A 3D configurator is an application that allows the customization of a product according to the choices made by the user. There are different levels of customization, from the simplest to the most complex, which influence both the aesthetic features and the behavior of the product itself. Therefore, the customization must be done independently through an effective, user-friendly and visually satisfying front-end interface.
Below we present configuration components that an application can have in order to allow users to make the appropriate adjustments.
Colours and materials.
3D configurators often offer the possibility to change the colours and materials of certain parts of the product. The realization of the possibility to customize colors is much less complex than the possibility to change the materials, because it requires not only updating the maps but also editing the internal properties of the materials. It is clear that this type of selection involves a display on the client side, which must correspond as closely as possible to reality. For this reason, a good online 3D configurator must be supported by an excellent game engine that allows for optimal management of the materials and, if necessary, PBR techniques.
Product dimensions.
One of the most complex tasks in the development of a 3D configurator is the ability to define the dimensional characteristics of a product. In the simplest case, this type of component allows you to assign height, width and depth and to adapt the rest of the product structure to these parameters. As you can see, this type of functionality can be really complex, as it allows solutions, possibilities and practically infinite variations.
Selection of accessories.
3D configurators can be implemented in such a way that they offer the possibility to add or remove accessories. This feature allows you to select which accessories to apply to the main product and view them directly on the model itself to evaluate its size, material and properties. These accessories often have precise positions and different models to choose from.
Upload images and photos.
In areas where the production process requires full customization, the configurator must allow the user to upload images, photos and logos. In common situations this is done by selecting from a predefined list of images with fixed positions and standard dimensions, in more advanced configurators it is possible to upload from the browser (with format and size specifications).
Functionality.
One of the functions that an online 3D configurator must be able to display is the selection of specific features related to movements and/or behaviour of the product itself. In this context, the ability to show 3D animations is therefore essential to present the user with a real-time response of the selected functionality and to visually evaluate its characteristics.
Summary and submission of the request.
At the end of the configuration process, the options for generating the request (and thus the order) can be many and varied. They range from simply sending an e-mail to creating a PDF summary, from adding an eCommerce shopping cart to integrating with existing systems.
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