The Complete Glossary of 3D Terms

A 360-Degree View is an interactive visualization that allows users to see an object or environment from all angles by rotating it or navigating around it.

Explore interiors with immersive 360° panorama views that let users look around spaces from every angle.

Learn what 3D assets are and how they accurately represent products for realistic visualization and configuration.

3D Configuration involves personalizing three-dimensional product or environmental models to meet specific needs.

A 3D configurator is a tool for customizing products in 3D, providing real-time visual feedback.

3D content includes any digital media with three-dimensional elements such as models, environments, animations, textures, and effects.

3D eCommerce integrates 3D models into online shopping, allowing customers to interact with products in a more immersive way.

3D mesh formats are file formats used to store and exchange 3D models and their associated data, including geometry, textures, and sometimes animations.

A 3D model is a digital representation of an object in three dimensions, used for visualization and simulation purposes in various industries.

3D modelling is the process of creating a three-dimensional representation of a physical object or scene using specialized software.

A 3D object is a digital representation of a physical or conceptual entity in three-dimensional space, defined by its geometry, texture, and other properties.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects by building them layer by layer from a digital model.

A 3D product configurator is a tool for customizing products in 3D, providing real-time visual feedback.

An interactive 3D product display allows customers to explore and engage with products in a fully immersive way.

Rendering is the process of generating a 2D image or animation from a 3D model using computer software. I

3D rendering is the creation of 2D images or animations from 3D scenes, vital for visualizing designs and creating digital content.

Visualize room layouts with 3D planning software for furniture placement, décor, and efficient space design before purchase.

The 3DS format is a file format used by Autodesk's 3D Studio software for representing 3D models and scenes.

A 3D scene is a digital representation of a three-dimensional environment composed of objects, textures, lighting, and other elements.

3D visualization is the creation of three-dimensional representations for various purposes, such as design, simulation, and communication.

An Accessory Slot defines the placement of the accessory on the item and any item can have 0-any accessory slots.

3D animations are sequences of computer-generated images that simulate motion, interactions, and environments using 3D models and CGI techniques.

Learn how APIs connect software systems to enable seamless data exchange, integrations, and automation.

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that adds digital elements, like images or information, onto the real world using various devices.

The back-end is the server-side of a software application, handling data processing, storage, and business logic

The Bill of Materials (BOM) is a detailed list of components needed for product manufacturing. It guides production, inventory, and procurement processes.

In 3D, bounding box refers to the dimensions of the 3D object in it's maximum boundaries.

CAD is computer software used to create precise 2D and 3D designs for architecture, engineering, and manufacturing.

Configuration rules are predefined guidelines that dictate how a product can be customized, ensuring valid and consistent configurations.

The coordinate system is essential in the context of 3D. For 3D, it is important to define the direction of 3 coordinate axes: x, y, z.

CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) software streamlines sales by automating product configuration, pricing, and quote generation processes.

CRM Integration connects a CRM system with other software to streamline data sharing and enhance functionality, improving efficiency and customer management.

Increase order value with cross-selling by recommending complementary products during the product customization process.

Enable customers to configure products and generate quotes online, reducing manual sales tasks and improving buying experiences.

DAE (Digital Asset Exchange) is a file format used for exchanging digital assets, including 3D models, animations, and scenes.

DWG is a proprietary file format developed by Autodesk that is used for storing 2D and 3D design data and metadata.

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other software.

Dynamic Pricing adjusts product prices in real-time based on user customizations, optimizing revenue and enhancing transparency.

Show only valid product options with dynamic configuration that updates choices based on customer selections.

Dynamic Visualization displays changing visual representations, often responding in real-time to user inputs or external factors

Boost online sales with an eCommerce configurator that lets customers personalize products in real time.

Connect your eCommerce platform with a 3D configurator to streamline workflows and improve customer experiences.

Two vertices connected together form an edge. Three or more edges connected together form a face

Environment assets are important assets for highlighting the product under configuration.

Environment in the 3D product configurator context refers to the 3D scene where the configuration happens.

ERP Integration connects your ERP with other software, like a 3D configurator, to streamline processes and unify business data.

Face is a plane defined by three or more edges connected together. The faces usually consist of triangles, quadrilaterals, or other types of polygons (n-gons).

FBX (Filmbox) is a versatile file format designed by Autodesk for sharing 3D models, animations, and digital assets.

Create clear 2D floor plans to visualize room layouts and support architecture, interior design, and space planning.

Free Placement Structure logic defines rules for the composition assembly following freedom of placement.

