XO3D Studio · Resources
The XO3D reference library.
55 plain-English pages on every facet of 3D rendering, animation, modelling, AR/VR and CGI. Written from the studio floor, not generic content-marketing fluff.
Start here
The four pillars.
Hub pages covering the disciplines our studio works in daily. Each links out to specialist references on materials, lighting, file formats and more.
013D Rendering
3D Rendering: Types, Process and Uses
The XO3D guide to 3D rendering. What it is, the main disciplines (product, architectural, interior, jewellery), how the process works, and where brands commission CGI over photography.
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023D Animation
3D Animation: Types, Process and Uses for Product Brands
The XO3D guide to 3D animation. What it is, the main types of product animation, how the pipeline works, and where brands commission animation over live-action film.
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03CGI
What Is CGI? Types, Process and How Brands Use It
A practical guide to CGI (computer-generated imagery). What it is, the main disciplines, how the process works and why brands commission CGI over photography for product launches, architecture and marketing.
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04Augmented Reality
What Is Augmented Reality? Product, Retail and Brand Uses
A practical guide to augmented reality for brands. What AR is, where it earns its keep in product marketing, retail and ecommerce, and how the assets are produced from a single 3D source.
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The full library
Browse by topic.
55 reference pages across 14 topic areas. Bookmark what's relevant to your brief.
3D Animation (16)
3D Animation
3D Animation: Types, Process and Uses for Product Brands
3D Animation
3D Furniture Animation: Uses, Process and Range Coverage
3D Animation
3D Jewellery Animation: How Premium Brands Film Stones and Metal
3D Animation
3D Marketing Films: Formats, Process and Campaign Planning
3D Animation
3D Product Animation: Types, Process and Launch Uses
3D Animation
Educational Animations: CGI for Training and Explanation
3D Animation
Storyboards Guide: The Pre-Production Craft for CGI
3D Animation
Types of Storyboards: Formats and When to Use Each
3D Animation
Animated Colourways: Product Marketing that Shows Every Variant
3D Animation
Exploded Animations: Making the Assembly the Story
3D Animation
Instructional Animations: CGI for Assembly and Set-Up
3D Animation
Marketing Animations: Product Motion for Every Channel
3D Animation
Product 360: Full Rotation Experiences on PDP and Social
3D Animation
Product Turntables: Interactive Rotation on the Product Page
3D Animation
Teaser Animations: Reveals Before the Product Ships
3D Animation
Technical Animations: Engineering Communication on Screen
3D Modelling (4)
3D Rendering (20)
3D Rendering
3D Rendering: Types, Process and Uses
3D Rendering
3D File Format Guide: What to Send, What to Expect
3D Rendering
3D Furniture Rendering: Uses, Process and Range Economics
3D Rendering
3D Jewellery Rendering: Materials, Light and Use Cases
3D Rendering
3D Rendering Buyer's Guide: How to Commission a Project
3D Rendering
How to Write a 3D Rendering Project Brief
3D Rendering
Keyshot Tips: 11 Techniques for Better Product Renders
3D Rendering
Realistic 3D Renders: A Step-by-Step Guide
3D Rendering
Understanding Image Resolution for 3D Renders
3D Rendering
What Is 3D Product Rendering? Process and Uses
3D Rendering
3D Product Rendering Software Guide
3D Rendering
Exploded Views: Every Part, Rendered
3D Rendering
Lifestyle Images: Product CGI in Context
3D Rendering
Marketing Images: Hero Product Stills for Every Channel
3D Rendering
Material Rendering for Product CGI
3D Rendering
Product Infographics: Annotated Hero Renders
3D Rendering
Product Interactive: Turntables, Configurators and AR
3D Rendering
Product Rendering Lighting Guide
3D Rendering
Teaser Renders: Pre-Launch Product Reveals
3D Rendering
The History of Product Rendering
Marketing (3)
Mood Boards (1)
Product Launch (1)
Video Production (1)
3D Artist (2)
Augmented Reality (2)
Plan the brief
Decision guides and studio field notes.
Practical reading for choosing the right format, setting the production brief and understanding the craft behind the final frame.
Decision guides
- Product animation or still renders?
- CGI studio or render farm?
- CGI or AI-generated product images?
- CGI or product photography?
- Sound design for product films
- What is a 3D animatic?
- What is look development?
- What is physically based rendering?
- When does a product need interactive 3D?
- Product CGI brief template
Your next project
Find the right starting point.
Use these references to understand a technique, then choose the output that serves your product. A production conversation begins with the audience and source material.
A route to consider
Launch Visuals
A directed launch suite: film, stills and channel versions, scoped around the product story and release plan.
Bring these three things.
- What is your product?
- What does the audience need to understand?
- Where and when will the work appear?
Start with an outline. We review the product, intended outputs and timing before agreeing the production scope.