Product Rendering User Guide

The 3D Cloud AMS Product Renderer is the utility used to generate photorealistic 2D images from single 3D product(s) or Product Configurators on the platform.

A few sample HD Renders are shown below.

About the Product Rendering Engine

The 3D Cloud AMS Photo Rendering process uses the Cycles rendering engine—a sophisticated, open-source and license-free path tracing renderer which achieves great realism by simulating how light interacts with surfaces and bounces around a 3D scene. The combination of 3D mesh geometry, 3D material properties, camera position and lighting result in product images that can replace photography for Product pages, marketing, catalogs, etc.

The Product Renders feature takes advantage of our real-time 3D player to preview virtual camera positioning, while applying lighting, HDRI and various other rendering controls to achieve photo-realistic final results.

3D Cloud AMS Product Rendering Guide

A separate Product Rendering Guide has been created to provide visual examples of the various Advanced Options settings being applied, and the rendered results. This guide is useful in the planning of Custom Presets, Bulk Render Jobs, Dimension Renders and more. The guide can be viewed as a Google Slides presentation here:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1R053_mW-2FArjVzqDQLc8j6QbYdbMDPW4JTIBCTiHDw/edit?usp=sharin

Accessing HD Renders

The product rendering feature can be accessed in a number of ways:

1. Via the Utilities → Product Renderer section;

2. By selecting the HD Renders button while on any single product description page;

3. Navigating to Utilities → Product Configurator within the AMS;

4. Initiating a product render from a public-facing product configurator.

Use Cases

There are multiple use cases where Product Rendering can be used. The following table describes the different options a user may choose to create one or many renderings of 3D products.

Key Rendering Terminology

Render
The 2D image output that is produced by a 3D computer-generated image process, from a 3D model, applied virtual materials, camera positioning and lighting settings.

Resolution
The rendered image pixel size, in width x height. Resolution can be set anywhere from small thumbnails (e.g. 720 px x 720px) up to 8000 px x 8000px or more. When you hear the terms “2K, 4K, 8K” this typically means resolutions of 2000 px × 2000 px, 4000 px × 4000 px, 8000 px × 8000 px respectively (or close to these).

HDRI
An HDRI ((High Dynamic Range Image, also known as a “Skybox”) is a virtual, projected lighting environment that is used to control lighting and color tones on an image. Think of it as a virtual “studio setting” that is used in the rendering process to achieve photorealism similar to shooting a photo in a specific photo studio environment.

HDRI images are typically in a spherical panoramic format, which 3D Cloud converts to cube maps (six square faces) for optimal GPU performance and accurate image-based lighting in our 3D rendering workflow. The cube map wraps around 3D models like an invisible sphere, projecting realistic lighting from all directions.

Presets
In the 3D Cloud AMS, a Preset is specific set of stored camera position, camera settings, lighting settings, and other Advanced Options parameters that are saved for use on one or more render jobs. These “Presets” are used to create templated cropping and lighting scenarios that can be used across products and product categories, in single or bulk render jobs.

The main reason to use a Preset is to save time setting up your desired render configuration before submitting a render job.

When a Product is loaded into the Product Renders 3D preview window, clicking on a saved Custom Preset “snaps” the camera into position and applies all of the preset resolution, camera and lighting settings.

Every Preset has a unique Preset ID which can be viewed when you click on the “expand arrows” icon when you hover on the upper right of the Preset thumbnail image.

If you ever need to copy the current Preset ID (for use in a Bulk Render Request sheet, for example) you can click on the “Copy” icon in the lower right of the 3D product preview window and then select “Copy Selected Preset ID”.

How to Create a Custom Preset

1. Go to the Product Renders section and load a product.

2. On the Product Render view, you can select an existing preset (as a starting point for a new preset).
   Currently, presets can only be created, but not edited.

3. Set your desired camera and lighting settings under “Advanced Options”.
   Note: The 3D preview window will dynamically show the Camera Position and Scene settings, but will not provide a real-time preview of the Lighting settings or the exact angle of the rendered shadow.
   
   
   

4. When setting presets, take note of the Fit-to-Screen Multiplier value. If it is less than 1.0 the product may render too large for the image canvas. The “sweet spot” Fit-to-Screen Multiplier value is around 1.2.
   
