Precisely 26 years ago, in 1995, when Pixar released the first-ever 3D animated movie in history, it took the world by storm. The movie was regarded as a masterpiece of art, with computer-generated visuals representing a new era of video making. Ever since, it has only been improving and now comprises a huge chunk of entertainment, marketing, and commercial industry. 

And according to data, it will have a total worth of $39.96 billion by 2028. But what is it that made 3D animation so successful? Why are modern companies shifting their video marketing campaign from 2D to 3D? What, in fact, is 3D animation? In this article, we will go through some helpful information and gain deeper insights regarding the term. So without any mambo-jumbos, let’s jump into it:

Wait, What is 3D Animation Exactly?

3D animation is a set of moving images in a 3-dimensional digital environment. In other words, it adds the z-axis to the conventional x-axis and y-axis we see in 2D animations. The movement of characters at every angle gives a realistic perspective to 3D animation.

This provides more depth to the video and makes it ideal for multiple purposes. You can use it for a highly detailed and short product review, for Youtube or commercial ads, for landing page explainers, and possibly anything you can think of! Due to its dense and detailed visuals, it will keep your targeted audience gripped anyway. 

Understanding The Power of 3D Animation

That’s quite a diverse topic, but let’s understand it from the marketing perspective to stay relevant with the main intent. For instance, 3D animation can go as far as your creative and explanatory imaginations while staying closest to reality. 

That is, it can tell a story, explain your products, and touch the audience’s tingling spots, all at the same time. Unlike 2D or stop motion explainers, it is more profound. You can clearly explain the use of a product with real-time experience through the help of product animation video.

You can also test a new design in an animated video for marketing research to improve your products subject to audience feedback. This can save you from devastating losses upon launching products. Moreover, the message you convey in a 3D animated video is more likely to stick to your targeted audience. 

Products/services that take a thousand words copy for explanation can be reduced to 2 minutes in the form of visuals. This means people will most likely see it to the end. In other words, if done correctly, it can take your marketing to the next level because of its appeal and ability to persuade and captivate the audience.

How to Make a 3D Animated Video?

You may have generally heard about modeling, layout, and rendering, but 3D animation isn’t just about it. It’s a much more complex process and requires high expertise to be done flawlessly. This means your best bet here is to hire a well-reputed 3D animation company. All you need to do is just give in to your demands and requirements, some information about your product/service and industry, and necessary data about your targeted audience. The company will take care of the rest. 

The steps involved in 3D video production are as follows:

• Research and analysis
• Scriptwriting
• Concept writing
• Storyboard presentation
• Voiceover recording
• 3D models creation
• 3D Texturing, rigging, and animation
• Lighting and camera setting
• Rendering
• Special effects
• Music and editing
• Final Delivery (Multiple Formats)

Your involvement in the process will be necessary to ensure everything lives up to the demands. 

When and Where Should You Use a 3D Animation?

3D animation is versatile and can be in multiple situations. Following are some of the scenarios when you can utilize it to its full potential:

• Educating students/employees: According to research, humans process visual information 60000 times faster than text. This means your employees/students are most likely to retain the provided information for a long time. When time is of the essence, and physical classes don’t fit in the organization’s schedule, you can easily rely on animation videos. 

• For medical illustrations: 3D anatomical models are used in surgical training. Different internal body parts are designed in interactive 3D forms to give them more practical insights into their upcoming tasks. 

• Marketing: 3D animations can be used as an effective marketing tool. It enables you to represent your products and services in the most profound details possible, which can drastically improve your overall conversions if aided by pleasing aesthetics. 

• Presentations: With 3D animation, presentations get a lot easier than you think—no more complex descriptions and definitions when you can present everything in a comprehensive, 3D video. This helps companies a lot when the employees need to be educated about newly introduced machinery/products. 

• Building architectural models: 3D animation has revolutionized the architectural industry approach towards maps and models. When designing a house or complex building, making a 3D illustration according to the map gives a physical demonstration of the building, making it possible to make changes in the design before construction begins.

Types of 3D Animation

Although there are numerous types of 3D animations, below given are the three most trendy 3D animation types used in businesses:

1. Passive 3D

Passive 3D is the most common, non-interactive, and cost-effective type of animation. It provides a purely visual experience to the audience and can be used for product launches, explainer videos, and training videos. It is frequently used by start-ups and established businesses for its engagement abilities and entertaining nature. All 3D commercials you see on Youtube or TV are considered passive. As audience can’t interact with the 3D.

2. Augmented 3D animation (AR)

Augmented 3D animation, or AR, is a type of 3D animation where a person interacts with real-world objects enhanced by digital visual and sensory elements. Users can experience it with their smartphones or with their AR glasses on.

It allows the user to view the animated environment in 1st person and interact with the objects in a digital environment through physical movements. 

Although first developed for pure entertainment motives, this interactivity has been monumental in providing users with an enjoyable experience and value in learning and training.

Augmented reality is persistent in educational areas like medicine, architecture, and other jobs where attention to detail is mandatory.

3. Immersive 3D animation or virtual reality

This relatively newly introduced 3D technology allows users to walk through virtual reality, e.g., a dream-like journey. 

With the help of input/output devices like a headset, VR-enabled gloves, and controllers, the user can move and interact with objects inside the virtual space.

It’s one of the most expensive and complicated types of animation and requires more production time than usual.

Immersive 3D technology is mainly used in military and medicine fields for more realistic and practical training experience. In case you are wondering how these videos are made, you can find useful information from a virtual reality guide made by Kasra Design.

What makes 3D animation stand out?

• Realistic visuals and accurate movements
• Great attention to detail with compelling visuals
• It will be an integral part of every company’s marketing strategy in the upcoming years
• Completed 3D models can be reused and applied everywhere
• Provides more detail in a short span
• 3D animation provides a better understanding of products and services to the audience, resulting in a high conversion rate. 
• It’s cost-effective and versatile.

Summary

Be it a business marketing campaign, education, or any area of work, you can trust 3D animation easily. And as time proceeds, the need for 3D animation will only increase, with people striving towards ease and convenience. 

Unlike other animation styles, 3D is as detailed as entertaining and can simultaneously educate and persuade the audience. Summing up the article here. we hope it helped you understand the tidbits and importance of 3D animation in the present and future, plus, how you can take advantage of it.