If you’re wondering what a render is and how it can help you personally or professionally, you’re in the right place. At Behind Pictures, we are experts in 3D rendering technology, and we integrate it into every one of our projects. That’s why we want to help you understand what a render is, what it’s used for, and its key advantages.
What Is a 3D Render?
Do you know what a render is? You’ll find many different definitions online, but essentially, it is a digital image designed to look highly realistic. In other words, it is a digitally created image that aims to closely resemble a photograph of a place, character, space, object, or environment. If you understand this, then you already know what a render is. But… what about a 3D render? In reality, there is no major difference, as renders are already intended to be realistic and therefore naturally present images in three dimensions.
What Are Renders Used For?
Now that you know what a render is, it’s important to understand what it’s used for. Renders are part of the daily workflow of any company or organization, as they play a key role in the commercial phase. For example, when a company—such as a sneaker brand—plans to launch a new product, renders are used before, during, and after development. They help evaluate audience response, give teams a clearer visual reference, and support marketing departments in promoting the product. In other words, renders are always present in the commercial phase and in product promotion. That said, when we talk about what a render is and what it’s used for, we are mainly referring to industries such as architecture, construction, interior design, film, video games, and animation. In these sectors, renders play a fundamental role in achieving efficient and high-quality results.Explore Different Types of Renders
As you can imagine, now that you understand what a render is, there is a wide variety of types. They can be categorized in different ways—depending on their purpose, the industry they belong to, or how they are created. Below are some of the most common and widely used types of renders:Architectural Render
The ideal tool for selling your architectural projects. Being able to showcase the final result of a project before it is built is a powerful way to streamline and secure the sales process.
For example, when selling newly built properties, you can create renders of the entire layout to show what the final result will look like. This allows you to appeal to potential buyers on an emotional level—far more effectively than with technical reports or 2D plans.
Virtual Tour
Do you know what a tour render or virtual tour is? It is probably one of the most advanced technologies for visualizing digital images. Each image is captured in panoramic format—or multiple images are created—allowing you to navigate the space in 360º. This process is applied to every scene, resulting in a digital environment that you can explore freely in all directions. This allows you to examine the final product in detail and from multiple perspectives, whether it’s an office space, a handbag, or even a football stadium. However, this technology is most commonly used to present architectural projects.
360º Render
What is a 360º render? It is similar to a virtual tour, although instead of being focused mainly on architectural projects, it is also widely used for products or animated characters. This technology allows you to rotate the image 360º, but it does not enable full navigation through the space.Product Render
What is a product render? It is a technology specifically designed to commercialize a new product or support a product launch. It is usually part of a broader marketing strategy and accurately represents the final product that will be offered to users. However, unlike traditional photography, product renders allow much greater flexibility when working with textures, lighting, shadows, colors, dimensions, and more—thanks to product rendering technology.
3D Animation
Now that you understand what a render is, you might be wondering… is it the same as a 3D animation? Not exactly. 3D animation is what brings renders to life. It allows for greater movement within the image and lets you interact with the digital scene in a way that feels more dynamic and accessible. It is most commonly used in architecture and design.Uses of Renders: Discover If You Truly Understand What a Render Is and How It Can Benefit Your Business
Now that you know what renders are, what they are used for, and the different types available, let’s explore whether they can significantly improve your business performance and results. Renders and 3D designs are used across many industries, and the sectors that benefit the most include:Architectural Projects
For many years, architectural projects have been presented using 2D plans and lengthy reports filled with information. Until recently, many people were unaware of what renders are and the advantages they offer. While traditional methods are still useful, presenting a project through a hyper-realistic 3D design allows clients to fully understand the final result and visualize every detail as if the project were already completed. Take a look at some of our architectural render projects:Product-Based Businesses
If you run a business that sells physical products, using a 3D product render can greatly streamline the design process. By visualizing all features and functionalities in detail, you can identify potential design issues early and resolve them more efficiently. Additionally, when presenting your products with detailed 3D visuals, potential customers can experience them almost as if they were already holding them in their hands. Explore some of our product rendering results:Real Estate Agencies
