LL CRE Reviews – Snaploader, The Best Interactive 3D Tours of Real Estate
Our clients and prospecting tenants often have a difficult time visualizing a space based on a 2D plan. We normally solve this issue by making video tours a standard part of most of our listings (check our video tour examples here!), or Matterport interactive tours for more complicated properties. But what do we do when the space is in shell condition (when a space is unfinished) or if the space is cluttered and unpresentable? How about for the retailer or restaurateur who wants to see their brand in the space before making an offer? What if the property doesn’t even exist?
In these cases, we like turning to Snaploader, a company out of Australia that builds and hosts interactive 3D models; they can create models from static 2D architectural floor plans, but they are also capable of importing existing 3D models into their proprietary interface. Our team referred a prospective retail tenant to Snaploader, who create a “hypothetical” restaurant build out in one of our retail lease listings. Snaploader was able to fill the shell space with restaurant furnishings according to the client’s specifications, reducing the need for the client to hire an architect. Turnaround time for the project was very quick too, taking only 2-3 days for this example.
Snaploader was able to design and model a restaurant based on a potential tenant’s direction.
This is just one of many ways the platform can be used. Snaploader can create single suites to full floors to whole building 3D models (as large as trophy class skyscrapers!). Though we haven’t tried it on a project of that scale (our specialty is in small to mid-cap assets), the examples that we’ve seen were very impressive.
The platform is capable of fully detailed renderings
It’s possible to model the full building in Snaploader, giving viewers a visual of the building’s identity in relation to the neighborhood.
Throughout our partnership with Snaploader, the team, led by their CEO Eric Fink, has continually updated the platform with new features, most recently adding a very Matterport/Google Streetview-esque click through touring option of their 3D models. Snaploader has also long supported user-placeable furniture, walls, doors, and other architectural features; the platform allows users to save their design for later viewing. The interface feels a lot like playing a game of “The Sims” and can be rather addicting… Try it out yourself.
A rather addicting and fun game... ahem… tool is Snaploader’s “Add Furniture” feature, which allows you to be the interior architect and build your dream space.
The platform has come a long way since we’ve started using it three years ago. While there are still some kinks and performance issues to work out (it makes my latest gen Core i7 Dell laptop with dedicated graphics gasp for air), the platform has certainly proven its worth to our team and we expect to continue to work with them on many more projects to come.
Overview
Pros
Clean and intuitive interface.
Models do a great job “telling the story”. Options for highly detailed models are possible
Extremely flexible platform – the team has delivered on nearly all our requests.
User-placeable furniture/fixtures/walls.
Ability to share links to clients and embed models into just about any website
Snaploader team turns around work quickly, excellent communication and service.
Fits all types of marketing budgets, economically feasible for small class C space to large trophy class skyscrapers.
Cons
Western markets may find it a little difficult to work with a firm in Australia (hasn’t been a problem for us yet though!).
Camera panning feature when touring a model has inverted controls compared to industry standards.
Models take quite a bit of computer resources to render.
Does LL CRE recommend this product? Yes
Visit the Snaploader website: www.snaploader.com