Gone are the days when furniture designers must build multiple prototypes to develop the next furniture product in the lineup. Some handy persons and artisans probably still use less advanced methods, but most modern furniture makers utilize 3D CAD to build their design drawings and make virtual prototypes. Even non-professionals have the option to hire 3D furniture modeling firms to have a detailed 3D visualization made. In both scenarios, virtual models are accurate digital representations of physical furniture products, and the models are like fully-developed prototypes accessible on computer screens.
Since the 3D furniture models are essentially digital files, they can be modified as the designers find necessary. A furniture company can build multiple iterations of any product directly on screen without spending a dime on materials and tools. The finished 3D models and renders also make for effective marketing content in offline and online media. It is a great all-in-one package if you find the right 3D furniture rendering and 3D furniture modeling services.
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Cost of 3D furniture modeling services
3D modeling design services, like furniture design, is a creative process for which there is no standard pricing. In general, the most determining factors to affect the price are complexity and the professionals on the job. The price range in the United States varies on average, as outlined below:
| Complexity | Characteristics | Completion Time (Hours) | Approximate Cost |
| Simple | A simple low-poly 3D furniture model without any complex geometry like curves and stitches. For example, basic tables, wooden chairs, metal benches, and credenzas. | 2 | $40 – $80 |
| Medium | The details of organic shapes with complex geometries and detailed textures in the 3D furniture model. | 15 | $100 – $150 |
| High | Furniture models with high-end materials, such as leather or wool, and intricate ornaments | 40 | $170 – $260 |
| Superb | A custom 3D furniture model completed with physically based rendering (PBR) materials. Small details like weaving, stitching, and even forging must be visible. | 50 | $260 – $520 |
Note: PBR (physically based rendering) refers to any particular material’s modeling and rendering process to showcase its actual physical property. For example, brushed metal should absorb and refract lights differently than polished aluminum; the same applies to woods, leather, and fabrics.
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Pricing structure
3D furniture modelers, whether self-employed freelancers or CGI studios, may come with two different pricing strategies:
- Hourly rate: the average rate for 3D furniture modelers is between $40 and $60 per hour. Since drawing a completely new furniture design may take more than several hours, the pricing structure is best when you have a simple to medium-complexity project.
- Per project rate: as the name suggests, the price is determined based on the overall scope of work. The price range is relatively consistent with the list in the table above. If you have never worked with 3D modelers and are generally inexperienced, the per-project rate is an effective method to avoid going over budget. A large project requiring dozens or more complex furniture models can cost thousands.
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Generally, always look at the modelers’ portfolios before hiring them. The 3D furniture modeler may have a range of low-poly and high-polygonal models from previous projects. Ensure the 3D modelers are also experienced in creating a model in specific styles you want. Set up a test project if required to see the 3D modeler’s techniques and proficiency before moving on to a more significant project.
3D furniture modeling cost factors
Many 3D furniture rendering freelancers and design studios are happy to provide shiny collections of past projects, clients’ reviews, and even the entire design workflow. However, few are willing to give a detailed price list. Once again, 3D furniture modeling is creative work and more of a labor-intensive process than a resource-demanding job. While it’s challenging to determine the exact cost of your project, the price is influenced by the following factors:
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- Polygons: an essential factor that defines the quality (and price) of a 3D furniture model is the number of polygons used. 3D models can be made with low-poly, mid-poly, and high-poly. At the bottom are low-poly models, usually reserved for online gaming and real-time rendering. For furniture modeling, high-poly is best. High-poly translates to a smooth surface and price geometry.
- Viewing angles: in the strict sense of the word, a 3D model is an unpolished digital object. A barebone 3D model has no colors or textures, and it is either a wireframe structure of an object or a plain digital sculpture. It must undergo a rendering process to give the 3D model a sensible shape that humans can easily perceive and understand. It will receive patterns, lines, surface details, and an instantly recognizable shape. A single render produces a static image seen from one viewing angle, and every variation costs extra.
