In a fascinating discussion about the evolution of 3D technology, Julius Harling, the founder of Graswald.ai, takes us through his unexpected journey from a high school student in Germany to a pioneer in making 3D technology more accessible. Initially in 2016, Julius started with an add-on for Blender and 3D assets, aimed at simplifying the process of building 3D environments. To his surprise, the solution was an instant hit. This success sparked a deeper interest, leading him to explore the field more seriously after graduating from high school.
Interestingly, Julius almost pursued a career in classical music as an opera singer, but the allure of 3D technology won out. He was driven by a passion for creating something that not only looked cool but could also be widely used by others to create even more impressive projects. This vision has been a constant motivator throughout his journey.
A significant shift in his approach came with the realization that 3D tools needed to be more accessible. Traditional desktop applications like Blender, while powerful, required extensive technical knowledge and a steep learning curve. This led to the development of a browser-based tool, aimed at a broader audience with simpler needs. The goal was to create a tool that didn't require users to become 3D artists just to get started.
The conversation took an intriguing turn when the topic of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) was introduced. Radiance fields, including NeRFs and Gaussian Splatting have revolutionized the field by simplifying the creation of high-quality 3D content without the need for complex shader setups and physics simulations.
Graswald is a 3D product visualization platform using Gaussian Splatting, aimed primarily at the Ecommerce industry to offer hyper realistic detail at a fraction of current time and cost.
The development of Graswald was driven by a desire to overcome the limitations of existing tools. While Julius has a deep appreciation for Blender and the open-source community, he recognized that using Blender required a significant investment of time and effort. Graswald aims to be a simpler, more accessible solution that can address many common use cases without the need for extensive training or setup.
Graswald simplifies the process by allowing users to take a video of their object and send it to the team. They run it through their pipeline, and users receive a customizable viewer that can be embedded on any website. This viewer works on any device and requires minimal setup, making it ideal for businesses with large catalogs that need to automate the process.
The most powerful experience for ecommerce shoppers is the ability to actually feel like the product is in their hands. How do you set the most accurate information for a shopper to really understand what they are buying? This of course leads directly to informed decision making and confident purchases, with lower refund rates, benefitting not only the customer, but the environment too. All of this benefits brands, who see larger average cart size, lower return rates, and evangelists about their product.
Looking to the future, Julius envisions a significant impact of 3D technology on e-commerce and retail. He believes that the most powerful retail experiences come from users being able to fully understand a product, leading to more informed and confident purchase decisions. Technologies like radiance fields can bridge the gap between 3D models and real products, offering realistic, interactive experiences that enhance the shopping experience.
However, there are still limitations to overcome with radiance fields, such as the static nature of the models and the challenges of capturing high-quality data. Despite these hurdles, Julius is optimistic about the potential for mass adoption and believes that ongoing advancements will address these issues.
For those interested in partnering with Graswald, the process is straightforward. Businesses can simply book a demo with the Graswald team, who will guide them through the setup and integration. This ease of use, combined with the high-quality visual experience provided by Graswald, makes it an attractive solution for a wide range of industries.
The team at Graswald currently has an open position for a Senior Computer Graphics Engineer. Julius emphasized the importance of their user base and community in shaping and improving their solutions. They are committed to building a product that not only solves problems but also excites and inspires users.
As the conversation wrapped up, Julius reflected on the broader implications of 3D technology in digital environments. He foresees a future where 3D becomes as integrated and expected as images and videos are today, especially with the rise of mixed reality devices. This seamless integration will create more natural and informative digital experiences, merging 2D and 3D information in ways that enhance our interaction with the digital world.
For those looking to stay updated or get in touch, Julius is active on LinkedIn and welcomes inquiries via email. His journey and insights offer a compelling glimpse into the future of 3D technology and its potential to transform industries and everyday experiences.
