Revolutionizing online shopping: The rise of 3D configurators

With advancements in technology, consumers now expect more than just a catalog of products with static images. They want to get the look and feel of their desired purchases and a full customization experience. 3D configurators open up a world of possibilities and allow businesses to meet these demands.

A game changer for e-commerce

Online shopping has undergone a dramatic transformation. By allowing consumers to interact with virtual representations of products, 3D configurators offer a level of engagement and personalization that transcends the limitations of traditional online shopping experiences.

A 3D configurator allows users to dynamically modify and visualize 3-dimensional models of products in real-time within a web browser or application interface. Thanks to advanced rendering techniques and interactive controls, users can customize various aspects of the product's design, such as colors, materials, and features.

At their core, 3D configurators utilize a base model of the product, which serves as a canvas for customization. Users can then manipulate specific parameters or attributes of the model, triggering instant updates to its appearance and configuration. This dynamic process enables users to experiment with different design options and see the results in real time, providing an immersive and engaging shopping experience.

For example, you could have a specific bike modal as a canvas. Users can then change parameters like size, color, or even whole parts like tires. Thanks to the real-time 3D model, they can see immediately how their change influences the product and encourages them to experiment.

How 3D configurators enhance online shopping for users

This exciting technology offers a multitude of advantages for consumers. From unparalleled product customization to immersive visualization experiences, 3D configurators revolutionize the way we shop online.

Experience makes many things easier

My experience in product development and 3D modeling helped me immensely to get into the topic of 3D configuration. To build a 3D configurator you need to understand what a 3D scene is, how it works, how materials behave and what properties they have, how those are set up, and how the lighting in the scene works. Luckily, none of that was completely new to me when we started developing the Thömus configurator.

Now, with this award-winning configurator ready, my team and I have solid know-how about the topic. We can’t wait for further projects to come. My dream project would be working for a client with a first vision of what should be achieved. 3D models are particular and don’t make sense for every website. I’d like to develop a configurator for a furniture manufacturer, for example, where such a feature really adds value. With 3D models of furniture, users could visualize a given piece of furniture with AR, check what it would look like in the exact space where they want it, and get a feeling for the correct size.

From start to finish

Thanks to very specialized people in our team, we can do a full integration from start to finish. What I particularly like about our team at Mindnow is that everyone will go above and beyond to make happen what we’ve set our minds to. There are no limits. We do 3D modeling, integrate the models on websites or in apps, and top it up with AR.

We’re professionals at what we do and are excited to deliver an excellent user experience. That’s the reason we switched from 2D to 3D on the Thömus configurator: We didn’t like the outcome that 2D would have had. We want to deliver quality and be proud of the products we develop. Do it properly or not do it at all. I’m glad we went for the first option in the case of the Thömus 3D configurator!