3D CGI Configurators vs. 3D WebAR Configurators:
Which Do You Need?

In e-commerce, especially for furniture, new technologies constantly change the way customers interact with products. Entering such a limelight comes with two solutions, namely 3D CGI Product Configurators and 3D WebAR Configurators. While both are targeted to enrich the shopping experience, their approach is very different. Focalis 3D Visualization Studio provides a close look at the differences of these technologies and the unique benefits derived from each.

3D CGI Product Configurators

3D CGI product configurators are interactive applications that enable users to configure their products through high-quality computer-generated imagery. Typically, such configurators come in the form of a set of images/frames showcasing different configurations, materials, and colors. Users can see on the spot what the product would look like with this or that feature after a few clicks through different options. These viewers can be easily integrated with your existing Web platforms such as Woocommerce, Shopify, Wix, Magento etc.

Key Characteristics:

• Static Images: These are product images previously rendered in a library. The configurator requires virtually shooting each variation as a set of separate renders to feed into the viewer, which automatically generates the spin of the product.
• Interactivity: “Drag and Rotate” or “Spin” features covers the product various angles. The more pre-rendered frames feed into the CGI viewer, the smoother the SPIN will be. Smooth product spin normally requires anywhere between 20 to 50 frames per product SKU.
• Performance: 3D CGI viewers are powerful tools for optimizing the size of the images to a maximum while reducing the impact on image quality. It thus gives a smooth navigation without changing any of the image resolution and quality.

Pros:

• High Realism: This is because product images get to be pre-rendered with the use of powerful rendering software, fully showcasing texture and depth of materials. The results in most cases are impressive.
• Disadvantages: For highly customizable products, it could be expensive to establish them. Just think of how many SKUs you need to show. In case that is above 50,000 SKUs, you are probably better off going with a WebAR 3D solution.

3D WebAR Configurators

3D WebAR configurators take customization to the next dimension by allowing users to interact with completely 3D models of products. Such solutions use real-time rendering tools that generate any sort of product variation right at that moment.

Key Characteristics:

• Real-Time 3D Rendering: WebAR solutions render 3D models of products on the fly; this allows users to see what different configurations look like in real time, not a single frame is pre-rendered.
• AR Integration: It will be enabled through the camera of the device to show how the product will look and fit in one’s environment.
• Interactive: Users will rotate, zoom, or view products from different angles for a wider view of how a product would look and feel.

Pros:

• Immersive Experience: Users can visualize products in their space and interact with them as if it were in their real environment, instilling confidence in their purchasing decision.
• Highly Configurable: Real-time rendering lets users make unlimited changes in configuration and get immediate results. If your furniture products are highly configurable, then perhaps a 3D WebAR solution might be right for your organization.

Disadvantages:

• Limited Realism: Since all the different permutations are not pre-rendered in advance, a 3D WebAR configurator will not look as photorealistic compared to a 3D CGI Configurator. Users can clearly see them as a 3D representation vs. a 3D CGI where it’s nearly impossible to distinguish vs. photography.

Both 3D CGI and 3D WebAR configurators come with their unique advantages and applications. While 3D CGI configurators are excellent for a simple, super-realistic and quick customization experience, with less technical requirement, 3D WebAR provides a more interactive, rich experience that allows users to better visualize how the products would fit in. You might go with one over the other based on your needs and resources, or even both in combination, like in Focalis example here. Depending on your budget and what you can pull off for an altogether shopping experience.