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.

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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.

  1. 3D rendering hero image
    01

    3D 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.

    Read the reference
  2. Smarter iKettle 3D product animation, pouring shot
    02

    3D 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.

    Read the reference
  3. Architectural CGI aerial rendering, IC Capital Rom Valley Gardens
    03

    CGI

    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.

    Read the reference
  4. Augmented reality mixed reality glasses
    04

    Augmented 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)

Smarter iKettle 3D product animation, pouring shot

3D Animation

3D Animation: Types, Process and Uses for Product Brands

CGI furniture animation and 3D motion still

3D Animation

3D Furniture Animation: Uses, Process and Range Coverage

Jewellery animation still, ring in motion

3D Animation

3D Jewellery Animation: How Premium Brands Film Stones and Metal

Noesis Florio product animation video preview

3D Animation

3D Marketing Videos: Formats, Process and ROI

3D product animation still, TV product

3D Animation

3D Product Animation: Types, Process and Launch Uses

Educational animation still, Lucas medical device

3D Animation

Educational Animations: CGI for Training and Explanation

Storyboarding, animation production stage 1

3D Animation

Storyboards Guide: The Pre-Production Craft for CGI

Thumbnail storyboard sketch

3D Animation

Types of Storyboards: Formats and When to Use Each

Rollink Futo animated colourways still

3D Animation

Animated Colourways: Product Marketing that Shows Every Variant

Exploded animation still, FLM scooter controller

3D Animation

Exploded Animations: Making the Assembly the Story

Instructional animation, Allwood Modulite assembly

3D Animation

Instructional Animations: CGI for Assembly and Set-Up

Marketing animation still, Flash Motors scooter

3D Animation

Marketing Animations: Product Motion for Every Channel

Product 360 render

3D Animation

Product 360: Full Rotation Experiences on PDP and Social

Product turntable render

3D Animation

Product Turntables: Interactive Rotation on the Product Page

Teaser animation, Smarter kettle reveal

3D Animation

Teaser Animations: Reveals Before the Product Ships

Technical animation still, Flash Motors scooter controller

3D Animation

Technical Animations: Engineering Communication on Screen

3D Modelling (4)

3D modelling grey card

3D Modelling

3D Modelling: Types, Uses and Downstream Deliverables

Furniture modelling grey card, Muju desk

3D Modelling

3D Furniture Modelling: Types, Process and Range Coverage

3D model preparation, realistic separation of parts

3D Modelling

3D Model Preparation: Tips for Superior Renders

3D product modelling grey-card preview of the Duux Neo humidifier

3D Modelling

What Is 3D Product Modelling? Process, Uses and Deliverables

3D Rendering (20)

3D rendering hero image

3D Rendering

3D Rendering: Types, Process and Uses

3D file format guide, architectural rendering

3D Rendering

3D File Format Guide: What to Send, What to Expect

3D furniture render, bed

3D Rendering

3D Furniture Rendering: Uses, Process and Range Economics

3D jewellery render, ring

3D Rendering

3D Jewellery Rendering: Materials, Light and Use Cases

3D rendering buyer's guide, furniture

3D Rendering

3D Rendering Buyer's Guide: How to Commission a Project

Interior penthouse rendering, project brief guide

3D Rendering

How to Write a 3D Rendering Project Brief

Keyshot rendering tips, XO3D studio work

3D Rendering

Keyshot Tips: 11 Techniques for Better Product Renders

Realistic 3D render, Chigwell interior bedroom

3D Rendering

Realistic 3D Renders: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding image resolution for 3D renders

3D Rendering

Understanding Image Resolution for 3D Renders

3D Product Rendering of Kettle

3D Rendering

What Is 3D Product Rendering? Process and Uses

Product rendering software guide

3D Rendering

3D Product Rendering Software Guide

Exploded view render, FLM scooter controller

3D Rendering

Exploded Views: Every Part, Rendered

Lifestyle render, bluetooth earphones

3D Rendering

Lifestyle Images: Product CGI in Context

Product marketing images

3D Rendering

Marketing Images: Hero Product Stills for Every Channel

Product rendering material guide

3D Rendering

Material Rendering for Product CGI

Product infographic

3D Rendering

Product Infographics: Annotated Hero Renders

Product interactive, Rollink three colours

3D Rendering

Product Interactive: Turntables, Configurators and AR

Product rendering lighting guide

3D Rendering

Product Rendering Lighting Guide

Teaser render, iKettle marketing

3D Rendering

Teaser Renders: Pre-Launch Product Reveals

Product rendering history

3D Rendering

The History of Product Rendering

Amazon (1)

Amazon product image, white-background speaker render

Amazon

Amazon Images: A CGI Guide for Sellers

Colour (1)

Colour palette guide

Colour

Colour in Art and CGI: Palette, Theory and Practice

Marketing (3)

Digital marketing render of a Rollink suitcase

Marketing

Digital Marketing for Product Brands: The CGI Playbook

Product advertisement 3D imagery

Marketing

Product Advertisement: The CGI Route to Better Ads

Speaker product marketing image, XO3D 3D render

Marketing

Product Marketing: Formats, Uses and the CGI Advantage

Interior (1)

Interior 3D modelling grey card, living room

Interior

Interior Modelling: 3D Rooms, Rebuilt from Plans

Mood Boards (1)

Mood board reference imagery, blue palette

Mood Boards

Mood Boards: The Creative Brief for a CGI Project

Product Launch (1)

New product launch marketing image, electric scooter

Product Launch

Product Launch: The CGI-Led Content Playbook

Video Production (1)

Video production for product marketing, XO3D CGI film still

Video Production

Video Production for Product Brands: Types, Process and Uses

3D Artist (2)

How to become a successful 3D artist

3D Artist

What Is a 3D Artist? Roles, Skills and Career Paths

3D materials and textures

3D Artist

Understanding Materials and Textures in 3D Rendering

Augmented Reality (2)

Augmented reality mixed reality glasses

Augmented Reality

What Is Augmented Reality? Product, Retail and Brand Uses

Product augmented reality viewer on a mobile phone

Augmented Reality

What Is Product Augmented Reality? Guide, Uses and Examples

CGI (1)

Architectural CGI aerial rendering, IC Capital Rom Valley Gardens

CGI

What Is CGI? Types, Process and How Brands Use It

Virtual Reality (1)

Virtual reality headset in use

Virtual Reality

What Is Virtual Reality? Uses in Product, Property and Marketing

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

Studio field notes

Have a brief?

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We reply to every brief personally, usually within one working day.

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