More and more of you are contacting us to find out how much 3D modeling costs. That’s why we’ve decided to give you an overview of the 3D modeling prices charged by the industry, as well as those offered by Le Studio 3D, an offshore agency based in Tunisia.
What is 3D modeling?
First, a brief definition. According to Wikipedia, 3D modeling is the technique of creating, in specially dedicated software, a three-dimensional object by adding, subtracting and modifying its constituents. This modeled object can then be used for a variety of purposes: creation of photorealistic visuals for furnishings or real estate, creation of prototypes (CAD), 3D printing, animated films, video games…
Competitors’ 3D modeling pricing
The 3D industry is very stingy about communicating its prices. If you look hard enough, you’ll find hourly rates ranging from €40 to €60, or between €300 and €500 per day.
To find a cheaper price for 3D modeling, turn to freelancers via specialized platforms. Here, you can post your 3D modeling projects and propose your budget. Objectively speaking, for simple objects, you’ll probably find what you’re looking for. But if the modeling requires special care and delicate details to be reproduced, using this kind of service via freelancer platforms is risky.
Indeed, when dealing with a freelancer, corrections are not always tolerated. You pay for modeling, which takes 1 to 2 hours. The freelancer is not always inclined to give you an extra hour for free if the modeling isn’t up to scratch.
3D modeling pricing: cheaper offshore
A 3D modeler’s rates generally depend on his or her experience, whether he or she is self-employed or works for an agency, and also on his or her geographical location. At Studio 3D, we combine all these advantages to offer a quality service:
- Our 3D modelers have over 5 years’ experience, so they can meet the most demanding requirements,
- They work within our agency, enjoying social benefits and a pleasant working environment,
- Our location in Tunisia enables us to offer very competitive 3D modeling prices.
3D high poly modeling pricing for furnishings
Creating photorealistic 3D visuals for furniture is our passion. It requires a twofold technical skill: the finest possible modeling of the furniture and the design of a scene adapted to the style of the item to be sublimated.
At Studio 3D, we separate the price of 3D modeling from that of staging. This is because the customer can provide his own modeling (a STEP file, for example), or he can choose to reuse the same staging for several items.
Our prices obviously vary according to the complexity of the object.
Here are our transparent prices:
Low-poly modeling rates for Augmented Reality and 3D configurators:
Popularized in particular by Ikea, Augmented Reality is becoming increasingly popular with your customers. Using a smartphone application, they can film their interior and project a piece of furniture of their choice onto it. They can then visualize in real time what their interior could look like with the furniture you propose.
3D configurators let you customize furniture by choosing color, texture and even shape. Once again, this is a powerful marketing tool that delivers a highly appreciated customer experience.
In both cases, the software requires a low-poly 3D model. Without going into too much detail, 3D modeling is based on a mesh of polygons which, in the end, faithfully reproduces the object. When modeling, no attention is paid to the number of polygons: the more there are, the more similar the model will be, but the heavier the final file will be, and the more difficult it will be for the software to handle.
This is where low-poly modeling comes in. This involves “purifying” high-poly modeling by reducing the number of polygons without compromising the final result. For example, for a complex sofa initially made up of 46,000 polygons, the aim is to reduce their number to 8,000.
This painstaking work takes time: the model must be built in high poly and then transformed into low poly.
Price of 3D modeling for real estate
3D modeling prices for real estate depends on the complexity of the work required.
The real estate sector requires modeling in a number of different areas. The most obvious is the construction of the space to be visualized. Whether for an interior or exterior architectural perspective, 3D modeling plays a crucial role.
Here, the price of 3D modeling is no longer a lump sum, but is billed by the time spent. Indeed, reproducing a small space such as a bedroom or living room won’t take as much time as modeling a highly complex space such as the facade of a building.
At Studio 3D, plans are reproduced by an architect specialized in architectural modeling.
Other types of 3D modeling
3D character modeling for animation
Video games and cinematic animation are fond of highly realistic characters. Character creation requires special techniques and skill.
3D printing
Modeling and creating files for 3D printing requires know-how and software not yet mastered by Le Studio 3D. We can therefore not yet offer you a price for 3D modeling for printing.
Prototyping and CAD
For industrial needs such as prototyping or computer-aided design, 3D modeling has a fundamental role to play.
This meticulous work requires a great deal of back and forth, and usually a presence at the customer’s premises is necessary to fully understand the customer’s needs. Le Studio 3D therefore does not offer this service.
