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Daniel Erning
Content Marketing Manager

3D industrial visualization: innovations in technical product presentation

An engineer sits at his desk and interacts with a 3D industrial visualization of a technical plant on a screen
Published:
July 16, 2024

In the modern business world, 3D industrial visualizations have become an essential tool for product managers and marketing managers. They offer industrial companies the opportunity to present their physical products in an innovative and appealing way.
After all, companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector, whose target groups are usually B2B customers, must also sell themselves more and more broadly and use digital sales channels to do so. One-to-one communication has increasingly become one-to-many communication.
Last but not least, this means visually and communicatively convincing. Here, 3D industrial visualizations are a goldmine for marketing and sales.

This blog post highlights the importance and benefits of 3D industrial visualization and shows how technological advancements support this industry.

The importance of 3D industrial visualization

Increasing product perception

3D industrial visualizations enable companies to present their products in unprecedented detail. The photorealistic presentation allows potential customers to view the product from all angles and get a comprehensive picture of its features and design. This immersive experience improves product perception and increases the likelihood of a purchase.

Improving sales strategies

Integrating 3D visualizations into sales strategies has proven to be extremely effective. By presenting products in a realistic and appealing way, marketing teams can attract the attention of potential customers and spark their interest. In addition, 3D models make it possible to flexibly adapt the presentation to different target groups and markets, which significantly increases the efficiency of sales strategies. This means that you are complete digital and virtual product presentations possible.

Technological advancements in 3D visualization

Photorealistic representations

Thanks to the latest technologies in 3D industrial visualization, products can now be presented in a quality that is almost indistinguishable from real photos. These photorealistic images use advanced rendering techniques to faithfully simulate materials, lighting conditions, and shadows. A good example of this is our Contribution to CAD visualization, which explains how to transform CAD data into impressive visualizations.

Interactive 3D models

Interactive 3D models go a step further by giving customers the opportunity to virtually explore the product. By interacting with the model, users can test functions, move parts, and experience the product in a way that is not possible with traditional 2D images. This interactivity creates a deeper understanding and a stronger connection to the product.

Virtual and augmented reality

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are other exciting developments in 3D industrial visualization. VR allows users to dive into a completely virtual environment and experience products in a realistic environment. AR, on the other hand, overlays digital information over the real world, allowing customers to see and test the product in their own environment. These technologies offer unique opportunities to improve customer experience and make buying decisions easier.

3D industrial visualization and industry 4.0

The role of 3D visualization in Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 stands for the fourth industrial revolution, which is characterized by the digitization and networking of production processes. 3D industrial visualization plays a central role in this context. It enables seamless integration of design, production and marketing by creating digital twins that represent real products in a virtual environment.

Benefits of integration into Industry 4.0

The integration of 3D industrial visualization into Industry 4.0 offers numerous advantages. Digital twins can be updated in real time to reflect the current state of a product or production plant. This makes it easier to monitor, maintain and optimize production processes. Simulations can also be carried out to test the performance of products under various conditions without having to produce physical prototypes. For more information on this topic, read our article about PLM and CGI.

Practical examples and future prospects

In practice, companies that have integrated 3D visualizations into their Industry 4.0 strategies have noticed significant improvements in the efficiency and flexibility of their production processes. The ability to integrate data from various sources and visualize it in a virtual environment enables better decision-making and faster response times to market demands. The future development of these technologies will further expand the possibilities of Industry 4.0 and open up new potential for product visualization.

Application of 3D industrial visualization in various industries

automotive

3D industrial visualization is already firmly established in the automotive industry. Manufacturers use them to present new vehicle models before they are launched on the market. These visualizations enable customers to view the vehicle from all sides, look inside and even change the color selection. This detailed and realistic presentation arouses the interest of customers and increases their willingness to buy.

consumer goods industry

3D visualization also plays an important role in the consumer goods industry. Companies use them to present their products in an appealing way and to support the launch of new products. A good example of this is our article about How 3D rendering improves prototyping and product design. By using 3D models, product designers can work faster and more efficiently, resulting in shorter development times and more cost-effective production processes.

Mechanical and plant engineering

In mechanical and plant engineering, technical visualization enables a better presentation of complex products. Through detailed 3D models, engineers and customers can better understand the functioning and structure of machines. These visualizations are particularly useful when explaining technical details and training employees. They can also be used to review and optimize designs before actual production.

