Redefining 3D Model Creation with ALL3D AI
Role
Product Designer
Year
2022
Capacity
Company
Verticals
Product Description
ALL3D.ai is a B2B platform that allows businesses to create and manage 3D assets, particularly for e-commerce and social media. It offers tools for designing virtual products, creating 3D models, and generating images and AR experiences. The platform aims to help companies reduce costs and time while improving product visualization and customer engagement.
Overview
The AI Creator is All3D's streamlined tool for instantly turning product photos into 3D assets and styled imagery. Instead of navigating complex 3D software, users simply upload a few pictures or select an existing product and let the AI generate a detailed 3D models in minutes. The feature aims at makes high‑quality 3D and marketing visuals accessible to everyone.
Problem
Creating high-quality 3D models has traditionally been a time-consuming process requiring specialized software and training. We set out to:
- Democratize 3D creation: Make 3D model generation and lifestyle image creation intuitive and accessible.
- Streamline workflows: Reduce friction so users can quickly go from idea to final output.
- Boost creativity: Empower users to experiment with different styles, angles, and environments without worrying about technical complexity.
Insights & Solution
Before diving into design, we conducted qualitative and quantitative research to uncover our users’ true needs, goals, and pain points. Here’s a summary of our key findings:
Complexity Is the Biggest Barrier:
- Observation: 78% of interviewees described current 3D workflows as “too technical” or “time‑intensive.”
- Implication: We needed an interface that abstracts away technical jargon and focuses on simple, visual steps.
Desire for Real‑World Context
- Observation: 68% of survey respondents wanted to see products in real-life environments (e.g., a chair in a living room).
- Implication: Integrating AI‑generated lifestyle imagery and AR previews would address this need and increase user confidence.
Speed and Iteration Matter:
- Observation: On average, users spent 4–6 hours on a single 3D mockup. They expressed frustration at long render times.
- Implication: Clear progress indicators and fast AI generation cycles became a priority to keep users engaged and productive.
User Journey
Here’s a look at the flow for shop owners and admins as they interact with the Sales Code feature:
- Accessing Sales Codes: Users open the Catalog section in Autoleap, where they now find a dedicated "Sales Codes" tab.
- Creating a New Sales Code: In this tab, admins can create a new sales code by defining a name, adding a shortcut, and selecting the item type (like labor or parts). They can then assign it to specific categories, subcategories, or individual item types, giving full control over how each code applies.
- Applying Codes to Items: Once a code is created, users can view which items it applies to. Items automatically inherit their assigned sales code based on the set classifications, making it easy for users to verify.
- Real-Time Validation & Tooltips: To ensure no conflicts, the system flags if a selected category or item type has already been assigned another code. Tooltips appear to guide users through any errors, making the process smooth and intuitive.
Visual Identity
Every visual design, was made to reinforce All3D’s promise: simple, powerful, and accessible 3D asset creation. The resulting design allows the users to go through the entire experience effortlessly. Here's a breakdown of a few key details:
- Centered Hero on AI Creator: On the AI Creator Landing, the “Upload or Choose” call‑to‑action sits centrally in a wide hero section. This immediately orients the user’s attention to the primary task and helps them getting started with asset generation.
- Two‑Column Structure on PDP: The Product Detail Page employs a classic two‑column layout. Left side shows Large 3D model viewer and lifestyle thumbnails. Right side shows product metadata, CTAs, and secondary actions. This separation ensures the 3D asset remains the visual focus, while all contextual information is easily discoverable at a glance.
- Loading & Skeleton States: Skeleton placeholders and loaders appear while product details or images are being generated. This reduces perceived wait times and reassures users that content is on its way.
- Tooltips, Validations and Error Preventions: Tooltips and validations are provided at several places for additional context to prevent users from leaving required fields empty and understanding critical information.
Final Designs
After multiple rounds of user testing and iteration, the final design aims at creating a balance between simplicity and power. Clean layouts, clear calls to action, and thoughtful feedback states guide users effortlessly through the process. The result is a feature that feels approachable for beginners yet flexible enough for pros who want more control. Looking ahead, the team is excited to explore further customization options like scene editing, lightning presets and collaborative editing. But as it stands, this AI Creator feature is a big step toward democratizing 3D content creation for everyone.
Reflection And Results
What would I have done differently?
1. Engaging users early in the design process could provide valuable insights that might refine the problem statement and design direction.
2. Expanding the research to include a wider range of industries and company sizes could uncover diverse needs and expectations, leading to a more versatile platform.
3. Implementing more frequent cycles of usability testing throughout the design process could help identify and address issues sooner, reducing the need for major changes later on.
What did I find challenging?
1. Creating a user-friendly interface that also offers comprehensive features was a delicate balance to maintain.
2. Ensuring seamless integration with tools like Slack required careful consideration of different workflows and user habits.
3. Overcoming initial resistance to adopting a new platform is always challenging, especially when it involves changing established workplace behaviors.