Like most other fields, use of 3D animations is growing in popularity propelled by advances in digital technologies and software development. For a long time the preserve of the entertainment industry, 3D engineering animations now bring to life mechanical objects and machines, showing how they actually work, making it simple to explain the concepts on the one hand, but more importantly, also facilitating the process of bringing concepts to life by the same medium. There are many types of 3D engineering animations or product animations, each type suitable for specific purposes and applications.

All this is fine. But what are the key benefits of 3D animation?

Well, there are several benefits and one can start right from the beginning – at the concept stage.

• From concept to prototype – A product invariably starts as a concept and goes through many iterations before it is ready for the prototype. Creating a model on 3D animation is fast, easy and saves time compared to producing a physical prototype.
• Testing and validation – Virtual validation allows designers to conduct simulation of products under various operational conditions to ensure that the designed products work properly.
• Better product performance – With extensive testing and validation the final product is much better when the design process is in 3D animation.
• Easy for regulatory compliance – With increasingly stringent regulatory compliances, 3D animations offers the best medium for product design and validation.
• Reduced time to market – 3D animations save time by enabling faster changes and alterations in response to inputs from various stakeholders.
• Cost advantage – Making 3D animations is cheaper than any other form of visual documentation like promotional films and videos or even making a prototype or actual product sample.
• Technical manuals – Rather than the voluminous technical manuals with small print and 2D sketches and drawings, 3D technical animations can make the manuals come alive with excellent graphics with 360-degree views, making comprehension easy and simple.
• Installation & Commissioning – When it comes to installation and commissioning of new machinery and equipment, detailed instructions through 3D industrial animations can make the process a whole lot simpler with detailed instructions on how to proceed with the proper procedure and sequence of steps.
• Maintenance & Repair – Perhaps the area where 3D mechanical animations are most helpful is maintenance and repair describing processes with detailed instructions for proper dismantling and assembly as well overhaul procedure.
• Advertising – When it comes to product advertising, 3D animations allow far more creativity to bring out all the facets of the product and its applications, advantages, etc.
• Marketing – 3D product animations a fascinating tool in the hands of marketing personnel making their job much easier with well made presentations that can being alive the product or service.
• Events & Trade Fairs – Another area where 3D animations can be very useful are events and trade fairs where these can really grab attention with the visuals of machinery in operation, simplifying the production process for the benefit of visitors.
• Virtual pavilion – In the pandemic era, when physical events and trade fairs have been cancelled or postponed, many organisers have launched virtual trade shows. With 3D animations, companies can showcase all their products and technologies online.
• Training & Safety – 3D animations can be a great training aid for employees to familiarize them with the shop floor and technicalities, as well as safety drill around the workplace.
• Brand promotion – A company has to constantly promote itself as a brand at various forums – events, seminars, road shows and corporate presentations. 3D animations can be creatively used to display the company’s USPs and can also showcase the industrial facility through virtual walkthroughs or facility tours.

Having listed all the advantages, one must also examine if there are any disadvantages. While there do not appear to be many, one key disadvantage is that it lacks the ability to touch and feel like a real model or mock-up which anyways costs higher than the 3D animation of the same.

To sum up, 3D engineering animations offer many advantages keeping in step with emerging technologies. This is certainly the way forward.

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