It is no secret that design methods have greatly evolved. 3D design techniques have emerged to allow the creation of digital models expressed in three-dimensional space. Since then, this type of design has entered many fields, both simple and complex.
Today's article seeks to provide an answer to the question of what is 3D design, trying to uncover the secrets of this type of design, reviewing its basics, the skills required to master it, and the programs used to create its models.
What is 3D design?
We can reach a simple answer to the question of what is 3D design by first looking at 2D designs. While these designs only exploit two axes: the horizontal axis X-Axis and the vertical axis Y-Axis, 3D design adds another axis called the Z-Axis, and thus we can obtain a digital model that occupies a volume of space instead of 2D designs that used to occupy an area of a piece of paper or an advertising sign.
- 3D design relies on programs that harness technology to create the necessary designs for many sectors, including: the marketing, engineering, and medical sectors, as these designs allow the possibility of visualizing the final model before proceeding to implement it.
- Many people get confused when it comes to 3D design and 3D modeling, and although they both share the use of software to visualize objects, there is still room for difference.
- 3D Design aims to create a model from scratch, from a sketch to a print-ready design.
- As for 3D Modelling, it seeks to reach a 3D model that expresses an existing object, and this may be done by scanning the object, or with the help of computer design programs (CAD).
You can get designs and models in addition to other services for your company, as we at Rukin provide a group of distinguished services for companies and institutions. All you have to do is contact us now.
Steps involved in 3D design
Now that we have understood what 3D design is, it seems like a good opportunity to review the steps that 3D design goes through. The following points show these steps and the role of each one:
- Conceptualizing: In this step, the idea or concept to be expressed by the design is determined.
- Modeling: Modeling is the process of creating a 3D design of the object using software designed for this purpose .
- Texturing: This step involves covering the model with materials and colors that improve its visual appearance to make it look more realistic.
- Lighting: Virtual light sources are used to create realistic shadows and reflections that highlight the details of the model to the greatest possible extent .
- Rendering: The software creates a 3D rendering that realistically expresses the object, studying the factors that interact with the object, including: lighting, shadows, and reflections, taking into account the nature of the materials intended to be used in printing the object.
- Interactivity: In the last step, movements are added to the model elements, so that the designer can make a judgment about the performance of the expected model.
3D Design Basics
There are a set of rules that must be known before embarking on the field of 3D design. Despite the simplicity of these rules, which seem known to those with an engineering background, they must be reviewed well for the design process to proceed as intended. The following lines explain these basics in detail:
Line
The line expresses the method used to connect one point to another. The line may be horizontal, vertical, or tilted at a specific angle. The purpose of using lines is focused on dividing the space or void in a way that serves the design to be implemented.
Lines have a great ability to draw the viewer's attention to a specific point in the design, and they also carry different psychological connotations. Intertwined lines make the recipient feel chaotic, while a design based on oblique lines appears spontaneous. In between, vertical lines express strictness, which means that it is possible to mix these lines within a single design to direct the viewer to where he is intended to be directed.
Projection
A projection refers to a plane or surface with X-Axis and Y-Axis axes, through which designers can visualize each face of an object, allowing them to get a realistic view of the design before it is clad.
Shape
A shape is nothing but a two-dimensional image (2D), but the issue of converting it into a solid does not seem complicated. Shapes can be classified into 3 main categories:
- Geometric shapes: Geometric shapes have a clear design. They are the shapes that we have studied for many years, and they include: the square, the triangle, and the circle.
- Natural shapes: These shapes appear in a curved form that the eye is familiar with. The most prominent examples of them are: mountains, clouds, and waves.
- Arbitrary shapes: These shapes are not subject to specific controls, as they are drawn in a spontaneous manner to enrich the design and move it away from the familiar.
Space
Space is the volume of the design and its visual essence, which is classified into two categories: positive space and negative space. Positive space represents all the basic axes of the design with all its elements, while negative space is the empty space in the design or the background color.
