When the pandemic hit, it was as if the tap was turned off for parts of the business in the construction and manufacturing sector, and supply to the site simply stopped. Despite the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry quickly recovered and implemented various continuity strategies for sustained growth. Within a three-to-four-day period, contractors looked for new ways of working to ensure productivity.
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In 2020, the global construction market reached a value of USD 11.7 trillion, estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2023 and 2028.
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As per the Global Construction Market Outlook, Expert Market Research, the expected construction market growth rate through 2031 is a staggering 11.5%.
If your manufacturing & construction company needs a boost in its marketing strategy or is struggling with the manufacturing process, 3D configuration may be the solution you are looking for!
The Next Big Thing in Construction and Manufacturing – 3D Configuration
The world we operate in is constantly transforming. Gone are the days of sketching, drawings, and models. 3D product configurators’ evolution has led construction and manufacturing industries into the virtual world.
Today we can step into a virtual building and see the entire project, from exterior color to the pipes laid inside the wall. The 3D product configuration has opened a new connection between business owners and their customers. In this post, we will discuss all that you must know about 3D web configurators.
The Issue Faced By Construction & Manufacturing Companies
- Canary in a Coal Mine Syndrome - Some businesses behave like a canary in a coal mine that signals dangerous changes by falling quiet and dropping dead. Instead, to survive, construction and manufacturing companies must evolve by embracing technologies that support automation and integrated project delivery. Your business is left with two options: step up or fall fatally behind!
- Clutter Flutter - An uptick in the market has not magically made the challenges disappear. In other words, the path to construction is not rosy as it may seem. For instance, a manager’s desk is usually covered with orders, receipts, contracts, construction drawings, and insurance confirmations. Failing to manage them properly can lead to extremely serious consequences.
- Say What? - Meanwhile, communication between various contractors remains one of the biggest challenges. Delayed or inconsistent reporting, miscommunication between stakeholders, and other problems lead to project delays, unnecessary rework, increase in project costs, and disputes.
- You Snooze You Lose- Making matters worse, is that the construction industry is slow in incorporating new technologies. Businesses and stakeholders are guilty of underinvesting in technology.
Did You Know?
US private construction continued to grow nearly three times larger than construction spending in the public sector in 2021 and is expected to keep growing in the coming years.
Source: Statista Research Department
Let Go of The Past to Welcome Technological Advances And Stay Ahead
Here is the good news: there are plenty of solutions to help.
For certain individualized products, distribution via the network has been difficult until recently. But today, such products can be configured independently by the customer using 3D configurators. What was unthinkable a couple of decades ago is made possible today through configurators. Hence, what was the epitome of luxury once is now just a few mouse clicks away.
3 Reasons Why 3D Construction Makes Perfect Sense For Manufacturing And Construction Companies.
It helps speed up the purchasing process and reduces the possibility of returns.
It enables the company to track inventory and order by demand, not guesswork.
It allows customers to create structures and products without the need or the expense of hiring architects straight away.
What Is 3D Web Configurator?
A 3D is a software tool that allows your potential customer to visualize your product from all directions and then customize it as per their liking through the selection of interactive options. It is based on cloud technology and so it can be used from any part of the world. This tool features a 3D model of the product that changes with every customization.
Users can choose all possible combinations of the selected product. For example, a customizer for a house can let the user pick the color of the interior wall paint and add any texture of his liking before they place an order for it or use the new design for another purpose.
How Can 3D Web Configurators Help?
- More creative freedom - It is always said that ‘customer is king’. If that is so, the web configurator gives the king the power to make changes according to his liking. A user is allowed to configure materials, components, colors, textures, and variants.
- Ease of sharing the product without the physical product - 3D web configurator eliminates the need for a physical product. With all its variants, the related 3D model is sufficient for a user to make a choice.
- Breaks the language barrier - The configurator is equipped to manage multiple languages. It shows UI in the language of the potential customers’ browser. It also allows the user to manually choose another language.
- An easy hop from one platform to another - The 3D configurator can be accessed from a PC, tablet, or smartphone.
Top Ways It Can Jack Up Capabilities in Construction and Manufacturing
Apart from these advantages, here below are a few other reasons that make the 3D configurators worth your investment:
Increased mobility is one of the best things about 3D configuration technology. You can access it using desktop computers and mobile devices, and even kiosks at trade shows. Such mobility helps sales representatives to give customers a virtual tour or a feel of their product. Also, it allows customers to configure it themselves and place the order on the spot.
