How to Start 3D Virtual Photography: A Complete Guide

The world of online shopping is rapidly evolving, and so are the expectations of consumers. Traditional 2D images, once the standard for product displays, are no longer enough to attract today’s savvy shoppers. As e-commerce grows more competitive, retailers are turning to innovative solutions like 3D virtual photography to enhance their product presentations and meet the demands of modern consumers.

Shoppers now expect a more interactive and immersive experience when browsing products online. With 3D virtual photography, retailers can provide just that—offering customers the ability to view products from any angle, zoom in on fine details, and even visualize them in different environments. This level of interactivity builds trust and helps consumers make more informed purchasing decisions, leading to higher engagement, fewer returns, and increased sales.

As this technology gains popularity, businesses are discovering how easy it is to adopt and integrate into their operations. In this article, we’ll walk you through the benefits of 3D virtual photography and show you how simple it is to get started in just three easy steps.

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3 Simple Steps to Get Started with 3D Virtual Photography

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Every business looking to elevate its e-commerce strategy and adopt a cost-effective solution must integrate 3D technology. Follow these simple steps to stay ahead of the competition and streamline your workflow with faster, more affordable results- 

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1. Choose Where to Display Your 3D Models

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Before ordering your 3D models, it’s important to determine how and where they will be used. This step is essential because there are two primary types of 3D models for e-commerce, each designed for specific 3D solutions. Making this decision early ensures you choose the right model type for your needs.

Unlike static product photos, 3D virtual photography provides unparalleled flexibility. It can be enhanced with interactive solutions like 3D and 360-degree viewers, augmented reality (AR), or photorealistic lifestyle scenes, all while remaining cost-effective. These advanced features allow you to deliver a more engaging and immersive experience for your customers.

The two main types of 3D models are Low-Poly and High-Poly, which differ in their polygon count. Each type serves a unique purpose depending on the intended application. Let’s explore when to use each type and how they can improve your e-commerce strategy.

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Low Poly Modeling

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Low-Poly modeling focuses on speed and efficiency, making it ideal for interactive environments. These models strike a balance between visual quality and performance, ensuring smooth functionality without overloading processing power. Common uses include:

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• 3D Viewers: Allow users to zoom, flip, and rotate products, offering a comprehensive view from every angle for a more interactive shopping experience.

• Augmented Reality (AR): Enable users to place products in real-world settings, such as trying on an item virtually or visualizing how it fits in a room.

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High Poly Modeling 

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High-Poly modeling emphasizes precision and detailed visual quality over interactivity. It is typically used for creating photorealistic representations of real-world objects, offering unmatched realism. Common applications include:

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• 360 Viewers: Also known as 360 Rotators, these showcase products in ultra-high definition. Users can interact by rotating the product 360 degrees to view it from every angle in stunning detail.

• 3D Virtual Photography: High-Poly models are placed into photorealistic 3D scenes to display products in various settings, styles, and interior designs. This approach highlights the product's aesthetic appeal and versatility

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2. Place Your 3D Model Order

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When you're ready to order, simply place your request through our all-in-one Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform. Here's what we'll need to create accurate and high-quality 3D models for you:

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• Reference Visuals: Provide 2–6 product images taken from different angles. The more detailed your visuals, the more precise the model will be.‍
• Product Dimensions or CAD Files: Accurate measurements or CAD files help ensure perfect scaling and detail.‍
• Final Deliverable Format: Specify the file type you need (e.g., .usdz, .gltf, silo renders, source files, or Modelry embed links).

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Additional Information (Optional): 

• SKU: A unique identifier for the product to keep things organized.
• Reference URL: A link to the product page for additional images or details.
• Asset Name: A short, descriptive name for the product.
• Additional Documentation: Files such as spec sheets or CAD drawings to provide extra guidance for our designers.

Providing these details ensures a seamless process and exceptional results tailored to your needs.

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3. Approve & Deploy 

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Approving and utilizing your 3D models is streamlined with the GlamAR DAM platform. This end-to-end solution manages every stage of the process—from requesting price quotes and placing orders to conducting quality assurance (QA) when models are ready—all within a single system. After approving your 3D model, the DAM platform allows you to store, manage, and distribute 3D models and other digital assets, such as CAD files, in one centralized location. This organization minimizes the risk of data duplication or asset loss and eliminates the inefficiency of searching for scattered files.

