A lot of technologies have emerged recently in eCommerce that are attempting to redefine the industry's landscape. In particular, "Image to 3D" and "Text to 3D" have shown great promise, with 3D technology taking center stage. Despite its potential, the challenging process of converting 2D to 3D has been a significant hurdle for many teams, leaving them on the lookout for efficient and cost-effective solutions.
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The True Cost of 3D: A Realistic Evaluation
Consider the scenario: You want to transition from static images and descriptions of your products to dynamic 3D models. However, the daunting task of individually modeling every product presents significant challenges. Outsourcing may seem tempting, but the substantial cost is often prohibitive.
Instead, an innovative solution is gradually gaining traction, employing artificial intelligence (AI) to convert your existing 2D core assets into 3D models. This process, popularly known as "2D to 3D" conversion, makes use of technologies that can take images or text and transform them into a 3D model, all primed for website deployment.
Bringing 2D to Life: A Look at Luma.ai's Nerve Technology
One such platform making strides in this field is Luma.ai. Utilizing Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) technology, Luma Labs allows businesses to feed in 2D images of a product, effectively implementing the "Image to 3D" conversion process. One example of "2D to 3D" conversion involved a cactus, which Luma.ai transformed it into a functional 3D model using images captured by an Orbitvu machine,.
While the resulting 3D product may not boast perfect quality yet, it still holds substantial value. This approach offers unique insights, presenting additional information that conventional 2D images or "Text to 3D" conversions may fail to capture.
Quality vs Speed: A Fine Balance in eCommerce
In the realm of eCommerce, speed is of the essence. The "2D to 3D" transformation, though it may produce lower-quality models, finds its place in platforms like ROBLOX. The rapid production and deployment of these models might outweigh the need for impeccable detail.
Further applications include virtual try-on experiences like Looklet, where the quality is getting better every day. In many cases, the ability to see a product in 3D, even if derived from a simple "Image to 3D" conversion, might be enough to enrich the user experience and positively influence sales.
Reaching Out to Smaller Retailers: The Shopify Segment
While high-fashion brands might prefer high-quality 3D models, smaller retailers like Shopify store owners can benefit significantly from these more rudimentary 3D models. Such models, derived from "2D to 3D" or "Text to 3D" conversions, can enhance product listings and potentially boost sales.
These interactive 3D models not only offer a fresh perspective on products but also disrupt the traditional product presentation paradigm. Hence, while quality is always important, the undeniable value lies in leveraging innovative solutions to create engaging eCommerce content.
Will AI and 3D Replace the Live Model on Set?
As we delve into the next chapter of eCommerce content production, it's worth considering whether AI and 3D modeling might replace live models on set. The "2D to 3D" or "Text to 3D" technology could pave the way for hyper-realistic, customizable models, reducing costs and offering unlimited scalability. That being said, no one knows. We do know that we’ll have a constant eye on the technology and continue working on our own with dreem.ai.
Wrap-Up
The eCommerce journey into 3D, particularly with "Image to 3D" and "Text to 3D" conversions, is just beginning. The road ahead promises even more fascinating opportunities for growth and evolution. Various technology providers like Luma.ai, Looklet, and Orbitvu, are already changing the landscape of eCommerce by turning simple 2D images into interactive 3D models and more.
It should also be noted that AI-generated 3D models are bringing a new level of dynamism and interactivity to online shopping. They have the potential to revolutionize the way products are displayed and explored online, offering customers an unprecedented level of detail and immersion. The possibility of enabling customers to virtually interact with products before purchasing them, could dramatically reduce returns and increase customer satisfaction.
While 3D technology has had its ups and downs, we're witnessing a resurgence with the help of AI that's making 3D more accessible and cost-effective than ever before. The combination of these technologies is not just reshaping the future of eCommerce, but also opening doors to innovative applications in various other industries, making it an exciting space to watch.
If you’d like to learn more, check out the AI in eCommerce webinar that CTO Tejs Rasmussen and Chief Evangelist Daniel Jesper hosted. They explored a few of the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in eCommerce with topics including:
- Improving data collection and validation
- AI-assisted regionalization
- Dynamic assets and virtual models
- Enhancing post-production workflows
- Generating and working with 3D models
