Process of Creating 3D and 2D Medical Devices
The process is to take the CAD file which can only be provided by the client or business owner of the medical device. The process involves the 3D artist using specific programs in order to create a render using the exact dimensions within the CAD file to produce a hyper realistic 3D or 2D illustration. It is the skills of the 3D artist that makes all this happen. The computer does not do the work, moreover, the artist is involved in each detail. For example the artistic process involves choosing and adding the external materials such as rubber, ceramic and metals which all have different reflective qualities and the artist needs to understand how lights acts on a surface, much the same as a 2D artist.
As well as choosing the correct colour for the materials the artist defines the simulated natural light sources and materials used to create any type of surface and to create the most realistic renders possible. It takes many years of training and many years of working, to perfect the skills and to become good at the craft. Its not possible to simply ‘use’ a computer to create an illustration!
If computer generated CAD files are not available, we can still create 3D visualisation’s by taking the time to create the CAD files from the technical drawings, allowing us to go on and complete the 3D visualisation’s. If the technical drawings are not available and therefore no CAD either, we are still able to create a 3D render but it would not have the hyper realism that 3D programmes can produce.
3D Medical Devices and Visuals Services
Medical device created from a CAD file into a 3D animation format
In order to create medical devices as a 3D medical visualisation we use what are called CAD or Computer Aided Design files. CAD is the computer technology used by technical designers to document the design process of a medical device or a product. The CAD file is the resulting file that contains the exact design specifications.
By using the CAD files of the medical device and its design we are able to access the precise detailed diagrams of the materials, processes, tolerances and dimensions with specific conventions of the product or device in question. With this information we can produce either 2D two-dimensional or 3D three-dimensional diagrams, as hyper realistic renderings. The 3D versions are interactive and can be rotated or viewed from any angle on screen and their internal structure viewed.
3D Interactive Model from a CAD File
3D renders from CAD files produce hyper realistic animations of the medical device. Interactive 3D models from CAD files are the ultimate way to market or demonstrate how a medical device looks and works. They are created so that they can be used within medical communications as a marketing, promotional, training and a sales tool. These interactive graphics are touch-enabled/ 3D renders that are capable of being displayed on a web browser supported by HTML5. The content can be moved using mouse or finger on touch-enabled devices such as an iBook, which does not require a browser plugin to make the render work.
2D Illustration Model from a CAD File
2D renders from CAD files produce hyper realistic illustrations of the medical device. The 2D renderings or illustrations are used instead of a photograph as they can be manipulated to show an exact surface replica or internal structure. The illustration can be better than a photograph as the lighting, materials, setting can be altered exactly in production. Also, photography is useless when the device is still a prototype and has not actually been built yet. This is why the use of CAD files to produce the illustration is so effective as it brings the device to life even before its been built. They are used by our clients within medical marketing, to encourage sales of a new product or a device, to gain funding for a device that has not yet come to market, to promote a new device even been before it has been manufactured.