Designers are always keen to strike a balance between positive and negative space, as this balance results in a design that does not confuse the viewer.
Lighting
Design programs provide multiple sources of lighting to make the model look like it would be if it were printed. Given the many types of lighting available, designers are required to choose the appropriate type, taking into account the environment in which the model will be embodied when it is printed and used in reality.
Color
We cannot ignore the importance of colors in design, whether two-dimensional or three-dimensional, as colors play with the viewer’s feelings. Warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange inspire happiness and optimism, and make the viewer full of energy and vitality. As for cold colors such as blue, green, and purple, they suggest relaxation and calm.
Texture
Texture gives the object its own nature, as the viewer begins to sense the visible surface, to form his impression of the object in terms of: smoothness, roughness, hardness, transparency, and other matters that may be referred to in order to know whether the object is able to perform its function in the circumstances that will surround it, or whether it is not worthy of becoming a final product.
The most prominent programs used in 3D design
The answer to the question of what is 3D design remains incomplete unless we address the programs used to produce these models, so the following points will display the 5 most important programs in this field:
- Autodesk Fusion 360: Autodesk Fusion 360 offers comprehensive solutions for 3D design and modeling, and allows designers to work together within one team to complete the same project. The program is usually used to design mechanical parts and electronic devices.
- TinkerCAD: TinkerCAD can be a preferred choice for those entering this field, as it has a simple graphical interface, which allows for the creation of models in a short time, in addition to its uses related to teaching the basics of 3D design.
- SolidWorks: SolidWorks offers a set of integrated tools to implement designs of all complexity levels, and it also allows designers to verify the validity of their designs before starting the printing process, as it has the ability to perform real-time simulation.
- SketchUp : SketchUp combines simplicity and effectiveness, making it easier for designers to visualize objects in three dimensions. The program also has ready-to-use models, making it a suitable choice for professionals and beginners alike.
- ZBrush: Focused on digital sculpting and high-resolution modeling, ZBrush is the safe haven for digital game, film, and animation makers, creating characters with fine and complex details.
Skills required for a 3D designer
The field of 3D design is witnessing fierce competition in light of the remarkable development in design, modeling, and printing technologies, which has prompted designers to develop their skills to keep pace with these changes. A 3D designer must have the following skills:
- Familiarity with the basics of 3D design including: axes, colors, lighting, and shadow.
- Fully capable of exploiting the various tools provided by 3D design programs.
- Uniqueness with a fertile imagination and a creative sense to move design away from the limits of repetition and monotony.
- Ability to work alone or within a team to be qualified for large projects.
- Organize time so that each step gets its due, so that the design comes out in its best form.
Best Saudi Company for 3D Design Services
- Recommendations always point to Rakeen as the ideal choice for 3D design services. The company does not only design, but also prints the models with the highest quality using the best materials and colors.
- Large organizations can use Rakin to establish their identity in the minds of customers, as the company designs and prints office decorations, shields, and distributions loaded with the messages and goals of those organizations, which leads to increased customer awareness of their activities.
You can get a customized model by contacting us now.
Samples of Rakeen products
Characterized by their amazing accuracy and intricate details, Rakeen 3D models are produced using the latest 3D printing technology, making them perfectly realistic:
Eid Crescent Sculpture (Vase)
The Eid crescent moon sculpture , which features distinctive Islamic motifs, is extremely accurate . This sculpture may be part of the decor of institutions, or it may be used in home decor, but what can be said for sure is that it is an ideal gift to celebrate the coming of Eid.
Unique Palace Model - AlUla
The unique model of Al-Ula Palace came to highlight the brilliance of sculpture and architecture in the Nabataean civilization. This palace was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and Rakeen Company was able to produce this model with great precision to reflect the architectural splendor of this palace.
With this much said, we have answered the question of what is 3D design, and we have also touched on the basics of this type of design, the programs it relies on, and the skills that must be available to a 3D designer to set foot in the field of this field that is witnessing fierce competition.