3D Data Visualization of Spare Parts- across all platforms, without Plug-ins!

Published: 2021-03-12 Updated: 2023-11-15

You have already integrated 3D data into your digital spare parts catalog or service information system, but you are still using plug-ins and you are limited to specific browsers and operating systems to display the 3D models? Or are you thinking about integrating 3D data into your spare parts catalog and you need to use it on tablets or smartphones? Then check out the possibilities of a browser- and platform-independent display of your 3D data now!

3D Visualization of Spare Parts Catalogs without Plug-in

To show 3D models on the web without additional effort or extensions, the web standard WebGL (Web Graphics Library) has become established. WebGL is supported by all modern browsers and enables the rendering of interactive 3D and 2D graphics without additional plug-ins. Our tool set uses WebGL to display your 3D graphics in the digital spare parts catalog and service information system. This allows you to view your 3D data on all devices: smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC, HMI (Human Machine Interface) - regardless of operating system and browser.

Would you like to learn more about how to automatically create 3D spare parts catalogs or 2D derivations from your existing 3D models from the CAD system?

Benefits of 3D Visualization across Platforms

1. Excellent usability

Customers, service technicians and other end users of your digital spare parts catalog and service information system benefit from the platform-independent display of 3D data based on WebGL with extensive, intuitive interaction options: 3D models and their components can be panned and rotated, parts can be shown and hidden, displayed transparently, focused, and zoomed in.

In addition, a view into the interior of an assembly is possible - a great advantage compared to conventional 2D illustrations. And best of all, your users can use the 3D catalog anytime, anywhere, and with any device.

 

2. Short loading times

In the automated creation process, your 3D graphics are converted and compressed. This drastically reduces the file size, which results in fast loading times in the digital catalog.

 

3. High level of information

3D models and parts list data are linked in the spare parts catalog or service information system. When a part is selected from the parts list, it is automatically highlighted in the 3D model and vice versa. This means that related information is visible immediately with a single mouse click, and the time spent searching for the required information is significantly reduced.

 

4. Improved efficiency

The natural representation of 3D parts also helps your service technicians and customers correctly identify the spare parts they need, reducing errors and increasing overall efficiency. Simple 3D animations in the catalog serve as interactive installation or repair instructions. They help your service and maintenance technicians install the spare part or perform a maintenance task, which in turn reduces your service times.

 

5. Extensive protection

Your 3D data is extensively protected thanks to access restriction, distortion, and metadata cleansing. You can find more information about the topic of security in the 3D spare parts catalog in our blog post "Security in 3D spare parts catalogs - 4 key principles".