With 3D modeling technology becoming increasingly important in e-commerce, you can see how 3D models are a common sight to behold. Whether it is a website, social media, augmented reality filters, or the metaverse, everything comprises highly optimized 3D models that are responsive, beautiful, realistic, and can be manipulated very easily. The focus here should be on “highly optimized”.
If you want to reduce the data required to process, render, manipulate, and display 3D models substantially, the only way to do that is to be successful in 3S asset optimization. There are primary two broad stages in 3D model optimization. The first is mesh decimation and the second is texture optimization.
But before we get into the details of how that is made possible and how the GLTF format comes into the picture and changes the game for 3D modeling companies, let’s understand a few challenges that are commonplace in this industry.
A Wide Variety Of Inputs And References
1. Reference Images
Reference images usually are the first and the most preferred source of information for various 3D artists. Some of them are not high resolution. A lot of them are low quality which makes it very difficult for the artist to determine the shape, dimensions, and proportions of the product shown in the image. This is a major drawback of 2D representations of products which is also called product photography.
Challenge Presented
There are visible discrepancies between the actual product and its 3D representation
2. CAD Files
When the source of information for a 3D model is a CAD drawing, things become a little too technical for the artist. As we all know that a CAD drawing is just a drawing. It doesn’t necessarily give you clarity about the textures, surfaces, and also material information. Therefore, the 3D representation that comes out is somewhat flawed or incomplete.
Challenge Presented
There are visible discrepancies between the actual product and the 3D model
3. Scans
Scans are some of the most incredible ways to create 3D assets without involving a 3D artist or any software at all. But is it efficient? To make this process a success, one has to invest in several sets of scanners and highly trained personnel to carry out the scanning job. This is theoretically possible but practically very expensive and complicated to perform.
Challenge Presented
No economies of scale
Complicated to perform
Might not be accurate
May result in an excessive polygon count
4. Existing Models
Existing models also become a very useful source of information but there are certain issues with them as well. Some of those files do tend to get corrupted over time. Also as technology advances, the older extensions and file types become obsolete. There is also a significant data loss in some of the existing models as time passes by which makes it very difficult for the 3D content creator to come up with legible and realistic 3D models.
Challenge Presented
File compatibility issues
May get corrupted or unusable over time
Loss of texture
5. Object And FBX File
The biggest drawback of object and FBX files is that they are not of high quality. These assets are very generic and not able to hold the texture coordinates or even the actual material that is used to create a final model. It is just a mesh of polygons that has to be worked upon again to deliver the final 3D representation.
Challenge Presented
No texture or material value
The polygons and shapes might need to be worked upon again
Files may get corrupted over time
Compatibility issues
Getting the product reference right is essential for 3D model creation. It is then required of the 3D modeling services provider to create various versions of the same models so that they can be deployed and distributed across various platforms such as online marketplaces, brand websites, social media, augmented reality filters, virtual reality gears, gaming platforms, and the like.
But all of them have different requirements which can be more/less polygon count, details in texture, size of the file, file extension, and many more.
This Is Where 3D Asset Optimization Of The Next Level Comes Into The Picture
The GLTF format which is also known as the GL Transmission Format is a very popular 3D model file format that can store your 3D models in a very efficient manner. So regardless of whether you have created a high-poly model from an unclear CAD drawing or built up on an obsolete OBJ file from your old archive, everything can be optimized.
This format is highly portable and compact. Created by the Khronos Group in 2015, it has become an industry-standard quite fast. The purpose was to develop open standards that would authorize and accelerate 3D graphics creation. This format is based on the JSON standard. This makes it easy to use and lends it support for various platforms.
The GLTF stores all the important information relating to a 3D scene such as the original mesh, the textures and materials used, cameras, camera movement schemes, skins, and animation among any other properties you can possibly think of.
What does this mean? This means that you get a highly useful and practical 3D object that has all its properties intact and you can use it across different platforms and applications seamlessly.
The GLTF File Format And Easy 3D Asset Optimization
The biggest question that a 3D product visualization company would ask is how this format promises to maximize its efficiency and optimize 3D asset distribution. This is a valid point and one can understand it better by knowing what the GLTF format does.
The biggest advantage of this format is that it is highly optimized for the web. It is lightweight, efficient, and perfect for streaming 3D models and scenes in real time over the internet.
The GLTF format benefits every 3D modeling services company out there by storing the data in a very compact binary format. This makes it easier to work with as compared to other file formats.
It facilitates compression, conversion, and automation which is quality asset validation. These models when converted into the GLTF file format can be used across various platforms such as E-Commerce websites, brand websites, social media platforms, 3D product configurators, AR-enabled try-on applications, view-in your-room apps, 360-degree viewing apps, and a lot more.
3D asset optimization with the GLTF format is a revolutionary step in the right direction. Care to find out more about it? Connect with SuperDNA 3D Lab today.