One of the standout benefits of the GlamAR DAM platform is its capability to create 3D solutions directly within the system, without needing additional software or tools. Through the platform, you can:

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• Store, manage, and organize all digital assets
• Conduct Quality Assurance (QA) procedures
• Share assets with team members and clients
• Place requests for new 3D modeling projects
• Upload pre-created 3D models
• Request additional demos

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The GlamAR DAM platform simplifies and centralizes your 3D asset workflow, offering a robust, efficient solution for managing digital assets.

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Retailers, It's Time to Skip Photoshoots and Adopt 3D Virtual Photography

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Adopting 3D virtual photography offers retailers the ability to create stunning, photorealistic product images without the time-consuming and expensive process of staging, shooting, and editing traditional photoshoots. By leveraging 3D technology, e-commerce businesses can produce interactive product visuals that provide customers with a more immersive shopping experience.

With 3D virtual photography, retailers can generate multiple images from a single 3D model, showcase their products from any angle, and even integrate augmented reality (AR) features for enhanced customer interaction. It’s faster, more cost-effective, and allows businesses to stay ahead of the competition by offering high-quality, dynamic visuals that cater to modern consumer expectations.

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"The Shopify report states that retailers who implement AR-based shopping experiences see a 70% increase in conversion rates, along with a notable 35% boost in average order value”.

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Top Benefits of Using 3D Virtual Photography:

Cost Efficiency

• Traditional photoshoots can be expensive due to the cost of photographers, models, props, location, and post-production. 3D virtual photography eliminates these costs, providing a far more affordable solution.
• According to a report by Statista, companies can reduce product image production costs by up to 60% when using 3D imaging over traditional photography.

Faster Production Time

• Traditional photoshoots require scheduling, setting up, and often, multiple revisions, making the process slow. With 3D virtual photography, models can be created and adjusted much more quickly.
• For example, retailers using 3D product visualization can produce a new product image in minutes, compared to days or weeks with traditional photography (source: Forrester Research).

Unlimited Image Variations from a Single Model

• Unlike traditional photoshoots, where each shot requires new setups and angles, 3D virtual photography allows you to generate hundreds of high-quality images from just one model.
• You can create 360-degree views, lifestyle images, and even AR-ready content without needing to reshoot, saving both time and resources.

Enhanced Customer Experience

• Customers expect interactive, engaging experiences. With 3D virtual photography, retailers can offer features like 360-degree rotation, zoom-in views, and even augmented reality (AR) options, giving shoppers the ability to visualize products in their space before purchasing.
• Studies from NPD Group show that AR experiences can increase conversion rates by 70%.

Consistency Across Platforms

• 3D models ensure consistency across different platforms and devices (mobile, desktop, AR). Unlike traditional photos, which can appear differently depending on lighting and resolution, 3D models maintain visual accuracy across all touchpoints.

Sustainability

• Traditional photoshoots often involve travel, energy consumption, and waste from physical props. By switching to 3D virtual photography, you reduce the environmental impact, aligning your business with sustainability goals.

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“According to Forrester Research, companies using 3D virtual photography see an up to 50% increase in productivity in their digital asset management and marketing processes”.

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Explore GlamAR’s Advanced Virtual Photography Solution

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GlamAR offers a practical solution to businesses looking to simplify product photography while enhancing the customer experience. By eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming photoshoots, we help you create high-quality, photorealistic images of your products quickly and efficiently. Our Virtual Photographer allows you to upload your content, and our team handles the rest—delivering stunning, ready-to-use images that are perfect for your e-commerce site.

Beyond just high-quality visuals, our Visual Discovery AI ensures that your products are presented in a way that makes it easy for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for. This improves product discovery, boosts engagement, and ultimately drives sales. With GlamAR, you save time, reduce costs, and offer an enhanced shopping experience that builds customer loyalty. Request a demo today and see how GlamAR can support your business in achieving better results.

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