Creating 3D Product Videos From Your iPhone: Is Doly the Real Deal?
Imagine effortlessly transforming a simple water bottle into a captivating 3D video, ready to showcase your product’s every angle and detail. This is now possible thanks to Doly, a new iOS app that promises to revolutionize how we see and experience products in the digital realm. Developed by the French startup AniML, Doly uses advanced 3D rendering technology powered by Gaussian splatting, enabling users to create high-quality videos from just a few scans taken with their iPhone. But is this the future of product visualization, or just another fleeting trend? Let’s dive deeper into what makes Doly tick and see if it truly delivers on its promises.
Doly App Features: The Power of Gaussian Splatting
The world of 3D rendering has been buzzing with Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) technology, which leverages artificial neural networks to reconstruct and render 3D scenes from 2D images. However, Doly sets itself apart by adopting Gaussian splatting, another powerful technique for generating intricate 3D models. This approach involves representing the object as a collection of "splat" points, each with its own properties like color, intensity, and position, ultimately creating a smooth and detailed 3D representation.
While the app appears intuitive and promising, our tests revealed some limitations. The scanning process, although guided, can be quite lengthy, requiring multiple attempts for accurate object capture. Additionally, video rendering takes about an hour, which can be a significant waiting period for impatient users.
Our initial results also highlighted visual imperfections, with visible polygons and less than stellar quality in the rendered video. This could potentially be attributed to lighting conditions during our indoor scan, underscoring the importance of optimal lighting for achieving the best results.
Who is Doly for? Reaching Out to Businesses and Beyond
Doly’s target audience is an exciting blend of individuals and businesses eager to utilize 3D product videos for marketing, design, and e-commerce purposes. Think of e-commerce store owners, small businesses, marketing professionals, and product designers: all potential beneficiaries of Doly’s capabilities.
However, unlocking the full potential of the app comes at a price. While the first video download is free, subsequent creations require a Doly Plus subscription priced at Rs. 2,999 per month or Rs. 24,900 annually. This subscription offers 40 product videos each month, alongside exclusive video templates.
How to Create 3D Product Videos on Doly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Doly’s user-friendly interface guides you through every step of creating 3D product videos. The process is relatively straightforward, even for beginners. Here’s a breakdown tailored for ease of understanding:
- Download and install Doly: Make sure you have an iPhone 11 or later, as this is the minimum requirement for compatibility.
- Sign Up and Access: Open the app and create an account to unlock its features.
- The Quick 180-degree Video: Start by creating a quick 180-degree video, a necessary step before you can generate detailed videos.
- Let the App See Your Product: Grant the app access to your iPhone’s camera, allowing it to capture images of your product.
- Rotating for Perfection: The app will guide you in rotating your phone around the product, taking still images. This is crucial for creating the 3D model.
- Capture the Product’s Form: Next, record a video of your product by moving your phone around it, following the app’s instructions. Ensure a steady movement and accurate positioning to ensure the best results.
- Fine-Tuning the Details: The app will display highlight images of your product. You need to resize them appropriately to accommodate the entire object.
- Choose Your Scene: Finally, pick a background for your video. This stage allows you to add context and visual interest to your 3D product.
- Wait for the Magic: Doly will now go to work, rendering your 3D product video. Be patient; it might take some time.
Doly’s Potential: Transforming the Product Visualization Landscape
Doly presents a promising vision for the future of product visualization. Imagine creating captivating visuals for e-commerce platforms, seamlessly showcasing products to potential customers from every angle. Businesses of all sizes could benefit from the ease of use and affordability that Doly offers, enhancing their marketing and branding efforts.
However, it’s important to recognize that Doly is still in its early stages, and certain aspects require further refinement. The rendering time, while a minor inconvenience for some, can be a hurdle for those seeking fast turnaround times. Addressing the visual imperfections in the rendered videos is also essential to ensure truly high-quality output.
Conclusion: Doly is Compelling, But…
Doly is a compelling tool for anyone seeking to create engaging 3D product videos, particularly those with a limited budget. The app’s user-friendly interface and potential for high-quality rendering make it a powerful force in the evolving landscape of product visualization. However, as with any nascent technology, Doly faces the challenge of perfecting its processes and refining its capabilities.
As Doly continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how its technology improves, addressing the current limitations and pushing the boundaries of product visualization even further. Whether it becomes the industry standard or a niche player remains to be seen, but its potential to revolutionize the way we showcase products is undeniable.
