Designing 3D renders with CAD files | MAXRaft

Showcasing a product through 3D renders

MaxRaft, a leading provider of innovative concrete insulation solutions, approached us with the goal of creating 3D renders to showcase their flagship product, MAXSlab®.

As a patented concrete insulation system designed to improve temperature control within residential and commercial spaces, MAXSlab® consists of three key components: MAXEdge Perimeter Insulation, Load Bearing Insulated Thickenings, and MAXSlab® Infill.

Our task was to leverage CAD files provided by MaxRaft to create photorealistic 3D renders that effectively communicated the product's features and benefits to potential customers.

Designing 3d Renders for MAXSlab® Concrete Insulation:

MAXSlab® is a versatile concrete insulation system suitable for various ground types, with standard heights of 300/350/400mm, which can be adjusted to meet specific onsite requirements. The system consists of three interrelated components, each serving a distinct purpose:

1. MAXEdge Perimeter Insulation: This component serves a dual purpose by creating a thermal break and supporting the weight of perimeter walls. It effectively reduces heat loss from the floor, addressing a critical area where up to 80% of such loss commonly occurs.

2. Load Bearing Insulated Thickenings: MAXSlab® includes load-bearing thickenings that provide support for load-bearing walls within a building. These thickenings maintain a complete thermal envelope around the foundation, ensuring optimal insulation performance.

3. MAXSlab® Infill: The polystyrene infill component complements the system by cost-effectively ensuring proper insulation throughout the building. The infill's thickness is adjustable based on the slab height and specific design requirements.

3D Render Design Process:

1. Understanding Client Requirements: We initiated the project by conducting an in-depth consultation with MaxRaft to understand their specific requirements and goals for the 3D renders. It was crucial to grasp the product's unique selling points and the intended target audience.

2. CAD Files and Product Analysis: MaxRaft provided us with detailed CAD files of the MAXSlab® components. Our design team analyzed the files to gain insights into the product's design and construction details.

3. Conceptualization and Composition: Leveraging the product's technical specifications and benefits, we conceptualized various scenes and compositions that would best showcase the product's capabilities.
   
   We created 3D drafts (without colour) to start with, ensuring we had the finer details correct.

4. Creating Realistic Textures and Materials: To achieve photorealistic 3D renders, we paid special attention to textures and materials. We utilized high-quality texture maps and material libraries to ensure that the concrete insulation, polystyrene components, and surrounding environments looked authentic and visually appealing.

5. Multiple Angles and Environments: We designed renders from multiple angles to offer a comprehensive view of MAXSlab®. We also showcased the product in various environments, such as residential spaces, commercial buildings, and construction sites, to demonstrate its versatility and broad applicability.

6. Layered outputs: We created outputs so that we could showcase the product alone without concrete, alongside each other key layer eg. with metal, underfloor heating and with concrete and furniture.

7. Final Touches and Post-Production: After creating the initial renders, we performed post-production work to fine-tune the images. This included color correction, contrast adjustments, and adding subtle effects to enhance the overall visual impact.

The impact of designing multi-layered 3D renders

The 3D renders have enabled MaxRaft to use these designs across a range of places. This includes their website, brochures, event posters and instruction manuals alongside paid media campaigns on Facebook and Instagram.