Previous
Discover augmented reality (AR) and Web AR product visualization using PhotoRobot’s top 3D & AR content hosting platforms.
AR product experiences help consumers to better visualize, virtually try out, and try on products. Take for example popular AR product viewers that allow mobile and tablet users to digitally try on shoes, eyewear, and clothing. By simply scanning a QR code, consumers can project items directly onto the body, or into any virtual space.
There are also often immersive, on-the-fly customization options, allowing for quick swaps of colors, designs, and other interchangeable features. Other popular examples include AR product visualization of furniture or decor for interior design planning. That, and AR product demos of complex & technical parts across automotive, engineering, electrical, and mechanical industries.
But how do photo studios digitize products for 3D & AR hosting platforms? Read ahead for a demonstration of the often single-click production workflow in the PhotoRobot Studio. We describe everything from the automated photography, to 3D model creation and optimization for AR platforms like Emersya or Sketchfab.
In the PhotoRobot-powered studio, AR product visualization begins with the robotized 360-degree capture of an item. This is usually using a 3D photography turntable like the Frame, which boasts a design for faster multi-row image capture. The Frame also automatically produces photos on a pure white background, while rapidly photographing all sides, top, and bottom views.
Automatic image optimization and post-processing then ensures the quality of photos necessary to render a 3D model using photogrammetry software. This takes only minutes with PhotoRobot, which scans photos using Apple Object Capture to generate the 3D model. It is then possible to optimize the 3D model file on 3D & AR product visualization platforms.
In fact, the entire production workflow from capturing product photos to generating the 3D model often takes under 2 minutes. Additionally, the procedure produces a series of still images and a 3D product spin in tandem. This way, companies achieve multiple outputs for various marketing campaigns on top of the 3D model for rendering in AR.
High-quality photography is necessary to ensure accurate 3D model rendering for AR product visualization. There must be photos from multiple angles and often 2+ elevations around the item. That includes at least one photo capturing a top view of the object, and at least one photo capturing a bottom view.
At the same time, precise background removal and optimization needs to ensure all photos have a pure white background. That will improve the overall quality & accuracy when rendering a 3D model from photos. This is also a fundamental use case of the Frame turntable, with its design aiming to streamline 3D model photography. Although other PhotoRobot turntables are similarly capable, the Frame is truly unique with its dual-axis 360-degree rotation and optical plate.
These features deliver high-speed precision when capturing all angles, multiple elevations, and top or bottom views. The device has a built-in robotic arm that positions the camera always opposite an integrated diffusion background. Meanwhile, the camera moves along a vertical trajectory, from -60 degrees to +90 degrees. The arm moves in sync with the backdrop as well, allowing for the capture of all photos without needing to reposition the product at all.
It also captures each frame according to presets – in only a few clicks of the mouse. PhotoRobot automatically adjusts the height of the camera to capture each row, including from below the optical plate. This often takes no longer than 2 minutes in total to capture & automatically post-process images. Afterwards, PhotoRobot Controls Software can then scan the photos and start creating the 3D model at a single click.
Integration of Apple Object Capture within PhotoRobot Controls allows for 3D model rendering in multiple file formats. The most popular is USDZ, which is best for iOS / macOS AR (although has limited support elsewhere). Other formats include STL (universal support for 3D printing), and OBJ / MTL (wide support across platforms, ideal for sharing detailed models & materials). However, the USDZ file format is the most common when producing content for AR visualization.
To produce the 3D model, the Object Capture integration will scan photos and begin rendering a 3D file. After telling PhotoRobot to “Create 3D model”, there are only two settings to configure: Sensitivity, and Object Masking. Sensitivity relates to how sensitive the algorithm responds, while Object masking automatically separates the background from objects. It’s possible to use default settings here, or to adjust both to customize the model before rendering.
Pressing Start in the software then renders the 3D file, which requires more or less time depending on the processing power in use. In some cases, it does take a little more time to render the file. For example, an Apple Mac Studio often completes this operation in under 3 minutes, while the Mac Mini takes approximately 3.5 minutes.
After rendering the 3D model, it is possible to preview the file using AR Quick Look, Finder, or basic image preview programs on Mac. This is the stage where it is important to inspect the digital model from side-to-side and top-to-bottom. It is crucial to zoom into the object, and to inspect for any areas that might not have fully rendered.
There may also be visual aspects that could benefit from further customization or optimization. If this is the case, it requires only rendering the 3D file again using the same photos with the new settings in the software.
Then, when satisfactory, transforming the 3D model into AR product visualization requires a 3D content hosting platform.
3D & AR platforms like PhotoRobot’s long-time partner Emersysa provide interactive 3D & AR viewers embeddable on any website or platform. Available by purchasing an annual subscription, the viewer enables the hosting & publishing of 3D model files online in various formats.
There are no plug-ins necessary to display content, while embedding the viewer takes only seconds using a simple line of code. It follows the same process as embedding videos to a webpage. Companies embed the viewer using an iFrame with HTML code, using script, or using tags. Viewer options then allow for customization of the viewer size, language, appearance, preset colors / design, and compatibility. These will determine the general display settings for publishing the 3D files online.
After uploading a 3D model, users can customize the product on the platform, and instantly preview items in AR mode. Users can experiment with different colorways in AR to best match a room’s decor, or to visualize configurations to scale. This also helps to see if the product will fit into the available surrounding space.
While traditional AR requires installing a separate app, Web AR allows customers to experience AR content directly through a browser. This is the case on the Emersya platform, which requires no additional downloads or installing apps.
Customers visualize products in their own physical surroundings using a mobile or tablet with an integrated camera. They can seamlessly visualize, virtually try-on, and try-out products by simply scanning a QR code or visiting the product URL.
In our opinion, it’s a top-class try-before-buying experience, ideal for trying on items like eyewear and apparel directly from a product page. Customers can also swap colors, design & material options within the AR experience, helping them find the most suitable product faster.
3D & AR platforms enable companies to configure product experiences online in real-time. Users simply switch back and forth between optimizing the 3D model and the AR preview mode. Previews allow for instant inspection of the item, as well as trying it out and resizing it in context of its surroundings. It is also possible to customize default product positioning, and color selection to explore all possibilities. Take for example adjusting the size, color, or interactions of a 3D product like furniture or stackable shelves in a virtual room. Users optimize in 3D, and then test in AR before publishing on product pages to share with customers.
In addition to Emersya, there are numerous options for AR & web-based AR platforms. Each is often affordable, and easily accessible even if on a tighter budget. If looking into your options, the following might be worth consideration.
Moreover, 3D data also has native support in Google and Apple. This means that opening and utilizing 3D data is similar to opening a standard image. There is also wide support in terms of augmented reality functions, which is one of the main appeals. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to project a sofa that they see online directly into their living room? That, or virtually try on a pair of shoes, swapping colors & designs in and out on-the-fly? All without leaving the home!
Any customizable item or product that calls for trying-on or trying-out may benefit from augmented reality visualization. This is true across eCommerce & industries, from fashion to luxury products, electronics, or complex and technical items like automotive parts and machinery. Augmented reality helps make products interactive through immersive presentation. Take the following common items taking advantage of AR in eCommerce product visuals for example.
Does your business require a faster, simpler and more scalable way to capture, process, and distribute imagery in 3D & AR? Find out how PhotoRobot can help integrate AR into your studio’s production workflows today. We help studios generate content in 2D + 360 + 3D, and for AR / VR product experiences – all at the same time. Discover tools tailorable to each customer’s unique challenges, while also providing benefit to the entire PhotoRobot ecosystem. Just reach out to start connecting or upgrading your studio with AR and PhotoRobot technology.