How can you showcase properties without in-person visits? With real estate 3D renders and 360º tours, you can present properties for sale or rent directly on your website. This not only makes the agent’s job easier, but also expands your reach to a larger audience. Why? Because multiple users can explore the same property simultaneously without needing a guided visit. With a high-quality 360º tour, users can explore properties in a hyper-realistic way, with every detail carefully represented. Check out some of our 360º tour projects:Museums
How can museums generate value using renders? It’s simpler than it seems. Imagine attracting thousands of visitors to a museum that doesn’t physically exist. With 3D renders, it’s possible to create virtual visits through interactive 360º tours, allowing users to explore exhibitions without leaving their homes. Additionally, with VR (virtual reality) technology, users can experience even deeper immersion using VR headsets.Event Organizers
Discover what your event will look like before setting up the first stage. How? Through a hyper-realistic 3D visualization of the entire event. Is this applicable to any type of event? Absolutely. You can simulate all physical aspects, including crowd presence, layout, and atmosphere—everything ready before the event takes place. Take a look at this event we visualized before installation:Interior Designers
How can you present interior design concepts while showing the final outcome? If you run an interior design studio, you can increase sales and revenue by using hyper-realistic renders to showcase how a renovation will look before it begins. What can you design with interior renders? Any space within a property—living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, and more. Companies also hire interior designers to renovate offices or facilities. Imagine the value of presenting a full visual preview to a company with over 200 employees—showing the final result before construction begins significantly increases the chances of closing the deal.Virtual Reality (VR) Projects
Virtual reality projects rely entirely on this technology, as they are built using fully digital 3D environments created through rendering.Animation Studios
Animation studios are among the primary users of 3D rendering and modeling. They have been using this technology for years, as their work depends on creating virtual objects in 3D. These animations can also be used to showcase product features or architectural designs through product animations and architectural animations.Video Game Developers
The video game industry is another major user of rendering technology. But how do developers use renders? Every 3D video game includes environments, backgrounds, and characters—all created using rendering techniques to build unique digital experiences. These are just some of the industries that leverage this technology to develop their projects and drive sales. Many others also benefit from it. Ultimately, creativity plays a crucial role: ask yourself, how can I increase the perceived value of my business using 3D renders?
Benefits of Understanding What a Render Is and How to Use It
Understanding what a render is is essential when creating 3D visuals. Without this knowledge, you could be missing out on significant market opportunities when it comes to commercializing your creations and services. Discover the key benefits of using renders and 3D design in your business:- Increase sales:
- 3D renders help your business sell more. How? They allow you to showcase the final result of a project before it even begins, increasing desire and helping close more deals.
- If you run an online store, you can display your products in 3D along with all their features, so users can clearly see what they’ll receive before purchasing.
- Save resources:
- You can present projects without needing to meet clients in person. For example, in real estate, virtual tours allow multiple users to explore the same property simultaneously.
- Another example is virtual museum tours, which have become increasingly popular—especially after the pandemic. You can offer a museum experience without the need for a physical building or on-site staff.
- Increase perceived value:
- By designing projects in 3D formats, potential clients can visualize the final result—whether it’s a construction project or a product like a pair of glasses—and even imagine how it would look or function.
- If they like what they see, it creates a stronger emotional response and increases the likelihood of purchase.
- New business opportunities (virtual world):
- As mentioned earlier, virtual tours and digital environments have grown significantly in recent years. This has opened up new business opportunities and markets with strong economic potential, such as the metaverse.
- Analyze design errors:
- One of the most valuable advantages for businesses. By designing projects digitally—whether architectural or product-based—you can detect and correct design errors more easily and in greater detail.
How We Create Renders in Our Studio
Are you someone who enjoys exploring these topics? Do you feel like you still don’t fully understand what a 3D render is and its advantages for your business? Here’s a general overview of how to create a 3D render and the resources you can use to get started. The 4 key steps to creating a high-quality render:- 3D modeling of the space: This involves creating a 3D design of the environment or scene where the project will take place. For example, in interior design, this could be a room.
- Materials: At this stage, the objects within the scene are designed, including textures, materials, and how they interact with light.
- Lighting: Lighting is what separates a hyper-realistic render from a poor-quality one. Every detail must be carefully considered, including the difference between natural and artificial light.
- Rendering: The final step is to use a rendering engine to generate the final image. The quality of the result often depends on the engine used.
- Most commonly used rendering engines:
- 3Delight
- Appleseed
- Corona Renderer
- Arnold
- Cycles
- Unreal Engine
- Eevee
- Software for creating 3D designs:
- AutoCAD
- 3ds Max
- Revit
- SketchUp
- Cinema 4D and Maya
