The striking buzz around the market about low-poly 3D models is hard to miss. The technology has been around for decades, so what has caused the sudden upsurge in the chatter around them?
This may come as a surprise, but low-poly models have found a significant market position in the era of complex renders and highly detailed 3D models. What started as building blocks to complex 3D designs are now replacing users' preferred output composition. Industry veterans recognize low-poly models as indispensable in the future of 3D modeling as they are easy to integrate and quick to load on the website.
Does this mean we are going back in time to simplistic designs and basic renders, or are high-quality, low-poly 3D models actually the future of 3D modeling? Let’s find out.
In This Blog -
What Are Low-Poly 3D Models?
You must be familiar with polygons from elementary school geometry. In 3D tech, polygons are flat shapes combined to form 3D models for rendering. They have faces, vertices, and edges that make up the surface of the model. So basically, ‘poly’ in a low-poly model refers to the number of polygons used in the 3D model.
Are Low-Poly Models Better Than High-Poly Models?
You must be wondering: why not use detailed high-poly models for different platforms instead of low-poly models? This is because you can’t.
Well, technically, you can if long loading times and slow website processing do not bother you very much (it does). Low poly models are quick to load and easy to integrate into websites. High poly models, on the other hand, take a long time to render (sometimes even weeks) and load. Thus, if you want to provide your website users with a seamless and enjoyable browsing experience, low-poly and optimized models are your best bet.
For example, let’s compare a wooden and a glass beer mug. With its intricate details and texture, the wooden beer mug would require 6,000-7,000 polygons to build, whereas a glass beer mug could easily be made in 2,000 polygons.
Low Poly vs High Poly Models
| Ikarus 3D’s Low Poly Models | Low Poly Models | High Poly Models |
|---|---|---|
| We add balanced and intricate details into our 3D models so texture size and poly counts do not exceed. | Do not include details and have a smoother surface than high-poly models with less texture. | Feature intricate detailing with highly textured surface. |
| We use PBR maps to make our low poly models. That’s why our 3D models are realistic. | Usually, PBR maps are not used to create low poly models. This makes the model low poly but not realistic. | Not applicable. |
| We can specifically tune 3D models for native AR viewers of iOS (AR Kit) and Android (AR Core) - we can specifically tune models for these. | Fast or real-time rendering is possible. | Not applicable. |
| We break models into smaller parts so that creating 3D configurators is simpler, easier to develop, and requires less memory bandwidth. | Better for interactive and configurable renders. | Better for high-resolution static renders. |
| Optimized for AR and VR-based solutions with logically named nodes. Easier naming means easier tweaking for games. | They work well when AR or VR is involved. | Do not work very well when AR or VR is involved. |
| We use KHR extensions to compress the file size without quality compromise. | Not widely known. | Not applicable. |
Applications of Low-Poly 3D Models
Low-poly models are useful when too many details are not prioritized, and interactivity is a crucial component. This makes them a versatile option in a range of situations.
Interactive Renders
Renders that can be moved, rotated, or customized in real time are classified as interactive renders. Since low-poly models have fewer polygons in structure, they require minimum processing power, making it easy to add interactivity to the renders.
These interactives can enhance e-commerce in the fashion, furniture, and electronics industries, creating an engaging customer browsing experience. At Ikarus 3D, we build high-quality interactive renders that enhance customer engagement for your brand.
Roam luggage, for example, is a luggage brand that differentiates itself from competitors through its colorful and striking designs. They enable customers to move around the luggage to get a 360-degree view using a 3D viewer and even let them customize any suitcase's front shell, back shell, and trim.
Virtual Try-Ons (VTO)
Virtual Try-Ons create a dynamic consumer experience, allowing consumers to interact with products in real-time. They have transformed how the fashion and beauty industries work in e-commerce.
By providing an immersive virtual experience, VTO fosters trust and loyalty. At Ikarus 3D, we use high-quality, low-poly models to craft VTO solutions for different brands to ensure a seamless customer experience.
Fast fashion brand H&M is experimenting with VTO technology, merging technology with trendy apparel.
Architectural Renders
3D Architectural Visualization Rendering involves producing visual representations of future architectural projects. It speeds up design development, reviews, and approvals.
The initial stages of project development may be subject to many changes before the final design is approved. Making high-poly models for every stage is not a wise option. Opting for low-poly 3D models in the initial stages allows changes to be integrated into the model, saving businesses cost and time. These low-poly renders can be transformed into high-poly models to incorporate the final details.
Blinq, a residential complex based in Rotterdam, developed its website using architectural renders of the complex for future apartment buyers. Low poly models were used to craft web tours of the apartments for prospective customers.
