This distillery visualization project included two different tasks. Namely, we needed to do still CG images of the space and also VR 3D rendering for a full immersion experience.

After the successful completion of the project, we wrote this case study to walk you through our process and show you what goes into producing those kinds of CGI. It’ll help you learn what to expect when working with an outsourcing 3D product visualization company and, most importantly — what types of cutting-edge 3D visuals you can get to empower your business. So, let’s begin!

In this project, we had two assignments. The first one was to create still 3D renderings. Namely, the customer wanted us to make 5 photorealistic interior views of the distillery in 4k resolution.

The second task was to design a VR experience. The final result needed to be:

• interactive, allowing free walking around the distillery room, touching and moving objects;
• as photorealistic as possible considering the technical capacities of VR gear;
• based on Unreal Engine 4.26;
  compatible with the Oculus Rift S VR headset.

Now, let’s take a look at the reference materials the client provided to us so that we could complete both 3D rendering tasks.

In the SoW, there were enough materials for us to start working on VR 3D rendering and stills right away:

• a SketchUp 3D scene;
• a PDF file with 3D renders of the SketchUp scene;
• a high-quality 3D model of the distiller we needed to put in the virtual space.

The SketchUp scene served as a great piece of visual reference for our 3D artists. It allowed them to accurately recreate the room layout in the new 3D scene they built in 3ds Max.

The PDF with the client’s 3D visuals allowed our specialists to see the camera angles they needed to set for photorealistic CG rendering. It also depicted the exact textures and materials to be used for finishes, furniture, and other items in the room.

The 3D model of the distiller was completely ready to use. So, our CG experts could just put it into the newly-built 3D scene.

We began our work with the creation of photorealistic still CG images. And then, we designed the VR experience. Let’s see how our 3D modeling and rendering process went.

First, our 3D artists built a high-poly 3ds Max scene that would be suitable for photorealistic 3D rendering. Here, they used the SketchUp file as a reference. Below, you can see the greyscale version of the CG scene before texturing. It’s highly detailed, which provided for photorealistic 3D rendering.

Once the CG artists added textures and assigned materials to this scene, they set 5 camera angles in it. Those had to be exactly the same as the ones in the SoW. After setting the angles, the CG specialists proceeded to render high-quality 3D imagery of the distillery using the Corona Renderer plugin. When all 5 views in 1920×1080 resolution were done, the CGI team sent them to the client for revision. Here’s one of those renderings.

Our team received just one note from the customer — the stone textures on the wall and on the floor needed to look precisely the same as in the reference PDF file. The 3D artists fixed them and got the revised images approved right away. Below, you can see the rendering with the updated textures.

To finalize the visuals, CG specialists rendered all 5 of them in the required 4k resolution and did some minor color correction in Photoshop. Then, the team submitted the results to the client and moved on to designing the interactive VR environment.

Here, our CG experts started with creating a low-poly 3D scene in 3ds Max. It was based on the high-poly one they previously made for static 3D visualization. Creating a low-poly version of it was necessary to enable fast real-time rendering of the 3D space in virtual reality mode.

Then, the artists imported the scene into the Unreal Engine software to make all the adjustments needed for an immersive VR experience. Namely, they:

• set the lighting sources in the virtual room;
• added textures and assigned material properties to all the objects and finishes;
• set the navigation points to enable walking around the virtual space and moving items in it;
• added an ambient soundtrack along with sound effects of objects being moved.

The 3D artists received no notes from the client regarding the VR 3D rendering outcome. Our work was approved and we submitted the final result — a .exe file with the VR scene where one can walk around and interact with the objects.

Here, you can see the final 5 high-quality 3D renders of the distillery in 4k.

And this is a video of the VR experience recorded by the CG expert that created it.

With such immersive visuals, our client was able to offer a completely next-level design viewing experience to their customers. Which is incredibly valuable for a brand that strives to stay relevant and attract more prospects.

So, that’s how we completed this VR 3D rendering and photorealistic visualization project! We hope you enjoyed our little behind-the-scenes tour of the process.

Looking for professional 3D modeling and rendering services to boost your presentation or marketing campaign? Contact us at UFO3D and get any kind of CG visuals — from photorealistic still renders to interactive virtual reality solutions!