The Visual Asset Creation Pipeline defines the workflow to produce Visual Assets usable for 3D real-time visualization of highly configurable products.
The pipeline consists of different steps whose existence and scope highly depend on the input of the pipeline (quality and completeness) and the desired output (intended use case and corresponding constraints and goals).
(Image of a general Asset Creation Pipeline)
Input for the pipeline is typically the 3D CAD model/data of the desired product to be visualized, either in the native CAD file format or a general interchange format like STEP or JT. The challenge is to gather the right data and information to build suitable visual assets.
CAD Data
The first mandatory step is to prepare the data to be used in real-time visualization. This includes the actual tessellation of the CAD data as well as simplifying and repairing them if necessary. Removing Intellectual property concerning parts is also part of that step.
Depending on whether parts have been removed, are broken, have been missing in the initial input delivery or are just too complex for real-time visualization, new 3D models need to be created to complete the product visualization. This is typically done based on reference images of the specific parts. Part of this second step is it as well to make sure that the parametric features of the product are present and can be steered correctly afterward by the configurator.
The third step deals with the visual appearance of the product. Materials and corresponding textures need to be created and assigned to the individual parts of the product or be prepared for later configuration changes. Additional input necessary to achieve correct results are reference images or samples of the materials and colors. Setting the presentation stage of the product (environment, lighting, interaction possibilities) is also part of this step.
The last step deals with combining individual assets to assemble the final product and verify that the assets can visualize the different configuration possibilities correctly.
Before using the visual assets in a live system, the individual files are automatically optimized depending on the channel, platforms and devices they are going to be used.
Optimizing how visual assets are created is as important as it’s ever been for manufacturers. Creating top of the line visualizations for customers takes your sales pitch from good to great.
Learn more about how Tacton can help your business by scheduling your demo or getting our eBook: Seeing is Believing: Visualize the Future of Manufacturing Sales
