Introduction
Gaussian splats are an emerging rendering technique that offers highly detailed, interactive 3D visualizations with a fraction of the performance cost of traditional methods. By using point-based rendering instead of polygons, this approach allows for photo-realistic digital experiences while maintaining real-time responsiveness. As industries push for more engaging digital content, Gaussian splats provide a scalable solution for web-based applications, unlocking new possibilities in marketing, configurators, and interactive storytelling.
Unlike traditional photogrammetry or mesh-based 3D models, Gaussian splats allow for seamless, high-resolution representations that are lighter and faster to render. This makes them ideal for applications where speed, realism, and interactivity are critical. As this technology gains traction, businesses are beginning to explore its potential across automotive, retail, real estate, and entertainment sectors.
What Are Gaussian Splats?
Gaussian splats represent a 3D scene using individual points with position, color, and opacity data, creating a realistic and continuous rendering without relying on heavy geometry. These points dynamically adjust based on the viewer’s perspective, mimicking real-world lighting and depth with remarkable accuracy. This method is less resource-intensive than traditional 3D models, making it ideal for web-based and real-time applications.
The generation process involves capturing multiple camera perspectives, aligning them in RealityCapture, and processing them through Monte Carlo-based algorithms to generate the splat-based representation. Unlike traditional rendering, which requires high-poly models and extensive texture work, Gaussian splats provide high-fidelity visuals with minimal computational overhead, making them a game-changer for interactive digital experiences.
Applications Across Industries
Gaussian splats are gaining traction in automotive marketing, enabling users to explore realistic vehicle renders in real-time configurators. In real estate, they offer an efficient way to create immersive virtual property tours, reducing reliance on static 360-degree images. E-commerce brands can leverage this technology to provide hyper-detailed product previews, allowing customers to inspect items from any angle before purchasing.
In entertainment and gaming, Gaussian splats are being explored for film pre-visualization, VR environments, and virtual production, offering high-quality assets without the performance limitations of traditional 3D models. Meanwhile, museums and cultural institutions are adopting this technology to create interactive digital exhibits, preserving historical artifacts in stunning, high-resolution formats.
My Experience with Gaussian Splats in Vehicle Configurators
I’ve been integrating Gaussian splats into vehicle configurators to improve the realism and efficiency of synthetic renders in Unreal Engine. They are particularly effective for interior visualization, where enclosed spaces and lighting conditions create a highly immersive experience. Unlike traditional HDRI backplates, Gaussian splats allow for interactive, photorealistic environments that users can freely navigate.
Our workflow includes capturing multiple camera angles, processing the data in RealityCapture and PostShot, and optimizing the splat output for WebGPU-based rendering. Performance has been excellent, especially on desktop and mobile, but we are still refining the approach for exterior reflections, which pose some challenges due to their dynamic lighting behavior.
Conclusion
Gaussian splats offer a fast, efficient, and photorealistic solution for interactive 3D visualization, making them an exciting alternative to traditional rendering techniques. Their potential across automotive, e-commerce, real estate, and entertainment positions them as a powerful tool for the future of digital marketing.
As the technology continues to evolve, businesses can leverage Gaussian splats to enhance user engagement, reduce rendering costs, and improve real-time experiences. With further optimization, they could soon become a standard for interactive 3D content across industries.
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