Automakers understood a long time ago that configurators are very important. That's why any reputable brand has one now. People can spend time designing their favorite vehicles, choosing options, playing with various looks, and ultimately deciding on a spec before entering the showroom. It's a great way to allow prospective customers to interact with the brand's products. But what if you want to change the look of your current car with a wrap? Well, now there's a simple solution available.
Designing and shipping a great platform where people can see a car in 3D is challenging, even though technology has advanced. Besides requiring a lot of money to get it going, making it behave properly for anyone interested is also problematic. You might make it work but discover it does not load fast enough. It might require a boatload of hardware to put everything in motion. Not everyone has a powerful laptop or PC. Besides, people surf the web on various devices. Thus, the product must fit perfectly on multiple screen sizes and adapt to the user's device capabilities.
While manufacturers with lots of funds and many employees have found creative ways to let us digitally play with their cars (most notably, Ferrari), independent shops that deal with car wraps still have a hard time doing so. It isn't very easy to 3D scan a car, upload it, and make it available for all sorts of modifications.
Fortunately, someone found a simple solution that just works. These developers have used 3D sketches of popular vehicles already available online that were originally intended for game developers and put together a visualizer that lets you play with various fits and finishes. Wraps can be matte, satin, chrome, gloss, textured, feature special effects, and even be customized precisely as the customer wishes – for a price, of course.
We chose a Tesla Model X and the Ultra Gloss Paint Metallic Bright Green wrap. Albeit a bit tacky, it does give this all-electric SUV a different, almost empowering presence. Everyone will notice it, especially since it will reflect light well.
The 3D model of the vehicle shown on the platform doesn't look incredibly sharp, but everything loads fast and works well on various devices. When time is of the essence, making sure a prospective customer can decide in advance on at least a couple of color options can be vital.
Photo: Aura Vinyl
We played with the lighting and ultimately decided that Gloss Iridescent Miami Blue would look best for this Tesla. After all, it's summer, and the Florida-inspired look just feels right.
The platform's creators anticipated that some people might want to see their wrap of choice in real-life scenarios and have included some great shots that allow you to go beyond the virtual experience. But they often contain other models, so don't expect your vehicle of choice to be in that gallery.
Similarly, be aware that a limited number of vehicles are available for online customization right now. The creators plan to add more as 3D models of various units become available, but at the time of writing, only 22 cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are online.
Finally, don't forget that car wraps aren't necessarily just for showing off. They are a great way to protect the vehicle's paint, especially if it's expensive. Minor scratches, corrosive elements, and even rain can lead to costly issues or accelerated depreciation. Choose the right wrap, and don't skimp on quality materials.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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