The Challenge
For Paradigm’s R&D and asset teams, the primary hurdle was visual fidelity. In the construction supply chain, textures must be perfect. High-gloss tiles, in particular, presented a significant technical challenge because their reflectivity varies drastically between the tile surface and the grout. Before echo3D, Paradigm’s workflow was fragmented and slow:
- The Limitation: Teams managed assets in simple cloud storage, where each entry consisted of an FBX model, a static "answer image," and a Unity package.
- Constant Rework: Artists had to adjust textures externally, upload them to the visualizer, and repeat the process until the lighting looked right. This cycle often cost 12 to 14 hours per asset.
- QA Friction: Teams struggled with a feedback loop that relied on static JPEGs, which failed to represent how materials reacted to light in a real-world environment.
The Solution
Paradigm moved their 3D infrastructure to echo3D to create a "Live Visualization" hub that bridges the gap between their DAM and the final user experience.
1. Real-Time Lighting & Texture Mastery
With echo3D, Paradigm can now visualize 3D models with appropriate lighting directly in the cloud. This is critical for their high-gloss products. The team can now see exactly how reflections hit the tile versus the grout in real-time. According to the team, the results now "look exactly as we’re looking for."
2. Inspired Product Expansion: 3D Countertops
The flexibility of the echo3D platform inspired Paradigm to expand their digital catalog to include 3D countertops, providing a richer, more tactile preview for builders and homeowners that wasn't possible with their previous static setup.
3. Advanced Organization & Security
Paradigm transitioned from the open-access model of simple cloud storage to echo3D’s structured environment:
- Hierarchical Collections: Assets are organized into broad categories (Tiles, Flooring, Lighting) with nested folders for subcategories.
- Granular Permissions: Teams can now set access permissions at the collection level, ensuring better security and role management for the different departments.
- Bulk Efficiency: The team utilized echo3D’s multi-select and bulk-move features to organize their library, a process that was significantly slower in their previous workflow.
The Results
- Drastic Time Savings: By eliminating the "adjust-upload-repeat" cycle, Paradigm has significantly reduced the 12–14 hours previously required for complex assets.
- Enhanced QA: Teams can perform QA on live 3D models rather than static images, reducing artist rework and ensuring 100% visual accuracy.
- Competitive Advantage: Paradigm now offers builders richer, more accurate product previews directly from their management platform, setting a new bar for digital twins in the construction industry.
