Production notes
What to send for a 3D render.The checklist before the brief.
An accurate product render starts with the right files. The more complete the package at the start, the fewer feedback rounds and the more precise the quote.
In short: send the product’s 3D or CAD file (STEP if possible, or the native file), photos or a sample, color references, vector logos, then the intended use, formats and delivery date. Without a CAD file, the product is modeled from drawings and photos, which takes longer.
What I offer: I check your files as soon as they arrive, flag what’s missing, and you approve previews before the final render.
The brief checklist
| Item | Why | Essential / Useful |
|---|---|---|
| CAD or 3D file (STEP, IGES, native, OBJ, FBX) | Skips modeling and guarantees the proportions | Essential, or dimensioned drawings |
| Dimensioned drawings or measurements | The basis for modeling when there’s no file | Essential without a CAD file |
| Reference photos | Show materials, reflections, details | Essential |
| Physical sample | Settle doubts about a finish or texture | Useful |
| Color codes (Pantone, RAL…) | Set the expected shade | Essential |
| Vector logos (SVG, AI, PDF, EPS) | Stay sharp at any size | Essential if the product has a logo |
| Flat labels and textures | Applied as is to the model | Useful |
| Usage, formats, number of views | Set resolution, framing and the quote | Essential |
| Mood references and timeline | Guide lighting, set and schedule | Essential |
The product’s 3D or CAD file
STEP and IGES are neutral formats for exchanging data between CAD programs. STEP is an ISO standard (ISO 10303); IGES hasn’t been updated since version 5.3 in 1996. If your engineering team can export STEP, it’s the safest choice.
Native files, such as SolidWorks or CATIA V5, also open directly in Cinema 4D. 3D formats like OBJ or FBX work when the model already comes from a 3D program.
On import, CAD geometry is converted into polygons. A clean file, with parts separated and named, makes assigning materials faster.
With an OBJ, include the .mtl file and the texture images: they’re stored separately and need to travel with the model.
Without a CAD file
No file? The product can be modeled from dimensioned drawings and photos. It takes longer, and it’s often what changes the quote the most.
The most useful photos are sharp, taken from the front, side, top and back, with an object of known size or the measurements noted alongside.
A physical sample helps settle doubts about a finish, a grain or a color that’s hard to judge on screen.
Colors, logos and labels
Give precise color references: Pantone, RAL or your brand’s own values. A color described in words leaves too much room for interpretation.
Logos should be vector files (SVG, AI, PDF or EPS) so they stay sharp in close-ups. Labels and patterns are best sent flat, ideally as their print file.
Also specify the finish of each material: matte, satin, gloss, brushed, transparent.
Usage, formats and timeline
Say where the images will run: website, e-commerce listing, social media, print. Print needs a higher resolution, which lengthens rendering.
List the number of views, the aspect ratios and the background: neutral, transparent or a set. For an animation, give the duration and delivery format.
Give the delivery date and your own approval dates. A packshot can be delivered in a few days; a full CGI project takes 2 to 6 weeks on average.
How I receive and check your files
I open your files in Cinema 4D as soon as they arrive and check the parts, the proportions and anything missing. I let you know before quoting or starting.
You approve previews before the final render: geometry, materials, lighting. I deliver high-resolution PNGs, with a transparent background on request, and MP4 or PNG sequences for animations.
Your files stay confidential: an NDA is possible depending on the contract, including for an unannounced product. Source files aren’t included automatically: add them to the quote if needed.
Where this information comes from
Formats opened by Cinema 4D and conversion to polygons: Maxon’s online help, the Cinema 4D 2027 “CAD Import” page, and Maxon’s “Supported File Formats” page, read on 26 October 2026.
STEP (ISO 10303-21): Library of Congress format description. IGES and the OBJ .mtl file: Wikipedia articles “IGES” and “Wavefront .obj file”. Read on 26 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which CAD format should I send?
STEP is the safest. Native SolidWorks or CATIA V5 files and IGES also open; when in doubt, send the native file plus a STEP.
Can you render a product without a CAD file?
Yes. The product is modeled from dimensioned drawings and photos. It takes longer, so the quote is higher.
Do I need to send the physical product?
It isn’t required. A sample is still useful to judge a finish, a texture or a color.
Do my files stay confidential?
Yes. An NDA is possible depending on the contract, including for an unannounced product.