The current configurators can easily integrate with third-party systems. These integrations extend the functionalities and enable companies to create sales opportunities and track their order. On top of that, the company can integrate the configurator with a database to store configuration parameters and customer data.
Custom-configured products and buildings are almost always considered premium quality. After all, it is the customer who puts it together with their specific requirements in mind. When a customer is directly responsible for the design and appearance of the building or product, they are more likely to be satisfied with the end product and more loyal to your brand.
Customers have boosted the perception of quality when they have the ability to take ownership of the design. When customers are allowed to customize their homes or products that perfectly fit their lifestyles and personality, they will be inclined to pay more. Additionally, customer acquisition costs are lower because the 3D configurators allow brands to get much higher engagement rates on their digital properties and therefore, higher conversion rates.
When customers are empowered to design their products, they will be excited to share this empowering experience with their circle of trust. Photo-real 3D configurators allow customers to capture beauty shots and get immediate social validation from friends and family. This can skyrocket a manufacturer’s brand awareness as more and more customers share their creations.
3D configurator frees up sales representatives in the construction industry, reducing the number of hours your salespeople spend daily dealing with transactional calls. Apart from this, it reduces the number of CAD drawings a sales rep will need to show a customer to make a sale. Finally, customization enables an accurate, clear list of instructions that the manufacturers can follow to speed up the production cycle.
A 3D configurator can significantly reduce the time taken for customers’ journey from configuration to pricing and then quoting. It can expedite processes and push information to other systems to gain better insights into the order process. The 3D configurator empowers the salesperson to show multiple configurations in seconds to quickly recommend the best option available to their customers.
Most manufacturing processes are separated. Hence, data silos are the biggest challenge to the manufacturing industry. However, a configurator can automate product design, pricing, and ordering. Apart from this, it allows the company to train its salespersons to offer guided selling solutions across channels and construction sites to deploy a system that unlocks insights and patterns.
The 3D configurator empowers clients to put together large orders with ease. On the other hand, to a sales representative, configuration presents cross-selling and upselling opportunities as extra customization can be chargeable. Another benefit of the 3D configurator is knowing the customers’ needs, preferences, and budgets. This will enable the salesperson to personalize his sales pitch.
AR Taking Cabin Manufacturing To New Heights: Use Case
Complex designs, large customer requests, and inaccurate floor plans often challenge and restrict the operational efficiencies of shed and cabin manufactures. Leading players of the industry are now trying to implement modern approaches at each stage of their process to streamline functions and improve performance. How can AR help in this?
With a customized software solution featuring 3D web configurators
- Customers can build and design their own sheds using AR
- Automate floor plans
- Reduced human errors
- Streamline planning of cabin constructions
- Estimate pricing accurately
Increasing Adoption Rate of 3D Configurator
Increased 3D configurator adoption is replacing the sales funnel with a sales flywheel. Here are some small facts that will lead you to great knowledge:
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The human brain processes visuals about 60,000 times faster than texts. In fact, 80% of all information that our brain processes are visual. It clearly shows the marketers’ importance of 3D visuals in attracting, engaging, persuading, and converting the target.
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25-30% of customers show high levels of interest in buying custom-made products. It was also noted that they are willing to pay a premium for such personalized products as was confirmed by 57.2% interviewed by Deloitte.
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Research shows that the European 3D rendering market is likely to capture 25% of the global share by 2030. What’s more, the personalized gifts market is estimated to increase by USD 13011.27 million between 2022 and 2027. 82% of prospective customers activate the 3D view.
Interactive product visualization and personalization are the new realities of the future. Such a shopping environment provides a tangible in-store experience to online customers. This helps them make quick decisions without hesitation, which drives higher sales and conversions.
Bust Down the Door of Myths Around Leveraging 3D Configurations
True 3D configurations are becoming more popular. However, there are still quite a few untenable myths floating around it. So, let’s bust down that door of myths for you.
Myth #13D configuration takes time
Well, every good thing takes time. However, it does not take nearly as long as some claim. With engine-based visualization, the entire development time can be seriously reduced. As a rule of thumb, the simpler the scale of the project is, the faster the 3D configuration process is.
3D configuration can reduce turnaround time. Hence, it can accelerate the project approval process and speed-up sales.
Myth #2 3D configuration can never look as realistic as traditional photographs
The fact is, 3D configuration can be convincingly realistic. It can be difficult to differentiate them from actual photographs. Moreover, they give you the kind of that could never be achieved with a photo. The best part is, a talented 3D designer can bring it to life with extreme precision.
