Discover the power of 3D rendering software
High-quality images made using 3D rendering software appear in films, advertising, magazines, and social media. We explain exactly what 3D rendered images are, why they are so popular, and what rendering software the experts choose.
What is 3D rendering?
Let’s start with the most obvious question: what is 3D rendering? In simple terms, a 3D render is a high-quality 2D image of a three-dimensional computer generated model. You can think of a 3D render as being somewhat like a photograph, except that a 3D render depicts a digitized object, instead of a physical one. 3D renders can be created to look exactly like real objects, or they can be purposely made to look non-realistic.
Photorealistic 3D rendering is often used in advertising, education, product development, and other purposes that require visuals with a high degree of realism. These images are so finely detailed that it is often impossible to tell the difference between a photorealistic 3D rendered image and an actual photograph.
On the other hand, non-realistic 3D rendered images are intentionally not supposed to look like real objects. These images are often cartoon-like or fantastical. Non-realistic 3D rendered images are highly stylized and based on traditional artistic techniques like drawing or painting. They are commonly used in artworks, animation, and video games.
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How does 3D rendering work?
To create a 3D rendered image, a designer first needs to use CAD design software to create a 3D model. This model is refined by adding lighting details and complex textures. The designer will then use dedicated CAD rendering software to take the data from the 3D model and transform it into a high-resolution 2D image. The designer may then choose to further refine the 3D rendered image with additional textural or lighting details to embellish its features.
The 3D rendering process – an example
You can think of the 3D rendering design process in this way: Imagine a sculptor making a statue. The sculptor does this by forming a ball of clay into the desired shape. Once it has been completed, the statue exists in three dimensions, so it can be viewed from any angle. The sculptor can improve the statue by adding details such as coloring or textures to make it more lifelike or to exaggerate its features. These first steps are representative of the 3D modeling and texturing process.
The sculptor decides they wish to photograph the statue. The statue is placed in front of a background and the lighting is carefully arranged. The camera captures an image that shows how the light reflects off the statue. This is indicative of how 3D rendering software generates a 2D image from a 3D model.
The difference between 3D rendering and 3D visualization
The term 3D visualization is used to describe the entire process of creating a realistic digital image. 3D rendering is one of the last steps in the visualization process.
The difference between 3D modeling and 3D rendering
As we can see from the example above, 3D modeling is the process of creating a digital model that replicates a real object. 3D rendering is the process of taking that 3D model and creating a high-quality 2D image from it.
How 3D rendering is used today
What is 3D rendering used for? A wide variety of industries use 3D rendered images to communicate with customers and colleagues. Because 3D images are able to show incredibly detailed and lifelike representations of any object, they are used by almost every type of business imaginable.
Television, film, and video games
Originally, 3D rendering was used mostly by television, film, and video game companies for animating characters and creating special effects. It now plays a fundamental role in creating captivating visual sequences. Animation sequences are created by compositing several 3D rendered images together. Blockbuster movies, children's television programs, and best-selling computer games seamlessly integrate visual effects crafted by sophisticated 3D visualization software, employing advanced techniques such as ray tracing for lifelike renderings.
Architecture and Construction
The way we design, build, and decorate our homes and offices has been drastically changed by 3D rendering. Architectural companies now use photorealistic renders to provide clients with detailed visualizations of proposed building projects. Interior designers can create realistic mock-ups of how a room may look. Some 3D CAD rendering programs allow designers to create virtual tours of buildings.
Industrial design and product development
Photorealistic product rendering allows the industrial design process to be faster and more cost-effective than ever. Designers and engineers utilize 3D models and renders to exhibit and assess products, components, and machinery without the necessity of physical prototypes, employing advanced graphics and animation techniques to simulate real-world effects.
Advertising and marketing
3D rendering product images are also often used in advertising and marketing. It is usually quicker and much less expensive to produce a 3D render than to stage a photo or video shoot.
The different types of 3D rendering software
CPU-Based 3D Rendering Software
This software creates 3D rendered images by using the power of a computer’s inbuilt central processing unit (CPU).
GPU-Based 3D Rendering Software
Much the same as CPU-based 3D rendering software except these programs use the computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU). GPU rendering can be faster than CPU rendering. However, CPU rendering allows for the use of more features which makes it better for photorealistic renders.
Hybrid 3D Rendering Software
This software combines CPU-based 3D rendering and GPU-based 3D rendering by using both of these components to produce 3D renders. V-Ray is an example of a well-known hybrid rendering program.
Cloud-Based 3D Rendering Software
Rendering in the cloud allows designers to harness the power of multiple computers instead of relying on one machine. Cloud rendering is significantly faster than both CPU and GPU rendering.
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The benefits of 3D rendering
You may be wondering just why would a company choose to produce a 3D rendered image rather than a drawing or a photograph. While traditional drawings and photos still have their place, it turns out that there are several benefits to using 3D rendered images.