- Urgency: a rushed project calls for extra work hours. The client must compensate the 3D modelers for working overtime and on weekends. Once the 3D furniture CAD designer receives the project brief, they can calculate the estimated completion date based on the scope of work. An additional fee applies if you require the project to be completed ahead of the pre-determined schedule.
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- Texturing: as part of 3D furniture rendering services, texturing can be a hardware-demanding application for an intricate furniture model, for example, an Ancient Egyptian or Jacobean set. Texture gives every 3D model its distinctive shape from the materials, colors, and ornaments. Modern and Bauhaus styles are not as complex. Common, mass-produced materials like metal, plastic, or glass do not require much tuning to get the desired results, but such high-end products as leather, silk, or cashmere wool are much trickier. The cost for the texturing work alone is between $20 to $80.
- Revisions: some freelancers give an extra revision or two free of charge, but subsequent modification is regarded as a new order. Corrections are hardly necessary as long as the client provides a clear project brief and gives prompt feedback to the modeler’s every question.
To reduce the cost further, the client may ask the modeler to use an existing 3D furniture model from a public domain library. The client also has the option to acquire premium assets and utilize them as the basis for the new models. It might work if the furniture design does not deviate much from the available models. Otherwise, drawing from scratch would be more practical.
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Choose the correct type of 3D modeling
There are at least two types of 3D furniture modeling based on their intended applications or purposes:
Basic modeling for static render
A product or lifestyle shot is ideal for simple promotional content on offline and online catalogs. A product shot features a static render of a 3D furniture model in front of a plain background, with nothing else in the frame. The distraction-free image should immediately draw viewers’ attention to the displayed item. Lifestyle images are a step higher in complexity because the 3D model – as the focal point – is complemented by other related items such as decorations, flooring, and interior elements. Unless you need top-notch static render, low-poly models should do just fine for both purposes. The 3D models are typically small, easy to create, and affordable.
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Interactive content
Beyond static catalogs and for interactive media, low-polygonal mesh might appear rough around the edges on a computer screen. Modern furniture companies promote their products by using animated renders, virtual staging for architecture professionals, or augmented reality. An interactive animated render allows viewers to manipulate the models using basic commands like zoom, rotate, and flip. Viewers will be able to inspect every little detail of the model (product) closely, so it is wise to utilize the high-polygonal mesh modeling technique for accuracy.
Viewers focus not only on the general shape and dimension of the furniture but also textures, ornamentations, colors, materials, and additional features. An animated high-poly model can be a tremendous undertaking if the product requires assembly. Interactive 3D models, or 3D product animation services and renders, are primarily used on websites and applications to explain product features and functions to customers. Apart from being promotional content, the animated models also act as educational media to help everyone interactively understand the product’s parts, specifications, and details.
Companies can use 3D animated models as reference points during the design phase. The models are virtual prototypes and open to modifications and refinements. 3D architectural animation designers and engineers can try different layouts, color combinations, textures, or materials to see how the product looks before production begins. The most significant advantage of a virtual prototype is design flexibility; there is a virtually limitless range of configurations to try, and the process costs little to no money.
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3D furniture modeling services offer a quick and easy gateway to creating high-quality design visualizations for product marketing and development. The 3D models are also usable for future projects, saving companies from the potentially expensive photoshoot routine. Of course, the models must be re-rendered for every new scene, but the process is still much more practical than organizing a photo session. With 3D models, most (if not all) of the props for lifestyle images are virtual, too, so everything is possibly done on a computer screen.
How Cad Crowd can assist
Cad Crowd is here to help you leverage the power of 3D furniture visualization and rendering services. Our platform connects you with skilled furniture CAD design professionals and 3D furniture modeling designers with the expertise to create high-end 3D rendering content tailored to your needs. Whether launching a new furniture product or looking to enhance your marketing visuals, Cad Crowd’s talented designers will ensure your renders capture your design vision and resonate with your target audience. Request a free quote from Cad Crowd and take the next step in achieving your business goals.