From practice

Successful deployments

There are numerous examples of successful implementations of 3D industrial visualizations. Companies from various industries have significantly improved their marketing and sales strategies by using this technology. Here are some references from the 3D agency RenderThat:

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ROI through 3D visualization

Investing in 3D visualization technologies can result in a positive return on investment (ROI). By improving product presentation and sales strategies, companies can increase their sales while reducing costs. The efficiency and flexibility of 3D visualization help products to be brought to market faster and more effectively. For more details on integrating CGI into Product Lifecycle Management, see our Article about PLM and CGI.

Importance of marketing and sales in B2B business

The fusion of B2B and B2C practices

Traditionally, marketing and sales strategies differ significantly in the B2B and B2C sectors. While B2C companies rely heavily on emotional incentives and impulsive buying behavior, B2B companies focused on rational decisions and formal business relationships for a long time. In recent years, however, B2C practices have become increasingly established in B2B business. Factors such as digitalization, changing customer needs and increasing competition have led to B2B companies also placing more emphasis on appealing and customer-oriented marketing strategies.

Personalization and customer experience

Personalization is a key success factor in B2B marketing. Today, B2B customers expect tailor-made solutions and an individual approach, similar to the B2C sector. Companies that personalize their marketing and sales strategies can strengthen customer loyalty and increase their sales opportunities. Customer experience also plays a central role. B2B customers place great value on smooth and positive interaction with the company, from initial contact to after-sales support.

Content marketing and storytelling

Content marketing and storytelling are other strategies that have been adopted from the B2C sector and are becoming increasingly important in B2B marketing. By providing valuable content, companies can demonstrate their expertise and build trust with potential customers. Storytelling helps to present complex products and services in an understandable and appealing way. This creates an emotional connection with the customer and makes the company and its products more tangible.

Use of digital tools and platforms

Digitalization has fundamentally changed the way B2B companies do marketing and sales. Digital tools and platforms enable companies to reach their target groups precisely and carry out targeted marketing campaigns. Social media, email marketing, webinars, and online presentations are just a few of the ways B2B companies are using to reach and inform their customers. In addition, analysis tools provide valuable insights into customer behavior and needs, which makes it easier to optimize marketing strategies.

Support through 3D visualizations

3D visualizations play an important role in this context. They offer an innovative way to present products in an appealing and interactive way. Through photorealistic representations and interactive models, companies can present their products in detail and comprehensible, which increases customer loyalty and sales opportunities. VR and AR technologies also provide an immersive product experience that positively influences the purchase decision. 3D visualizations thus support modern marketing and sales strategies in the B2B sector.

3D visualizations are computer-generated images (CGI) based on a digital twin of the product created in 3D. In the marketing sector, there is therefore also an increasing number of CGI Marketing spoken. Any content can be created in this way. Depending on the application, this form of production of static and moving images is even significantly cheaper and can be scaled sustainably.

Conclusion and future outlook

Summary of benefits

3D industrial visualization offers numerous benefits for companies that manufacture and sell physical products. Through photorealistic presentations, interactive models and the use of VR and AR, products can be presented in an innovative and appealing way. These technologies improve product perception, support sales strategies and contribute to positive ROI.

Future developments

Further advances in 3D visualization technology are expected in the future. New rendering techniques, advanced interactivity features, and improved VR and AR experiences will further expand product presentation options. Companies that take advantage of these developments at an early stage can gain a competitive advantage and strengthen their market position.

Recommendations for action

For product and marketing managers who want to take advantage of 3D industrial visualization, there are some practical tips. First, they should analyze the specific needs of their target group and the requirements of their products. They can then select appropriate 3D visualization technologies and integrate them into their marketing strategies. It is also advisable to stay informed about the latest developments and trends in 3D visualization to always be up to date and achieve the best results.

FAQ

What is 3D industrial visualization?3D industrial visualization refers to the use of 3D models and renderings to represent physical products. These visualizations can be photorealistic and offer interactive features to improve product presentation.

How can 3D visualization improve the sales process?By using 3D visualizations, products can be presented in a more realistic and appealing way. This arouses customer interest, makes it easier to understand the product features and can positively influence the purchase decision.

Which industries benefit the most from 3D industrial visualization?Industries that benefit most from 3D industrial visualizations include the automotive industry, the consumer goods industry, and mechanical and plant engineering. These industries use the technology to present their products in detail and interactively, resulting in better sales figures and higher customer satisfaction.

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