Everything You Should Know About 3D Animations – Types, Benefits, Software Used, and More!

Viewing objects in 3D animation is fascinating. Long before technology enabled 3D animation, there were those static picture postcards in lenticular printing with micro corrugated plastic surface that produced the 3D effect, giving depth to the images. In 3D animation, three dimensional models or objects are manipulated or moved around to give an illusion of movement and compiled into meaningful sequences in a digital environment. Today 3D animation & modelling has scaled greater heights and pervaded all spheres of life – education, business and entertainment.

Types of 3D Animation

There are various types of 3D animation – 3D Engineering Animation; 3D Technical Animation; 3D Mechanical Animation; 3D Industrial Animation; 3D Product Animation; and 3D Explainer videos, etc. The choice of what type of animation to be used essentially depends on what is the purpose of the project or the application at hand, e.g., whether the animation is used for a design or prototype, or meant as a marketing tool for products and processes; or merely for purpose of training and explanation of a process or a concept. Read more about this topic here.

Key benefits of 3D Animation

As for the benefits of 3D animation, when it comes to attract eyeballs, visuals win hands down as the human brain processes images much faster than text. In the manufacturing industry, 3D mechanical animation serves the important function of testing and validating of products and structural designs for fine tuning or showing the inside working of machinery or breaking down complex manufacturing processes into segments for easy comprehension. Another important function is product demonstration, showcasing new technology and innovation, highlighting the USPs, as also for corporate strategizing; promotion through multiple platforms; and of course, brand building. One may recall the various commercials for engine oil aired during popular events like IPL matches. The way animations show the engine internals – piston movements and removal of friction points and sludge – hammers home the importance of oil change better than any mechanic can explain. Above all, 3D animations are very economical when it comes to cost.

Related Blog: Here are the Top 15 Key Benefits of 3D Animation

Software Used for 3D Animation

There is a wide choice of 3D animation software – some are free to use – ranging from simple to complex, each with its application specific advantages. Some of the popular software suites are Autodesk 3ds Max; Autodesk Maya; Blender; KeyShot; Adobe Premiere Pro; Adobe After Effects; Adobe Substance Painter; Adobe Photoshop; Adobe Illustrator; and Adobe Dimension. All these software come with unique features and tools, and the choice depends upon the complexity of the project. There is a critical thing to remember here – it is the skill of the person that is more important than the choice of the software per se.

Related Blog: List of 10 best Software for 3D Animation and Modeling

3D Animation in Various Industries

As a rapidly evolving art form gaining in popularity, 3D animation and modelling have wide industrial applications for various purposes, in different industries. This includes engineering animations for the manufacturing and process industries, etc; technical animations for training and educational industries, equipment animation for various industry segments – medical devices, for example, architectural animations for the building and construction industry; geological animations for the exploration and mining industry, etc.

Related Blog: Industries that Use 3D Animation besides Media and Entertainment

Most Used Cases

The most popular application of 3D animations in industry is for prototyping or new product development. With shelf life of products getting shorter and customers forever looking for newer models, manufacturers are under pressure for rapid development of newer versions, which is greatly simplified with animations. Not just design, but also product promotion through various channels becomes simpler with animations. For industrial products, animations serve the very critical need for installation processes and training and maintenance operations, with walkthrough for large plants showing daily inspection routines, etc. This works not just in manufacturing industry but also for devices used in other areas like welding automation, medical devices, or any equipment animation, for that matter. Read more about this topic here

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be stated that though 3D animation has been around for quite some time now and gaining in popularity, when it comes to industrial applications, it has barely scratched the surface beyond design and prototypes. The potential is immense in terms of applications for training, maintenance, safety, marketing & sales, and now in the Covid-19 era, for virtual events. The only limitation for more applications is imagination!

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