The amount of control that a designer has over every aspect of the image can result in more realistic and incredibly precise depictions of an object. For instance, a 3D rendered image allows designers to have absolute control over the lighting. There’s no need to wait for perfect conditions or waste time setting up a lighting rig.
Using a 3D rendered image enables designers to create exact visualizations of objects before they are physically created. Every feature of a proposed product or building can be represented in the finest detail. This drastically increases the marketing potential, allows for faster design iterations, and cuts development costs.
Common 3D rendering techniques
Ray tracing
Used to render light and shadows by tracking digital photons in lines to mimic how light reflects and refracts in reality.
Global illumination
This technique simulates the way the light bounces indirectly. It is also used to depict color bleeds.
Path tracing
Similar to ray tracing, however, instead of tracing numerous light paths, a computer algorithm traces only one light path.
Scanline rendering
Also known as wireframe rendering, this process uses algorithms to determine visible surfaces.
Radiosity
Radiosity is used to depict shading and how light diffuses and reflects on surfaces.
Real-time rendering
Also called interactive rendering, this process generates animated images so quickly that they appear to be occurring in real-time. Real-time rendering is used in video games and animation.
Pre-rendered image
Sometimes referred to as offline rendering, this method is used to create realistic images that appear at a later time, unlike real-time rendering which produces images instantaneously.
Interactive 3D models
Interactive 3D models are highly realistic models that exist in a digital space and can be manipulated by users.
The history of 3D rendering
The early beginning
Architects, engineers, and artists were using wireframe models and illustrations to plan out their creations as far back as the Italian Renaissance. Metal wires were used to build three-dimensional objects that provided a visual guide for buildings and equipment. These rudimentary wireframe models were to form the basis for the powerful CAD software that was to come.
The modern history of 3D rendering
The modern history of 3D rendering starts in the 1960s and 1970s when computer programmers developed software that could replicate physical wireframe models. The Sketchpad program by A. Sutherland was the first instance of digital 3D modeling.
This concept was refined in the 1970s by researchers at the University of Utah, including Martin Newell who employed sophisticated 3D modeling techniques to create the now iconic ‘Utah teapot’. Further advances came with the development of the z-buffer algorithm by Ed Catmull and Turned Whitted’s work on recursive ray tracing.
3D rendering becomes widespread
In the 1980s, binary space partitioning (BSP) trees, texture models, and blobby mapping were introduced by American computer scientist Jim Blinn. These innovations led to the widespread use of 3D rendering in animation, although other industries soon saw the potential of the technology.
The 80s saw the rise of 3D rendering in architecture, most notably by Zaha Hadid who used CAD visualizations and 3D rendering for her 1983 design of The Peak Leisure Club in Hong Kong. Before long, the majority of architects, construction experts, and industrial designers were turning away from their pencils, paper, and drafting tools and towards CAD software and 3D rendered images.
With the development of more powerful computers and software, 3D rendering became widespread in the 1990s. The movie Toy Story was released and quickly shot to fame as the first film made using 3D rendering. The 1990s saw video games move from pixelated artwork to completely 3D rendered graphics.
By the dawn of the millennium, 3D rendered images were commonplace and being used for everything from social media advertising to big screen special effects to architectural models and product prototypes.
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The future of 3D rendering
Just as it would be impossible for someone in the 1960s to imagine how the simple wireframes of Sketchpad would lead to the innovations of today, it is difficult to precisely say what the future holds for 3D rendering. However, we can make a few educated guesses as to what developments may occur in the coming years.
As technology advances, we are sure to see increasingly hyper-realistic 3D rendered images surpassing even the highly sophisticated images we have now. Future developments in 3D rendering will allow us to experience realistic, completely immersive digital environments. Augmented reality and virtual reality are sure to expand the ways in which 3D visualizations can be utilized as entertainment, as educational tools, and for architectural and product design purposes.
3D rendering, conclusion and perspectives
In modern life, we are literally surrounded by 3D rendered images. 3D images fill our visual space as we watch our televisions, learn new concepts, browse social media, flip through magazines, or relax while watching movies or playing video games.
The flexibility and versatility of 3D rendering software give professionals the power to develop new ways of designing products, create mind-blowing entertainment, and construct more sustainable and resource-efficient vehicles and buildings. 3D rendering is now a crucial tool for an incredibly diverse range of industries such as healthcare, architecture, graphic design, and aerospace, to name but a few. It is clear that the power of 3D rendering will continue to shape our world.
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Frequently Asked Questions 3D rendering software
It can take anywhere from two to three weeks to complete a highly complex 3D rendered image
3D rendering allows for easier communication and collaboration between stakeholders and cuts costs by speeding up the iteration process.
3D rendered images are crucial for both virtual reality and augmented reality applications.
Real-time rendering images are created instantaneously, such as in video games, while pre-rendered images are static.
System specifications for 3D rendering software will differ depending on the type of software you are using and whether it is a hybrid, GPU, CPU, or cloud-based program. It is always advisable to check with the manufacturer for exact system requirements.