   
   

5. When you are done with settings, click the “Create New Preset” button at the bottom of the right hand panel.
   
   
   

6. After creating the new custom preset, the copy icon in the lower-right of the 3D preview window can be used to Copy the Selected Preset ID, Camera Options, Product Swap, or All Render Options for use in a bulk render sheet.
   
   

7. You will be prompted for a Preset Name (required), Description (optional) and whether or not you want to use the Fit to Screen multiplier value.
   
   If you check the “Use Fit to Screen” check box, any product rendered with this preset, regardless of size, will be scaled on the canvas to approximate the same amount of white space around the product.

   
   
   
   You can also choose to upload a square thumbnail image to be used as the Preset icon.
   Click the “Save” button or “Cancel” to exit without saving.
   

8. The Preset is now available for use in the Custom Presets area.

   Note: In order to create Presets, your user permissions must have the PRODUCT_RENDER_PRESET_MANAGER feature set.

A Custom Preset can also be generated from an existing render in the Render Gallery of a particular product. Just select an image from the Render Gallery so the Render Info panel is displayed, and click the “Create Preset” link in the Render Info area.

Single Product Renders

Single Product Renders is the term given to the process of generating a rendered image of a single particular product at a particular camera angle. Each render “job” is submitted one-at-a-time, rather than in a batch job—typically requiring individual camera positioning and lighting adjustments.

Initiating a Product Render

A product render can be initiated on the Utilities → Product Renderer page, or from any individual Product Description Page.

Product Render Search

When loading the Product Renderer tool, the Product Render Search panel will slide out from the right automatically with the ability to search by category, PID, SKU or name. You can then multi-select the products desired to render, and click the “Load” button at the bottom of the page.

After loading your desired product(s), the Product Renderer Search page will automatically close and the user will be brought to the main Product Renderer WebGL viewer with the first producdt loaded. An options panel on the right-hand side is displayed with Customize, Presets and Advanced Options accordion-style drawers.

Rendering Resolution
The desired image resolution (in pixel width x height) can be entered at the top of the page next to the “Generate Render” button. The dropdown menu allows selection of standard resolutions:

• Proof (1280×720)

• 2k (2048×1024)

• 4k (4096×2160)

• 8k (7680×4320)

• Custom width and height entry (Note: The smallest allowable resolution is 256×256)
  

Customize
The Customize menu is displayed when the Product ID loaded is part of a configurable assembly. The swappable assembly options are displayed in accordion-type menus. The Customize menu will not be visible if your Product does not have an Assembly for Swapping.

Advanced Options Panel

The Advanced options panel provides multiple ways to adjust the Camera, Scene and Lighting controls that will affect the final render.

A summary of Advanced Options settings are provided below.

Visual examples of the effects of these settings are provided in our Product Rendering Guide.

Generate Render Button

The Generate Render button will initiate the render job after all options and settings have been selected.

Once the render job is submitted, you will see a “toast” alert pop-up from the bottom of the screen notifying that the render is processing.

Additionally, the notification bell area at the top right of the page will show the “Render processing…” message.

When the render is complete, the notification bell area will show a “Click to download” link.

Email Notification

When you click the Generate Render button, or any bulk render job, you will receive an email notfication with the subject line “3D Cloud - Render Complete” (from the email “[email protected]”) when it is completed. The email will have a link to download the image(s), and the image is stored in the Render Gallery for that particular Product.

Render Gallery

All renders generated from the back-end will end up in the Render Gallery of the product. The Render Gallery is accessed via the link in the Product Renderer title bar (on any Product Detail → HD Render, or Utilities → Product Renderer page)

The Render Gallery shows all previously completed renders for a specific Product.

Clicking on any individual render will display the Render Info for that image. Information includes the resolution, creation date/time, and render metadata for that particular image.

Next to the Render Metadata heading, clicking the “clipboard” icon will copy the metadata.

A Download link brings up the full-sized image in a new browser tab, from which it can be saved to your computer (via right-click “Save as” on most browsers).

Bulk Product Renders

Bulk Product Renders are possible in the 3D Cloud AMS Product Renderer. This feature allows the user to submit render jobs containing hundreds of renders at one time. Utilizing a spreadsheet xlsx list of Product IDs (one per row), one can create a Bulk Render Request sheet that defines different rotation angles, presets and custom settings.

