"Product Digitization: Unlocking New Realities for Your Brand"

Have you ever wondered how to create an immersive, interactive experience for your products that goes beyond the ordinary? Product Digitization is the answer, and it’s revolutionizing how we showcase, teach, and interact with products across multiple platforms.  If you read my recent article on Facility Digitization, the pipeline for physical products really isn’t much different. 

The product digitization journey starts with creating or collecting high-quality 3D models. These models are the backbone of the entire digital pipeline. If engineering models already exist, we can use them directly; if not, we create precise 3D representations from scratch.  This ensures every aspect of your product is captured, providing a solid foundation for what comes next.

It's essential to be mindful of your budget throughout this process. That's why leveraging existing engineering files, such as those created in Inventor or SolidWorks, is so valuable. You've already invested time and effort in designing your products and creating these assets for manufacturing. Reusing these files not only saves money but also ensures the digital version is an accurate representation of the product. Avoid unnecessary costs by making the most of the resources you already have.

Once these product assets are prepared, they can move through the digital pipeline, transforming into engaging visual content.  Here are different ways to now utilize these assets and bringing them to life:

• Realistic Renders for Web and Print: The 3D models can be rendered into high-quality images that are used for websites, product catalogs, and marketing materials. These photorealistic visuals help to capture the details and elevate the product's appeal.

Premium Safety Glasses made by MCR Safety. From engineering files to renderings. This starts the asset collecting process and digital journey.

Industrial SafeStop Forklift Gate built by McCue. Digital 3D working models give you the opportunity to dive underneath the surface to show your customers premium built quality.

Industrial Cut Resistant Work Gloves from MCR Safety. Creation of 3D models when engineering files are not readily available, now moving through the rendering pipeline.

• Animated Videos for Product Capabilities: Using these same 3D assets, we can create animations that demonstrate how the product works, its capabilities, or unique features. These videos are perfect for capturing audience attention and explaining product benefits clearly and effectively.

Digital models now moving to the animation pipeline.

• Interactive 3D Viewers: From still images and videos, the models can be uploaded into 3D viewers, allowing customers to interact directly with the product on your website. This gives potential buyers an interactive experience—rotating, zooming, and understanding the product at their own pace.  They can be projected in the buyers physical space through their smart phone or tablet using the viewers AR capabilities, letting them see exactly where and how the product will fit.

Here are links to product landing pages of two of the renderings products and Augmented Reality QR Codes to see them in your space:

Aura Cut Resistant Gloves

Click Me

QR Code - Scan with your phone camera to see in your space:

Marazion Safety Glasses

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QR Code - Scan with your phone camera to see in your space:

• Game Engines for Product Simulation: With a good collection of assets its time to bring these 3D models into game engines for interactive simulations. This opens opportunities for creating immersive product showcases, where people can virtually walk through and learn about your products, or for developing installation and repair simulations aimed at training and education.  These simulations can be run on web browsers, accessible to anyone online, or in virtual reality headsets for a more immersive, multiplayer experience. Imagine training a team in VR, with each member collaborating in the same virtual space, learning step-by-step procedures with the actual product in front of them.

Key highlights video below of MCR's VR Corporate Product Showcase - now moving through the pipeline and showing capabilities of fully engaging and interactive experiences.

In summary, Product Digitization creates a digital footprint of your products and leverages it in multiple ways—realistic visuals, interactive viewers, simulations, and immersive experiences. The beauty of this process is that it all starts with the same set of assets. Once created, these assets can be used repeatedly to increase customer engagement, improve brand awareness, and drive innovation in how your products are presented.

The beauty of this pipeline is its flexibility—you don't have to follow a rigid sequence. If you already have plenty of product images and want to dive straight into education and training, that's perfectly fine. Or, if you'd prefer to start by creating interactive 3D viewers for your website, giving your sales team, reps, and distributors tools to use Augmented Reality features with clients to visualize equipment on-site, you can start there. There's no need to digitize every product all at once; begin with those in highest demand, move at your own pace, learn how to integrate the tools effectively, and gradually expand. The development tools we use are designed to grow with your needs, allowing you to build on your successes over time.

If you're thinking about bringing your products to life in new and exciting ways, Product Digitization might just be the next step forward and we’re here to help you on that journey.