Create realistic room designs with a library of furniture, fixtures, and décor in VividWorks 3D visualization software.

glTF (short form of Graphics Language Transmission Format or GL Transmission Format) is a standard file format for three-dimensional scenes and models.

Improve buying decisions with guided selling that recommends products and simplifies complex configurations.

Immersive refers to an experience that deeply engages the senses, often creating a sense of presence and involvement in a virtual environment.

Interactive 3D refers to three-dimensional experiences that allow users to actively engage and interact with virtual environments or objects.

Enable customers to customize products in real time with interactive 3D configuration and instant visual feedback.

The Khronos Group is the consortium behind open standards for 3D graphics, AR, VR, and interoperability.

Design and customize lighting solutions with a 3D lighting configurator that delivers realistic visualization and easy online ordering.

Linear Structure logic defines rules for the composition assembly following "left-right" logic.

Material slot is an item that allows configuration of materials for one or more material areas of the 3D model.

Texture mapping is a method for defining high frequency detail, surface texture, or color information on a computer-generated graphic or 3D model mesh.

A 3D mesh is a digital representation of a three-dimensional object composed of vertices, edges, and faces.

Ensure CPQ software works seamlessly on mobile devices, allowing quote creation and management from anywhere.

A modular product is a type of product composed of interchangeable or detachable components or modules.

A non-modular product offers fixed components but allows customers to personalize the appearance by choosing from a selection of colors and materials.

Normals are vectors perpendicular to the surface of a 3D model at a given point. They play a crucial role in defining how light interacts with the surface.

OBJ is a standard file format for storing 3D geometry data, commonly used in 3D modeling and computer graphics applications.

An online configurator is a web-based tool that allows users to customize and personalize products or services according to their preferences and needs.

WebGL is a derived standard from OpenGL (short for Open Graphics Library).

The product tree forms a parent - child relationship tree where an item as the most left-top most as the parent and items under the item are it's childs.

Learn how Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials create realistic lighting, textures, and surface appearances in 3D.

PLY (Polygon File Format) is a file format used to store three-dimensional data, typically representing objects as collections of polygons.

Polygons are the flat, geometric shapes (usually triangles or quadrilaterals) that make up the surface of a 3D model.

Pre-built components are an important way for you to help the user to start building their dream product.

Build customer trust with real-time pricing, discounts, and transparent cost updates during product configuration.

Learn how product configurator software enables customers to personalize products while simplifying the buying process.

Product Customization is tailoring a product's features or design to meet specific customer preferences, enhancing satisfaction and personalization.

A Product Customizer is a software that empowers users to personalize products to their liking.

Product rules within the VividWorks 3D configurator are defined in few key concepts.

Learn how product variants manage different versions of a product with unique features, options, and configurations.

Automate quote approvals with CPQ workflows that improve accuracy, compliance, and faster sales processes.

Quote Management involves the process of creating, managing, and tracking price quotations for products or services offered to customers.

Streamline modular product configuration with built-in logic that ensures compatible, accurate, and efficient product designs.

Experience real-time 3D visualization that instantly updates product changes for interactive customization.

Real-time configuration refers to the ability to dynamically adjust product or service configurations instantaneously as users make selections or changes.

Real-time Pricing involves dynamically updating the cost of a product or service as users interact with the 3D model and make changes to its configuration.

3D Room Planning refers to the process of designing and visualizing interior spaces in three dimensions using specialized software or tools.

Discover how rule-based configurators simplify complex product customization while ensuring valid configurations.

Rule engine is a component of CPQ software that allows businesses to define and enforce rules governing product configuration, pricing, and quoting.

A sales configurator is a software tool designed to help companies sell customizable products more efficiently.

Ability to handle increasing volumes of quotes, users, and product configurations as business operations expand or evolve

Discover how scripting adds custom logic to automate configurations and control product behavior within 3D configurator applications.

Customize shelving and storage units with a 3D shelving configurator that delivers interactive, realistic visualizations.

SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit, which is a unique identifier assigned to each distinct product or item in inventory management.

Snapping in 3D refers to the feature in 3D modeling software that allows objects or vertices to align precisely with each other based on predefined criteria.

Design rooms with intuitive tools for creating layouts, placing walls, doors, windows, and furniture in 3D.

STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product model data) is an international standard (ISO 10303) for representing and exchanging digital product data.

STL (Stereolithography) is a file format used primarily for 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD).

Learn how tangents help define surface orientation for accurate lighting, shading, and realistic 3D rendering.

Learn what a texel is and how texture pixels help create realistic materials and surfaces in 3D product configurators.