CLIENT
Whatmough Audio
YEAR
2016
Whatmough Audio engaged Whistle to help produce photo-realistic renders for their upcoming S15 Signature Series speakers. Having typically turned to photography, Whatmough required photographic images earlier in the process for marketing purposes before production of the speakers was complete.
Below we go through a quick overview of the process we use to build photo-realistic imagery for most products. Some of the benefits to our clients include:
- Ability to have images of finished products before production is complete
- Easily have products shown in multiple colourways
- Changes can easily be made without the need for costly reshoots, and
- Overall cost can be significantly less than that of a professional photo-shoot.
RENDER PROCESS
1. 3D MODEL GENERATION
With simple drawings or prototypes and material samples, we use CAD to create dimensionally accurate and finely detailed 3D models. Here we replicated every panel, screw, part line, and minor surface detail, and accurately recreated the drivers and tweeters to build highly realistic models matching the features of existing speaker range.
2. SHADING AND ENVIRONMENT
We can then bring the models into our rendering software, position them as required and set up the virtual photo studio.
3. MATERIAL APPLICATION
Next we create and apply custom materials, setting colours, textures, surface finish, gloss levels and reflectivity. The realism of the materials is key to achieving a realistic final image.
4. LIGHTING AND FINISH
Just like a photoshoot, we create and tweak the lighting, fine tune material finish to suit, add in backgrounds, and set up the required cameras, even adding depth-of-field.
5. RENDER AND POST-PROCESS
Once prepared, each required image is rendered at the desired print/screen resolution, and taken into Photoshop for minor lighting, colour adjustment and any other post-processing.
One of the great benefits of this process, is the ability to easily produce images of the same product in different colours, without the need for additional samples, photography or re-shoots if a new colourway is introduced. In this instance, we produced speakers in two different finishes, Bubinga Wood, and Polished Piano Graphite (see below). Final images can be output for the client in any required format, typically .tiff, .jpg, or .psd.
