In recent years, 3D visualization has become one of the main methods for creating high-quality digital content in e-commerce, automotive manufacturing, and more. Almost all retailers offer 3D rendering to their customers. We will take a closer look at what is best suited for the topic – streamed 3D or WebGL?
What is 3D rendering?
It can be said that 3D rendering is a multi-step process where graphic content is created using software that generates 2D images based on three-dimensional scenes. Real-time 3D rendering involves digitally building a model that can be rotated and twisted. Unlike still image rendering, real-time rendering allows the user to make changes to the model and see the results directly on the screen.
To give a more technical explanation, the 3D image of the product is made up of triangles. A model of triangles (polygons) is created where one triangle at a time is produced and then placed at specific positions (width, depth and height).
There are also several different lighting techniques that make it possible to produce a nice and realistic representation of the product. The more the technology develops, the more you can compare 3D lighting with how lighting and light work in real life. An important part of producing realistic images is working with reflections by adjusting light and shadows. Where light does not reach, shadows are created. How an object is illuminated is important for the result. The reflections are created depending on how the light falls on the object. Here the intensity of the light and the surface of the object play an important role.
Benefits of real-time rendering
When comparing still image rendering and real-time rendering, real-time rendering allows you to move the camera to see how an object looks in real time from different angles. With real-time rendering, it is possible to zoom in and study every little detail of an object from every angle. It is also possible to experiment with the appearance of the object by changing the color and material, to name a few examples.
If you have a car, you can experiment with the look by changing the color or changing the rims. All changes are displayed in real time, making it possible to see how different patterns look as soon as the change is made. Real-time rendering therefore creates entirely new opportunities for businesses – and also for their customers. The technology allows, for example, architects and designers to test their ideas and see how they would look in reality. This also provides great benefits for marketing. For example, customers are able to experience their future home even before the construction process starts. Customers can also experiment with interior details, trying different combinations of wall colors, wallpaper, flooring and more. The possibilities are endless.
What is WebGL?
WebGL (Web Graphics Library) is a powerful tool for web developers, as it allows the creation of advanced graphical effects and interactivity without the need for plugins or external tools. It can be used for everything from displaying 3D models and maps to creating games and virtual realities on the web.
WebGL is an open standard and is supported by most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge. This makes it a good choice for developers who want to create advanced graphical applications that work across multiple platforms and devices.
WebGL is also integrated with HTML5 and CSS, making it easier for developers to create interactive websites and applications with rich graphics and animations. There are also many tools and libraries that can help facilitate development with WebGL, such as Three.js, Babylon.js, A-Frame and PlayCanvas.
Thus, WebGL can be called the web’s standard format for 3D. Similar to how JPEG works for PNG. Launched in 2011, WebGL is designed for interactive graphics in two or three dimensions. The name alludes to the older OpenGL, on which WebGL is based.
The beauty is that it allows your browser to perform 2D and 3D rendering natively, without installing any additional plugins. It also allows the browser to use the hardware GPU to perform graphics calculations instead of your CPU. This makes the graphical representation work better.
As with any other graphics API, creating content for WebGL scenes requires that you use a standard 3D content creation tool and export the scene to a format that can be read by the application or help library. Desktop 3D printing programs such as Blender, Autodesk Maya or SimLab Composer can be used for this purpose.
The benefits of WebGL
WebGL has several advantages that make it attractive to developers:
Open standard: WebGL is an open standard and is supported by most modern browsers, making it accessible to a wide audience.
No plugin required: As WebGL is part of the web standard, the user does not need to download a plugin to view the content.
Powerful graphics: WebGL allows developers to create advanced graphic effects and animations directly in the browser, including 3D models and virtual reality.
Integrated with HTML5 and CSS: WebGL is integrated with HTML5 and CSS, making it easier for developers to create interactive websites and applications with rich graphics and animations.
Many tools and libraries: There are many tools and libraries that can help facilitate development with WebGL, such as Three.js, Babylon.js, A-Frame and PlayCanvas.
Easy to use: WebGL is easy to learn and use, even for developers with no previous experience in 3D graphics programming.
Compatibility: WebGL is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, including both desktop and mobile devices, making it a good choice for developers who want to create advanced graphical applications that work on multiple platforms.
These advantages make WebGL a good choice for many types of projects, especially for interactive websites and applications with rich graphics and animations. Developers can also choose to use WebGL together with other technologies such as streaming 3D to take advantage of their respective benefits.
What is streamed 3D?
Streaming 3D means that 3D graphics and animations are streamed over the network to a device, as opposed to being downloaded and run locally on the device. This can be done by using technologies like WebGL or WebAssembly to display 3D graphics in the browser, or by using specialized platforms to stream 3D content to VR or AR devices.
The advantage of using streamed 3D graphics is that it makes it possible to display complex 3D environments and animations without the user having to download large amounts of data. This can be particularly useful for games or VR experiences where there are many different levels or scenes to display.
Streaming 3D can also enable the viewing of 3D content on devices with limited hard disk space or poor performance, as it does not require the content to be downloaded and run locally.
There are also some challenges with using streaming 3D graphics, including high bandwidth requirements and the potential for delays and buffering. This can be particularly problematic for VR or AR devices that require a high degree of synchronization between graphics and motion.
Benefits of streaming 3D
Streaming can be a good option for projects with complex 3D environments or many different levels or scenes, as it allows the content to be displayed without the user having to download large amounts of data.
Streamed 3D may also be suitable for devices with limited hard disk space or poor performance, as it does not require content to be downloaded and played locally.
Streamed 3D can also be a good option for VR or AR devices, as it can make it possible to display high-quality graphics and animations with low latency.
Easily accessible: Streamed 3D can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
Less need for hardware: 3D graphics can be rendered on a server and sent as video, so the user does not need a powerful computer to view 3D content.
Lower cost: Users do not need to buy and maintain the hardware for 3D rendering, as it is done on a central server.
Easy to share: Streamed 3D content can be easily shared with other users over the Internet.
Constant updating: Streamed 3D content can be easily updated and improved without the user having to make any changes.
Conclusion
Today there is no completely reliable solution – however, at Animech we can create equally beautiful 3D directly on the web at the product level, without having to stream 3D. With Native HTML, everything can be rendered in the browser using your computer’s own processing power, providing a more stable and engaging experience. Add to this the fact that the costs are much lower as only “regular” hosting of a website with standardized HTML is required.
Streamed 3D and WebGL are both technologies that can be used to display 3D graphics and animations on the web, but they have some differences and characteristics that may make them more suitable for different types of projects. How much storage memory is available? How important is the download speed? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before choosing a rendering method.
It is up to the user which tool is best suited.