Myth #3 Outsourcing 3D service is way too expensive
Truth is, outsourcing 3D services is not a luxury anymore. It is low-risk investment with high returns. 3D configurations are entirely computer-made. Hence, you save up on building expensive sets for photography. Besides, with a building set, there is no way to go back and adjust some minor details quickly.
On the other hand, 3D service allows you to experiment with designs and definitely costs you less than having to organize a whole new photoshoot. Therefore, you really do not need to dig deep into your pockets to enjoy the benefits of 3D configuration.
Myth #4 Outsourcing 3D services can be risky
Security is not an issue if it is done the right way. Given that, do your background checks on the 3D designer. Is your project safe with them? Are the payment methods lawful? Is your contract on paper to protect you? Considering these questions will protect you. Another way is to check the 3D agency’s online profile. Read their reviews and if possible, interview the company. Building trust can ease security concerns.
Myth #5 Outsourcing may compromise quality
It is a prevalent myth that is holding some businesses as its prisoners. In reality, you can ensure nothing compromises quality. How do you do that? Do not simply write a technical task over an email. Instead, you should hire and treat 3D artists the way you would treat your home team. Hence the key is selection and communication.
Now that we have busted the door of myths, you are ready to embark on your business journey.
Steps To Strategize Success With 3D Web Configurators - Construction & Manufacturing
Experts need to focus on several aspects in order to offer effective product rendering. Here are 10 steps that would help in the creation of a high-quality, realistic 3D product:
Maximum possible reference material will help you get the needed views from all angles: top, side, and front. This will ensure the products looks perfect. If you fail to take care of the proportions, the final render would not be photoreal 3D.
To create photorealistic models, model to the scale of the real world. To that end, ensure to check if the scene lighting behaves just as it would in real life. This will help in future-proofing especially if you need to introduce other dynamics later on.
It is important to keep the mesh clean and low-poly. This is a proven technique to keep the scene size lower, making it easy to work with complex models. Additionally, your model will suit any scenario.
There are no sharp edges in real-world objects. Hence, softening edges give a realistic appearance to the models. Plus, when illuminated, these are properly highlighted.
The strategy of using Booleans hole may work well for low-resolution renderings. However, it is good to remember that for higher-resolution renderings Booleans may change the refractions and reflections of the model. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid them when possible.
Little things can have a major impact on 3D configurations. It may be tempting to take shortcuts and ignore little details. However, these little things can have a great influence on tricking viewers to make them believe the 3D rendering is real.
At times images can be overpowered by the background color. It can affect the reflection, shadow colors, and refraction in the rendering and visualization. The effect can be manipulated by using override materials.
The 32-bit linear workflow will help you create a realistic rendering, making it look accurate.
The three-point lighting has a key light, a fill light, and a back-light. It is an ideal setup.
Rendering 3D in slots can save time. It also improves quality.
The Dos And Don’ts While Adopting 3D Configuration
3D configuration is both an art and a science. This would mean that the outcome depends on technical proficiency and human skill. Hence, we have compiled a list of dos and don’ts to help you succeed in your journey. Let’s start with the dos:
The dos
- Select the right outsourcing firm.
- Be open to new ideas and techniques.
- Have proper lighting - it is the most important part of 3D configuration.
- Use real-world units for accurate lighting.
- Use automation and scripting to create daylight studies for your design or customize your user interface.
- Explore diverse geographies and landscapes to help you gain a better understanding.
- Give consideration to using a 3D camera, its position, and object placement.
- Think about how you will use your 3D configuration especially if you are low on budget.
The don’ts
- Do not get into a rut. Versatility should be the norm.
- Do not add too many displacements as it may take days before rending a single frame.
- Do not use too many caustics.
- Do not be afraid to experiment.
- Do not rely on just a few programs. Explore all available options.
- Do not go overboard with particle systems.
How Can Fingent Ease the Transition with Modern Technologies?
A unique feature, the 3D configurator, which was once costly and time-consuming to implement has now become a common tool. Looking to the future, 3D configurators expand beyond architecture and design.
Fingent is a leader in the 3D configuration industry with several years of experience. Combined with AR (Augmented Reality), we are able to offer an upgraded and engaging online experience to your customers, like what we did with Lakeside Cabin. We can enable our clients to configure and personalize products on your manufacturing or construction websites.