3D animation and modeling has grown far from where it started years ago. While many of us primarily recognize Pixar and other animated movies as the main use of 3D animation, this amazing art form has found uses in many industries. Today, there are a lot of uses and applications of 3D animation from education, media, to medicine.
Because of the various uses of 3D animation in different industries and its valuable impact to modern living, many companies opt to outsource 3D animation. While the service is quite common in the video gaming industry, it has also gained popularity outside of it. Advertising and marketing, medicine, and e-Learning fields also lean on the technique to make conveying stories, lessons, and messages faster and more effectively.
In this article, we explore the various industries that need or use 3D animation and the impact of this art form on the modern world:
Layers of Depth: The Many Uses of 3D Animation
3D modelling for video games is a common service in the video game industry–and it’s also one of the first things people think of when they think of 3D animation. But as synonymous as the two are, other industries have integrated 3D animation to ensure easier and more efficient messaging. So how does 3D animation become an integral part of many industries?
In this section, we look at the craft’s use and impact on various fields, including medicine, marketing, and education:
Media and Entertainment
Of all the applications for 3D animation, its place in the media industry–specifically character animation–is widely recognized. The release of Toy Story cements the success and legacy of 3D animation in the entertainment industry. It also opens a more complex take on the CGI vs 3D animation debate.
Today, we continue to see more 3D animation in the industry–even more so than before. In particular, compared to 10 to 15 years ago, 3D animation is becoming increasingly prevalent in TV shows. This is something that would have been extremely complex and costly even just a few years back.
But the animation magic doesn’t just stop on TV and movies. Many entertainment avenues employ the use of 3D animation. These include 3D modeling for advertising, music videos, and even stage shows!
Education
Shorter attention spans and more complex topics aren’t always the best mix, which is why many educators find it difficult to teach complicated lessons. But thanks to 3D animation, teachers have an easier time demonstrating these complex topics. After all, many students learn more easily with visual cues that clearly and efficiently explain ideas.
One of the many uses of 3D animation is to provide entertaining and memorable material for educational purposes. This is particularly effective with a younger audience, especially because of how frequently they see 3D art in the media. Today, many educators frequently utilize 3D animation to demonstrate scientific procedures, historical events, and even mathematical problems to various audiences.
Medicine
Much like educational courses, medical training has a lot of complex processes that require extensive lessons. The 3D animations guide viewers through intricate bodily processes using informative videos. The videos also help provide in-depth knowledge of an operation, even without the actual experience.
The use of 3D animation in medicine also advances from the era of static, physical 3D models. Now, medical students may watch all the movements a real human body performs. The application of 3D animation is a superb choice for training for a rare surgery or a new approach.
Marketing
Time and again, studies have shown how much visual art influences the brain: retention rate increases and so does recall. Statistics show about 74% of users downloaded an application or software after watching the brand’s video; 84% of consumers were convinced through the brand’s video to buy a product or service; and 80% of marketers found videos to be instrumental in their sales increase.
Couple the effectiveness of video with the charm of 3D animation, and you’ve got a winning combination. Of course, the decision to use 3D animation is still dependent on a brand’s marketing objectives. There are, however, some things you should know:
Great for 3D Games
According to a survey by Fyber, 28% of marketers found playable ads to be the most effective in-app ad format. So if you are launching your 3D game, then a playable 3D ad will pique the interest of your target audience. This is because you’re able to demonstrate your product’s gameplay and display your game aesthetics in the most effective way possible.
Helps with Understanding Complex Ideas
The 3D approach is the most compatible with new companies that have innovative products or services. Similar to video explainers, 3D animated ads can convey a new idea to an audience better. It’s visual, engaging, and capable of being immersive.
Reusable 3D Assets
Having reusable 3D assets is perfect for advertising that wants to tell a story — specifically, in series. Your marketing collaterals remain consistent throughout your customer journey, enhancing the experience of your target audience toward brand love and conversion.
Military and Police
The application of 3D animation in training for the military and police reduces the danger of injury. The design of their machining and engineering may also be done in 3D animation by the military and police. Better machine performance results from this without the requirement for actual manufacturing testing.
Engineering
The applications of 3D animation in the fields of engineering and technology is quite impeccable. This is due to how much time it saves. Before using unnecessary resources, engineers can see their design on a screen. Also, users are free to alter and customize their design however they see fit. 3D models also come to the rescue by enabling quick creation if a physical prototype is required.
Architecture
One of the most practical applications of 3D animations is that architects and designers can now explore their constructions in Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR). The building may be explored by architects at any time of day, allowing them to spot and fix architectural errors. This is a vast improvement from when architectural plans had to be presented as flat paper drawings before this.
How We Bring 3D Assets to Life for Our Clients
Our company has produced 3D assets and engineered 3D animation for numerous clients in the past. We want to share with you how we do it. The first thing we do is create 3D graphics, which — as we discussed — is integral to 3D animation.
Want to know how we create 3D assets for our clients? Check out our Video Game Industry page!
Once we’re done creating the 3D assets, we move on to animating them. The process is fairly simple: We rig and skin characters and objects, which is where we create the bones that we will then merge with the 3D assets, and then we add a sequence of movements to the assets. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Some companies might wonder what value they gain from outsourcing 3D animation when the process is as easy as we described it.
The truth is there is a lot of skill involved in 3D animation. Remember you have to create the assets first before incorporating movement into them. And the complexity of animation differs depending on the approach, which can be as complicated and costly as Motion Capture.
By outsourcing 3D animation, you get to channel your resources to more productive work. So let the outsourcing company bring 3D assets to life for you.
Bring Life to Your Presentations, Videos, and Industries with Complex Uses for 3D Animations
In a nutshell, 3D animation is the process of giving 3D models, such as objects and characters, diverse movement. The uses of 3D animation span far and wide, influencing every industry you can think of. You can use it for:
- Video Games
- Video Explainers
- eLearning Modules
- Marketing Collaterals
Outsourcing 3D animation saves you time and guarantees high-quality output if the outsourcing company of your choice has years of experience in this line of work.
NarraSoft’s outsourcing services range from project development to business processes. You can expect services involving video editing, data entry, technical support, 3D art creation, software development, and so many more. If you’re interested in outsourcing to NarraSoft, send an email to sales@narrasoft.com!