Show Shoes in 3D or 360 Degrees?

Shoes in 360 degrees and 3D – what are the differences? What are the techniques behind them? How can I then use the results in 3D or 360 degrees? We receive such questions and similar ones very frequently, as we capture movable shoes in both techniques, as 360-degree product photos and also in 3D. For better understanding, we would like to elaborate on the differences in capturing and the results.

360-Degree Product Photos 1 Axis

The most common way to capture shoes movably and thus in 360 degrees from all sides has been the 360-degree view on 1 axis. For this, the shoes are styled as with any photo shoot and then placed absolutely centered on a turntable. After checking the center with a few test shots, the capture is done with usually 24 photos or 36 photos. The images are cut out or just flash-isolated depending on the customer’s requirements. In the cut-out version, minor errors can also be corrected if needed. The images are then cropped and brought to the desired size (pixels). The file size is also optimized for the internet (the smaller the file, the better). These optimized internet images and the high-resolution captures (usable for print, etc.) are delivered. The result as a 360-degree product photo on 1 axis looks like this.

CLICK IMAGE TO START

The start of a 360-degree product photo can be set in many ways in the player.

Incidentally, trick functions can also be built into 1-axis 360-degree product photos. For shoes, for example, we have already been able to show special quick-release fasteners with trick functions for customers. 360-degree product photos always require special players to be visible on every medium. We always provide a player for 1 axis free of charge if needed. For 2-axis and 4-axis, we have cooperations with partners who, in our opinion, can provide the best players.

360-Degree Product Photos 2 Axes

The now more popular type of 360-degree product photos are those in 2 axes. The reason is quite simple. In the 1-axis 360-degree product photo, an important part of a shoe for many customers is not visible: the sole! In the 2-axis 360-degree product photo view, the shoe is therefore captured so that the sole is fully integrated into the 360-degree rotation. In the second axis. For this, the shoe is captured as before in the 1-axis variant. Then a second axis is added, where the sole is visible. The 2-axis variant is very complex and demanding, as the products must match each other in position and volume in both axes. To ultimately ensure this, retouching and cutting out the images is always necessary for this type of capture. The arrangement of the sequence can of course be done according to the customer’s wishes. Here’s an example with 36 photos per axis.

In addition to things like logos and backgrounds other than pure white, shadows can also be added, for example, to make the view more three-dimensional.

360-Degree Product Photos 4 Axes

The 4-axis view of shoes is a very interesting type of view, as this kind of 360-degree product photo allows you to see the shoe from many angles, including from below. However, this type of capture originates from a time when the 3D sector was not as advanced as it is today. If the view of a shoe should be as comprehensive as possible, with high-resolution textures, we would rather recommend the 3D view in 2021. Here’s a 4-axis 360-degree view of a shoe for you to look at again:

3D of Shoes

3D of shoes is currently the best way to present a shoe. This method is increasingly becoming the standard in B2B. But how are such captures made?

The approach generally depends on the type of shoes. There are types of shoes where many high-resolution photos are taken from various angles and 360 degrees around. Additionally, of course, with the sole. This type of capture is called photogrammetry. In the next step after the capture, the images are assembled into 3D shoes on the PC using various programs. Overall, it’s a rather complex workflow, but with impressive results.

Another way to create 3D shoes is to scan them with very high-resolution 3D scanners. Here too, the 3D scans are then processed with appropriate specialized software and later assembled into the final 3D shoes.

In both types of 3D capture, the shoe is later completely freely movable and viewable from all sides, even on mobile devices. Both capture methods always include a high-resolution texture. Thus, the shoes can be examined very closely.

We deliver shoes like other products in 3D in the desired file types. Most often this is OBJ with texture. Also gladly glTF / glb. Of course optimized and data-reduced.

What are the advantages of 3D models?

Firstly, of course, the much better view of the products from all sides and angles, including the sole. Depending on how the 3D file should be integrated into the website or intranet, we offer different solutions. On one hand, we simply provide a player for integration. On the other hand, we have also been able to gain partners in this area in recent years, through which the integration can then take place. As in the above example of one of our customers, it is also possible to incorporate text into the views, logos, or even different backgrounds. Furthermore, Augmented Reality is possible, an increasingly important topic since 2020. With this, for example, the shoe above can be placed on your table at home or you can simply try on the shoe virtually. All this requires only a standard smartphone available in today’s market. Here you can test AR with a shoe once.

What else can I do with the 3D? For example, you can render high-resolution quality images from any view of the 3D. Colors / textures can also be changed. In a configurator, this is also possible online for your customers.

You can find many examples from the 3D sector, especially fashion, here: https://scanmotion-3d.de/en/3d-on-the-screen/

It’s best to get advice from us.