Budgeting for 3D Projects
You decided to create visuals your 3D visuals in 3D, you don’t have any or much experience in this genre. So what will be the cost?
The most critical part is if you already have the 3D model of your product. Even if you don’t have it, the factory which produces your products might have it. In that case, if you can convince them that you need these models, that may help you and the 3D designer. The second best option would be the technical drawings of the product.
So our first cost item is;
3D modeling cost: This is the cost of creating the 3D model for each item.
A 3D model example
Then we’ll need to make the environment where our product is to be placed; it can be a solid background, transparent background, or part of a real-world scene, indoors or outdoors.
Clay render scene setup.
3D scene cost: If a 3D scene is used
HDRI Dome: For realism, especially on outdoor visuals, HDRI domes might be used. While some may be license-free, some can be pretty steep in terms of cost.
HDRI Dome Example. Photographer: Andreas Mischok
Stock Image: Instead of a 3D scene, you may have to use a stock image or a photo you want. The licensing of the picture might be a cost item.
Render cost: 3D model by itself is just a file on the computer. To make it look like an actual photo rendering is required. Rendering is setting up the scene, camera angle, and lighting the product. Each render will be a cost item, and the cost will change depending on the complexity of the scene and resolution. We may opt for a render farm for very high resolutions as very high res renders and 3D animations can be outside the processing power of a standard workstation. Render farms lease their processing powers for 3D render work and charge for the service for a specific period.
While a single render might be sufficient for a simple object/product, multiple passes may be needed for more complex objects so that each property is rendered separately and then combined in image post-production software such as Adobe Photoshop. Also, some additional work may be required to integrate the image with the background. This phase is called post-production, and it can also be charged as a separate item by some agencies, but we prefer to include it in render cost as just the render by itself won’t have any use to the client.
