Choosing configurator software
How to choose 3D product configurator software.
3D product configurator software comes in three kinds: do-it-yourself customizer apps, configurator platforms you set up yourself, and done-for-you services that build your 3D models and run the configurator for you. We're the third kind. Here's how they compare, and what ours costs.
3D product configurator software
The three kinds, and what drives the cost.
Do-it-yourself customizer apps
These are the cheapest option and suit simple products. Customers usually add text or swap colors on a photo, and you set everything up yourself, including any 3D models.
Configurator platforms
These give you a 3D editor and a viewer to put on your site. They're flexible, but the 3D models are often a separate project, and after setup the work of keeping it current is mostly yours.
Done-for-you configurators
A team models your products, builds the configurator around how you sell, and keeps it running. You pay more up front than for an app, and in return you don't need a 3D modeler or a developer on staff.
What drives the cost
The biggest cost is the 3D models: how many products you sell and how many parts need to move or change size. Pricing rules and the way you take payment come next. A Starter build with up to 3 3D models is $3,500 once, then $100 a month. A Standard build with up to 5 models is $4,500 once, then $150 a month, and each extra model is $500.
Quality
Built to a higher standard than off-the-shelf 3D configurators.
We built our own 3D engine for made-to-order products, and we model every product by hand from your designs. The result looks and works like your real product, not like a template with your logo on it. Try any 3D configurator on this page and compare it with others you've seen.
| Do-it-yourself customizer apps | Typical 3D configurator platforms | Our 3D configurators | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who makes the 3D models | You do, or you hire a 3D modeler. | Often a separate project, quoted on top. | We do. We build every model from your designs, and your first 3 to 5 are included in the price. |
| Parts that move, like doors, beds and seats | Rarely. | Sometimes, as an extra. | Yes. They're modeled to work like the real thing. |
| Exact, made-to-measure sizes | Usually a few fixed sizes. | Varies by platform. | Yes. The model rebuilds itself for any size you allow. |
| Realistic materials and lighting | Basic. | Varies. | Your real materials, with lighting, shadows and reflections. |
| Works well on a phone | Varies. | Often designed for a desktop screen first. | Designed for phones from the start. |
| Fees on your sales | Often 1–2% of every sale. | Varies. | None. You pay a flat monthly plan. |
| Who sets it up and keeps it current | You do. | Their team sets it up, then it's mostly up to you. | We do. We set it up, host it and keep it working, and you edit prices and options yourself. |
Who makes the 3D models
Our 3D configuratorsWe do. We build every model from your designs, and your first 3 to 5 are included in the price.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsYou do, or you hire a 3D modeler.
Typical 3D configurator platformsOften a separate project, quoted on top.
Parts that move, like doors, beds and seats
Our 3D configuratorsYes. They're modeled to work like the real thing.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsRarely.
Typical 3D configurator platformsSometimes, as an extra.
Exact, made-to-measure sizes
Our 3D configuratorsYes. The model rebuilds itself for any size you allow.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsUsually a few fixed sizes.
Typical 3D configurator platformsVaries by platform.
Realistic materials and lighting
Our 3D configuratorsYour real materials, with lighting, shadows and reflections.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsBasic.
Typical 3D configurator platformsVaries.
Works well on a phone
Our 3D configuratorsDesigned for phones from the start.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsVaries.
Typical 3D configurator platformsOften designed for a desktop screen first.
Fees on your sales
Our 3D configuratorsNone. You pay a flat monthly plan.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsOften 1–2% of every sale.
Typical 3D configurator platformsVaries.
Who sets it up and keeps it current
Our 3D configuratorsWe do. We set it up, host it and keep it working, and you edit prices and options yourself.
Do-it-yourself customizer appsYou do.
Typical 3D configurator platformsTheir team sets it up, then it's mostly up to you.
How it works
Creating a 3D configurator tailored to your business typically takes four to eight weeks.
You send your products
Send us photos, drawings or CAD files, along with every option, size and price rule. A 15-minute call is enough to get started.
We model them in 3D
We build each product to your measurements with your materials. Parts that move in real life, like doors, beds and seats, move in the model too.
We build your 3D configurator
We set up your options, pricing rules and branding on your site, with a checkout that works the way you sell.
You approve, and we launch
You try it on a private link and ask for changes, then it goes live. After launch, we host it, keep it secure and fix anything that breaks.
Questions
What shops ask us first.
How much does a 3D product configurator cost?
It depends mostly on how many products need 3D models and how complex they are. With us, Starter is $3,500 once with up to 3 models included, then $100 a month. Standard is $4,500 once with up to 5 models, then $150 a month. Each extra model is $500.
Is there a free 3D product configurator?
Some customizer apps have free plans for simple changes, like adding text or swapping colors on a photo. Free tools rarely include building 3D models of your products, which is usually the biggest part of the job.
Should we build our own configurator with three.js?
You can if you have a developer with 3D experience and time to maintain it. Most of the work is in the 3D models, the pricing rules, making it fast on phones and keeping it working as browsers change, which is why most shops buy one instead.
Are our products too custom for a 3D configurator?
That's why we model your products instead of using a template. The tank demo places fittings to the inch, and the van demo folds a couch into a bed. If you can imagine it, we can build it in 3D.
Are the 3D models included?
Yes. Starter includes 3D models of up to 3 of your products and Standard up to 5. A model is one product, style or part, like a shed style, a pool shape or a van galley. Each model after that is $500. Every model is built from your actual products and set up so code can control it, with each door, panel and finish as a separate, labeled part, and you own the models.
We already have 3D models. Can you use them?
Send them to us and we'll take a look. Models made for renderings usually need rework before a builder can control them, but if yours are built well enough to use, we'll use them, and they won't count toward the models your plan includes.
Do I need Shopify?
No. The 3D configurator embeds into any website, including WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow and custom sites. On those, customers send a quote request, and with Standard they can also pay a deposit or in full through Stripe. If you do use Shopify, Starter adds the builder to your current store and Standard rebuilds your store on Shopify.
Can I change prices myself?
Yes. You can edit prices, option names and lead times, and turn options on or off, at any time. Adding new 3D parts is a small project that we quote up front.
How long does it take?
Most builders launch in four to eight weeks, depending on how many products we model.
What does the monthly plan cover?
It covers hosting, security, the software that runs your 3D configurator, and fixing anything that breaks, including keeping it working as Shopify and web browsers change. You can change prices, option names and lead times yourself at any time. If you want new options, 3D parts or products added, we quote that work before we start.
What if I cancel?
You can cancel with 30 days' notice. You keep your content and the 3D models of your products, and the builder itself, which is licensed through the monthly plan, goes offline.
See your own products in a 3D configurator.
Bring a few photos of your products and your price list to a 15-minute call. We'll show you what your 3D configurator would look like and what it would cost.