Planning Your Bulk Renders

When anticipating bulk renders, it is good to have a plan to produce a large volume of renders, across different product categories, color ranges and product placements (Floor or Wall/Ceiling). Key activities in this process include these recommended steps:

Create Presets

1. Using our Product Rendering Guide (“Which HDRI do I use?” page 27), decide on an HDRI that matches your lighting style (or arrange with the 3D Cloud team to set up your own custom HDRI).

2. Create a Preset Planning Sheet to identify the Presets that will work across product sizes, colors, camera heights, etc.

3. Keep a record of all presetIds used and their purpose

4. When saving presets, communicate a standard naming convention to all users who will be creating product renders. Use the “Fit to Screen” checkbox when saving the preset to auto-size white space around products.

5. Test render samples of products at lower resolutions to dial in the presets.

Create Bulk Render Request Sheet(s)

1. Download the example bulk render request sheet. (Make a copy for each batch of renders desired)

2. Fill out the bulk render request sheet and export an .xlsx copy.
   If using presets, you only need to fill out the following minimum columns for each row (Product ID) being rendered:

   • productID

   • filePrefix (file prefix or exact file name)

   • presetId

   • Any additional columns per row can be filled out, which will “override” the preset settings

Render Previews and Requests

1. Go to the Product Renderer section on the 3D Cloud AMS and load any product (a bulk request can be started on any product, even ones that aren’t in the request sheet)

2. Click on Bulk Render Request in the Product Renderer page title bar.

3. Select the “Click to import a bulk render request” button and select your .xlsx sheet.

4. Click the “Show Camera Preview” button first before rendering to check your cropping.

5. Edit the Bulk Render Request sheet with overrides to fix any outliers that are getting cropped off by a preset (see instructions following)

6. Confirm your overrides using the “Show Camera Preview” button.

7. Click the “Request Bulk Renders’ blue button to submit the request.

8. Monitor your email for the job completion notification.

9. Click the link in the email to download assets and route appropriately.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Go to Utilities → Product Renderer and load product(s).
   
   
   

2. On Product Render view, you can select an existing preset, or adjust your camera and lighting settings under “Advanced Options”.
   

   

   

3. The preview window shows the camera and product position.

   
   

4. When setting presets, be aware of the Fit-to-Screen Multiplier is greater than 1.0 to avoid renders cutting off the product.

   
   
   

5. Click on Bulk Render Request. Select the “Click to import a bulk render request” button and select your .xlsx sheet or drag and drop the xlsx file in the dotted input box.
   
   
   

6. A confirmation window shows all items in the bulk request.
   
   
   

7. Click the “Show Camera Preview” button to check your crops. It can take up to 1 min per 50 products to load the preview.

   
   
   

8. Check the preview and adjust any abnormalities with overrides in your bulk render sheet.

   
   
   

9. Creating an override. If you are using a preset on a product (even with Fit-to-Screen on the preset) and the camera preview is not appearing as expected, you can exit the camera preview, load that Product ID into the Product Render page, select the preset and then make camera or product adjustments. Click on the Copy icon under the product viewport and use the “Copy All Render Options” button to copy and paste into the desired sheet row.
   
   
   Products that may need an override to fit into the render frame are indicated with red arrows in the screenshot examples below. You can see that the products are extending outside the viewport/canvas.

   
   

   After adding “override” rows for the offending products to the bulk render sheet, reupload the sheet and click the “Show Camera Preview” again. The products are now fitting in the render frame shown in the Camera Preview. You are now ready to submit the bulk render job.

   
   
   

10. Make sure to select the Product Placement option for the bulk request (“Floor” or “Wall and/or Ceiling”) and click the Request Bulk Renders button to submit the job.

    
    
    

    NOTE: Do NOT close your browser window at this point until the job is complete.

11. After your bulk render request is complete, you will receive an email notification with the subject line: “3D Cloud - Render Complete”

    
    
    

12. Clicking the link will take you to a download page, where you can select to download all files—specify “File Prefix” only if you want the downloaded files to have the filePrefix (filename) from your bulk render sheet.

    

Spin Renders

A Spin Render generates 33 images of a product, rotating the camera counter-clockwise in 12° increments around the object, plus a top view. It can be accessed on the Product Renderer Page next to the page title.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Load your desired Product(s) and press the “Spin Render” button in the Product Renderer title bar to switch to spin render mode.
   
