinds of changes you can make in post-production. 

For big changes, like photographing a new model of your product, you’ll need to plan a whole new photoshoot. 

Once Loft3Di has created 3D models of your products, swapping out a chrome finish for brushed copper is an easy fix that only takes a matter of seconds. If your brand ends up introducing new variations or colors down the road, we can work off of existing models. 

The sky’s the limit when it comes to adjustment options with CGI. It’s never too late to add more details or tweak a model, and it’s possible to make those changes efficiently instead of wrestling to make a photograph fit your concept or starting from scratch with a whole new photoshoot. Even the end product is malleable. You’ll have realistic, detailed, and accurate content that can be used through all your marketing efforts – from eCommerce product pages to social media to how-to videos and immersive 3D experiences. 

Whether you’re a multinational company or a small business, it’s worth working with a 3D modeling service. Loft3Di can help you create photorealistic models at scale and you’ll be able to cut all those costs, avoid complex logistics, and invest in something that can be adapted and revised for all your projects to come. 

Loft3Di can help you determine the best path toward a cost-saving CGI strategy of your own. Just send us a note.