Gaming
3D technology is the bedrock of the gaming industry. From the tracks and trains of Subway Surfers to the guns and barrels of Fortnite, all 3D assets in video games are built using low-poly models.
Then why do some games take only a few seconds to load while others take more than an hour? It all depends on the weight of the 3D models used to build the gaming universe. Low-poly renders focus on the overall form and structure of the model rather than diving into the details. They are used in games to reduce the optimization speed and enhance user experience.
For example, Minecraft is one of the most popular games that uses low-poly game art. The game features blocky, pixelated graphics that have become synonymous with the brand.
Advertising and Marketing
Low-poly models are ideal for advertising and marketing. Their cost efficiency and optimized loading times make them an attractive option for online marketers looking to advertise their products visually engagingly. They effectively balance performance with aesthetic impact in digital campaigns.
According to Outgrow, interactive content generates 2x more conversions than static content. You can integrate Ikarus 3D’s low-poly models into different online platforms to increase the conversion rate for your brand.
How Are Low-Poly Models Made?
Low-poly 3D models are popular in the 3D tech industry as they can be rapidly rendered while offering a stylized look. The following steps are involved in creating low-poly 3D models:
Build a Simple Structure
Low-poly models are pretty basic and do not involve complex geometry. Your 3D model's simple structure is built with basic geometric shapes combined and modified to maintain the model's style.
Add Texture to The Model
Since low-poly models have fewer polygons, texturing them is pretty simple. UV mapping ensures that all sides of the model are textured evenly.
By now, you must be wondering—do low-poly models feature no details at all? Well, low-poly models feature the necessary details, added using a retopology technique. Using retopology, the structure of a 3D model is optimized by reducing the poly-count. Detailed high-poly models are created and optimized to create low-poly models with the exact details.
Optimize
To ensure quick processing for low-poly models, as few polygons are used in the structure as possible. Thus, before the final render, check if the poly count in your model can further be reduced for better optimization of your low-poly 3D model.
What is the Best Software for Low-Poly Models?
Low-poly 3D modeling demands tools with a certain ease of use. Here are some of the best software options for low-poly modeling:
Blender
You might have heard of Blender since it is often referred to as the best software for 3D modeling. From personal experience, we can confirm that it really is. Blender is free, open-source software for rendering high-quality, low-poly 3D models. Its UV mapping and texturing tools are designed to render effective low-poly 3D models.
Learn more about the Impact of Blender 3D's open-source nature on development and user experience on ikarus3d.com.
SketchUp
While Blender has the best tools, its UI can be overwhelming for beginners. In that case, you can try SketchUp. While SketchUp is not a great option if you want highly detailed models, its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent alternative to generating low-poly models.
3DS Max
3DS Max’s robust modeling and texturing tools make it a sought-after software for 3D tech. However, it is pricey and may be complex for beginners.
Is Low-Poly The Future of 3D Modeling?
The 3D tech industry is rapidly moving towards enhanced interactivity and immersive experiences. These are crafted using AR and VR viewers and 3D Configurable Renders.
AR Viewer
According to Google, 53% of users abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Thus, AR viewers should be optimized to ensure the shortest possible loading time.
How do you do that? By using lightweight low-poly models. These models are quick to load and easily embedded in customer websites, significantly reducing the website load time.
VR Viewer
Imagine using a VR viewer that takes forever to load. You move your head a little, and the graphics lag simply because they’re too heavy for your platform. Not a great experience, right?
The ability to manipulate the digital environment in real time is the cornerstone of virtual reality. This is why visuals in VR need to load fast to maintain an immersive effect for users. At Ikarus 3D, we build high-quality, low-poly 3D models that excel at this, offering a seamless experience for users.
Configurable Renders
Configurable 3D Renders have taken interactivity to a new level. With just the click of a button, customers can visualize personalized options instantly, leading to informed purchase decisions and greater satisfaction with tailored products.
Due to reduced performance requirements, low-poly models support these real-time customizations in configurable renders. They eliminate lags and delays, leading to a seamless viewing experience for your customers.
Final Thoughts
In light of market developments in the 3D industry, low-poly, high-quality models are indispensable. They are easily optimizable, lightweight, and have low-performance requirements, making them ideal for various applications such as gaming, AR, VR, and interactive renders.
Ikarus 3D’s low-poly renders offer a balance between performance and visual appeal. Developed for various applications, such as 360-degree rendering, product configuration, and AR and VR-based renders, our low-poly renders cater to a growing need for optimized, interactive experiences across digital platforms.