   
   

2. This will change the render Advanced Options to read-only.
   Note: All spin render options (except for Background Color) are controlled by/inherited from the Client App Config file (which cannot be edited through the AMS). To adjust your Client App Config settings, coordinate this with your 3D Cloud account team.
   
   Click the “Generate Spin” button on the Spin Render mode page.
   
   
   

3. While your render is processing, you can view it’s current status for all 33 spin images by clicking the notification bell at the top right of the AMS window. Your spin render will not be visible in the Render Gallery until at least 1 image has been created in the spin. If you visit the Render Gallery before the first image is created, you won’t see any spins.

Note: It can take up to 19 hours generate a spin render depending on the complexity of the 3D model, because it is run on a slower Cloud node. You will not receive an email notification for Spin or Bulk Spin Render requests.

Bulk Spin Renders

Multiple product spin renders can be made using the “Bulk Render Request” functionality but with a different .xlsx template sheet tailored for Bulk Spin Renders.

1. Navigate to the Bulk Render Request modal window on the Product Renderer page.

   
   
   

2. Download and fill out the example-bulk-spin-request.xlsx template. Make sure “spin” is specified in the “camera” column D. Note that Preset IDs are not present on the Bulk Render Spins sheet, since settings are controlled by the Client App Config.

   
   
   

3. Click the “Click to import a bulk render request” button to import the bulk spin sheet or drag and drop it onto the dotted input window. A Bulk Render Request confirmation modal will open, allowing you to see one final snapshot of your render request prior to submission.

   
   
   

   Note: If you select Product Placement: Wall and/or Ceiling a warning will appear indicating Shadow Planes will be disabled for Wall and Ceiling products.

4. Click the Request Bulk Renders button.

Note: It can take up to 19 hours per product spin render, because it is run on a slower Cloud node. You will not receive an email notification for Spin or Bulk Spin Render requests.

Product Configurator Render

To generate an HD render of an individual product configurators, follow the steps below:

1. Access Product Configurator via Utilities → 3D Product Configurator.

   
   
   

2. Navigate to the Product Configurator you want to render.
   
   
   

3. Click the “Generate Renders” button
   
   
   

4. A Product Renderer page will be shown, with the configurator loaded into the 3D preview area.
   
   
   

5. Presets can be selected for use in your render, as in Single Product Renders. Adjust your Advanced Options settings to your liking and click the “Generate Render” button.
   

   Note: Advanced Options for Product Configurators are the same as in Single Product Renders, but do not include Camera Position controls. Render options are also not reflected in the Configurator preview, so running test renders is required to preview your results should you want to create/adjust your custom preset settings.

   
   
   

6. Render status messages and notifications are the same as Single Product Renders. When render jobs are completed, you will receive email notifications with download links, or can watch the notification bell area for a completion message. Final renders are stored in the Render Gallery of the associated product configurator.

Product Configurator Bulk Render

Bulk requests from a Product Configurator can be made via the “Bulk Render Request” button.

To generate an HD render of an individual product configurators, follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to the Product Configurator you want to render as in the single Product Configurator Render scenario.

2. After clicking the button, the Bulk Render Request modal window appears, where you can submit a list of SKUs (one line each) for bulk renders.

   
   

   
   The render angle options for Bulk Render Requests of Product Configurators include:

   1. Current View Angle Only

   2. All Render Spin Angles

3. Click the “Request Renders” button to submit your render job.

4. Render status messages and notifications are the same as Single Product Renders. When render jobs are completed, you will receive email notifications with download links, or can watch the notification bell area for a completion message. Final renders are stored in the Render Gallery of the associated product configurator.
   
   

Multi-SKU Products
To render multi-SKU product configurators, each line in the Bulk Render Request modal window can contain all the SKUs in one line separated by commas (no spaces).

Product Configurator Spin Render

Product Configurator Spin Renders are created by selecting the “All Render Spin Angles” dropdown option on the Bulk Render Request modal window.

Note: The render spin angles are determined by the Client App Config settings.

Product Configurator Rendering On Demand

The customer-facing view of 3D Cloud’s Product Configurators have a feature to request and download HD Renders at preset angles.

Clicking on “Download HD Render” will download a final render to your computer.

Lifestyle HD Renders

Inspirational Lifestyle HD Renders are possible using the 3D Cloud Room Planner. For guidance on how to use the Room Planner to generate room scenes like the ones below, refer to our Room Planner User Guides or your 3D Cloud Room Planner Training advisor.