iOS mobile app: Creating 3D models of products
You can create 3D models of your products in the Ecwid mobile app for iOS and add them to your product description. 3D models are virtual representations of objects in three dimensions.
Your customers can download 3D models to their Mac, iPhone, or iPad device and then view and rotate them from any angle. If shoppers’ iPad or iPhone supports Augmented Reality (AR) technology, the 3D model will appear as a virtual object in the real-world environment shown on the camera screen. That way, your customers can virtually place items like a chair in their room, or "try on" sneakers or hoodies.
The 3D models you create are available on the product details page, and can supplement a set of images and videos of your products. 3D modeling works best for apparel, furniture, or any other similar business vertical where “trying on” products before purchasing is important.
Requirements for creating 3D models with the LiDAR scanner
Certain physical characteristics of a product are more difficult for the LiDAR scanner to capture, and may affect the final result.
Before you begin your scan, make sure that your product meets the technical requirements and you follow advice on performing the scan.
- Product dimensions should be at least 3 inches (8 cm) in length, width, and height.
- The accuracy of LiDAR sensor data varies based on the reflectivity of various surfaces. Smooth and highly reflective surfaces like mirrors, glass, and smooth water produce very small, poorly dispersed reflections that often miss the receiver, causing inaccuracies in scanner measurements.
- Provide enough lightning on the object to create a better quality 3D model.
- Avoid any sudden movements while scanning to get a better model.
Creating 3D models with the Ecwid iOS mobile app
You will need 10 to 15 minutes to scan and build a 3D model with the help of the Ecwid iOS mobile app and the Apple device that supports the LiDAR scanner.
Creating a 3D model requires scanning an object three times. Depending on the product weight and size of the object, you can scan your product in one of the following configurations:
- flip your product and scan each side.
- leave the product in its initial position and scan from a high angle, then a low angle.
The 3D scanner will suggest one configuration or the other automatically. If the suggested configuration doesn’t make sense to you, then you can choose the other configuration instead.
To create a 3D model in your Ecwid mobile app:
- Open your Ecwid iOS mobile app.
- Tap Products, then select a product.
- Tap Add image, then Create 3D Model.
- When you are ready to scan the object, tap Start Capture. Follow the instructions on the screen to create a better model.
- Once the first segment is complete, you will see the notification. The app will suggest how to rotate the object to scan the second segment. When you are ready to scan the second segment, tap Continue to make the second scan.
- Once the second segment is complete, you will see the notification. The app will suggest how to rotate the object to scan the third segment. When you are ready to scan the third segment, tap Continue to make the last scan.
- Tap Finish. It may take 5-10 minutes to build a model.
- Once the model is ready, tap Add to Product Description.
Once the model is uploaded to your product details, it will not appear as an image in your gallery. Instead, it will be attached to a product as a file in a special USDZ format that is supported by AR technologies. Your customers need to download the model and open it on their Apple device.
Customer experience: Viewing 3D models of your products
When you create a 3D model of a product, it appears as a USDZ file attached to the product. To see the model, customers need to download it to their iPhone, iPad, or Mac device.
First, your customers need to open your store on an Apple device. After opening your store, shoppers need to click on a product that has a 3D model. To download the model, they should click View 3D model:
On Mac or an iPhone/iPad that does not support the AR technology, shoppers can open the downloaded model in the Safari browser or with the default picture viewer to rotate the 3D model in any direction.
On an iPhone or iPad that supports the AR technology, the model will be opened through the device's camera and appear as a virtual object in the real-world environment shown on the camera screen. This AR technology allows customers to virtually place items like a bed table in their room or virtually "try on" running shoes: