3D animation is everywhere. It’s in our movies and TV shows, our commercials, our children’s programs, our sports programs, our apps and video games, even our live stage shows. And it has become a helpful tool for many industries, including architecture, medicine, engineering, and science. But you may not have realized how 3D animation can help manufacturers. We know from experience working with our manufacturing and industrial clients that it is an ideal and invaluable tool for manufacturers, and here’s 7 reasons why:
1: 3D animation cleans up the grime of manufacturing
Manufacturing and industrial environments are often full of dust, oil, dirt, soot – you name it. 3D animation has the ability to show these grimy environments in a clean and polished new light.
2: Complex processes can be simplified
With 3D animation, we can create an exploded view of how something operates while it is functioning. We can cut machinery in half to show its inner functions and give a more basic understanding of how it works. The most complex processes and products can be represented in simple, easy-to-understand visuals.
3: It can be utilized in interactive sales tools
Imagine being able to leave behind the heavy boxes of brochures and sales sheets. Imagine showing off your products and process on an interactive app on your iPad. Let’s face it, sometimes the products we’re trying to sell in the manufacturing and industrial world can be a bit dry. With 3D animation and interactivity, the mundane can often be downright inspiring.
4: The abstract and microscopic become more tangible
Most factory machines are moving at high speeds and producing lots of heat, something that no camera can capture. 3D animation bypasses these limitations entirely, showing operations and processes in highly rendered, realistic visuals. Another major difficulty is capturing the parts and processes that are nearly microscopic. 3D animation allows us to get a zoomed-in and detailed look at these hard-to-see or hard-to-visualize pieces.
5: It brings concepts to life
Visualizing product designs and industrial designs can be very difficult. Fortunately, 3D animation is extremely useful for prototyping new ideas and innovations to create a clearer vision. This makes it easier to make changes to the design and create a perfect finished product or process prior to manufacturing or production.
6: The future is already here 
We are already accustomed to 3D animation in other facets: Pixar movies, video games, and now, virtual and augmented reality. Smartphones have developed new ways to support AR and VR, like the iPhone’s new measuring app that allows you to measure any object in the room. 3D animation is a necessary part of this futuristic innovation, and we are getting closer and closer to what we have always seen in “The Jetsons” or “Back to the Future Part II.” In other words, we are one step closer to “Jaws 19.”
7: It is a necessary part of future innovation
AR and VR is soon to be ingrained in our everyday lives. Programs are being developed that allow consumers to place kitchen appliances and furniture inside their homes before buying them. The possibilities of projecting movies from our smartphones or making a new friend via holographic video chat are right around the corner. 3D animation has a significant role in this constant progress into the future, and we are very lucky to be a part of it.