3D vs 2D Assembly Instruction Manuals- Key Differences & Best Use Cases

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Can’t figure out what to do about customers returning your products because they struggle with assembly? Tired of wasting time and money revising your products’ traditional, paper-based manuals only to get the same complaints?

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Well, the issue isn’t how your manual is written, it’s that traditional 2D manuals can only do so much when it comes to guiding customers through assembly because they rely on static images and text, making it hard to visualize complex assembly steps. 

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But that’s where 3D manuals come in. They transform cluttered diagrams and ambiguous instructions into clear, interactive visuals. 

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Instead of relying on flat diagrams, customers are able to rotate, zoom, and view all product components from any angle, making assembly a lot easier and intuitive. 

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The results? Fewer mistakes, fewer returns, better experiences, better reviews, and, of course, fewer customer support calls. 

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Does that sound like something your business could use? We thought so! That’s why, in this post, we’re going to:

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1. Discuss the differences between 3D and 2D manuals,
2. Evaluate the pros and cons of both types of manuals,
3. Share how 3D manuals could benefit your business
4. Discuss when it makes sense to use 3D manuals (versus not), and finally,
5. Share how you can get started with making 3D assembly manuals for your products!

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Lots to get into- Let’s get started!

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3D vs. 2D Assembly Instruction Manuals- What’s The Difference?

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You’re already familiar with 2D assembly manuals. They’re PDF or paper documents that provide step-by-step instructions for ready-to-assemble (RTA) or do-it-yourself (DIY) products like furniture, toys, gym equipment, and more. 

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Today, nearly every RTA or DIY product comes with some form of a 2D manual. 

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But just because they’re ubiquitous, doesn’t mean they’re without limitations. In fact, customers often find themselves lost in cluttered and complex 2D product illustrations and ambiguous text, leading them to make mistakes, or rendering them completely incapable of assembling the final product.

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Take a look at the image of a bicycle’s 2D manual below: 

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Pretty confusing, right? 

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Seems like the only way you’d be able to make sense of anything in this manual would be to study each illustration closely, compare it to the bicycle components in front of you, and hope you’re going the right way. 

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This is where 3D manuals come in. Instead of static 2D illustrations, they use accurate 3D models and animations to give you a visual walkthrough of the entire assembly process.

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Unlike 2D manuals, they don’t force you to guess what each illustration represents. Instead, they let you interact with each component of your product both collectively and individually to help you understand what goes where. 

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Take a look at this example of a bicycle’s 3D assembly manual and compare it to the 2D manual image you saw previously.

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See what we mean?

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That’s the difference between 2D and 3D manuals in a nutshell- one leaves room for guesswork, while the other provides a seamless, interactive assembly experience.

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Pros & Cons of 2D and 3D Instruction Manuals

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Enhanced visualization isn’t the only thing to consider when deciding which type of manual to create for your product. 3D and 2D manuals each come with their own unique set of advantages and drawbacks that make one of them a better choice than the other. Let’s dig deeper into that.

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Pros of 2D Product Assembly Manuals 

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Lower initial cost

Since 2D manuals don’t require specialized 3D modeling software, they have a lower initial cost compared to 3D manuals.

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More appropriate for simple assembly instructions

If your product is relatively simple to assemble, its manual probably doesn't need the advanced visual capabilities of 3D manuals- much simpler to just use illustrations in these cases.

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Do not require an internet connection

Printed or PDF manuals can be accessed by users anytime, without the need for an internet connection, this is useful in remote locations and factories where internet access is unreliable

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Do not require digital proficiency

Even though 3D manuals aren’t difficult to access or use, customers who aren’t comfortable with technology might find it difficult to navigate them. This is not the case with 2D manuals. 

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Drawbacks of 2D Product Assembly Manuals

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Difficult to navigate 

If customers want to look for a specific step in the assembly instructions for their product, they have to flip through 2D manuals to find what they’re looking for. This is a much simpler task in 3D manuals, where customers can find exactly what step they need help with instantly. 

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Difficult to interpret complex instructions 

If your product’s assembly involves complicated instructions, your customers will have a hard time figuring out what they’re supposed to do since they’ll only have flat, cluttered illustrations and detailed text to reference. 

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Easier to lose

Customers can easily misplace paper manuals, but that’s not the case with digital manuals in 3D or PDF form. 3D manuals can be accessed from any smart device, anywhere around the world.

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Less engaging

Plain text and flat images don’t engage customers with the assembly process the same way an interactive 3D manual does, where users can zoom in on and interact with individual components.

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Printing costs & environmental impact

Paper-based 2D manuals require mass printing. This has both monetary costs and a negative environmental impact. 

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Pros of 3D Product Assembly  Manuals

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3D manuals are interactive and engaging

With 3D manuals, customers can zoom into and interact with specific components of the product they’re assembling. This allows them to resolve any confusions regarding the assembly process, making for a much better user experience. With 2D manuals, customers have to figure everything out on their own. 

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Better visualization

 3D manuals provide clear visual instructions for product assembly. This is particularly useful for complicated assembly instructions. 

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Reduced assembly errors

The visualization and interactive capabilities of 3D manuals lead to fewer mistakes during the assembly process. 

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Improved accessibility

 Since 3D manuals can be accessed through smart devices like mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, users can access them from anywhere around the world. There’s no need to carry the physical documentation with them like in the case of printed manuals. 

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Reduced language dependence

Since 3D manuals are much less dependent on text compared to 2D manuals, they’re much easier to understand and translate in other languages. 

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Save printing costs

3D manuals are stored digitally and can be accessed by a lot of people at the same time without the need for mass-printing. This can significantly reduce your business’ printing costs over time. 

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Drawbacks of 3D Product Assembly Manuals

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Higher initial cost

Since creating and deploying 3D manuals require specialized software and labor, they have a higher upfront cost compared to 2D manuals. However, in the long run, they make up for this cost by saving on printing costs. Easemble, actually is the most affordable 3D solution.

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Requires digital proficiency

If your customers belong to higher age groups, they may find it difficult to find and use 3D manuals. This can make it hard for them to access and use your product’s 3D manual.

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Summary of Pros & Cons 

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How 3D Manuals Benefit Your Business

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3D manuals don’t just make your customers’ lives easier; they directly benefit your business as well. Here’s how: 

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1. Lower costs over time:  While 3D manuals have a relatively higher initial cost, they more than make up for it by:
   
   1. Reducing printing costs over time
   2. Reducing customer support costs
   3. Reducing product return costs

2. Fewer product returns: 3D manuals reduce product returns in two ways. First, by helping buyers set the right expectations regarding assembly before they make the purchase, and second, by minimizing errors and frustration caused by unclear or ambiguous instructions. 

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3. Fewer negative reviews: Too often, products get negatively reviewed because customers couldn’t figure out how to assemble them. With 3D manuals, the customer experience is a lot better, which translates into fewer negative reviews and more positive ones. 

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4. Fewer customer support calls: Customers frustrated and confused with the assembly process will call your business’ support centers. This, of course, will add on to your business’ costs. 3D manuals will empower your customers to resolve most assembly issues on their own, which, again, saves your business time and resources.

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5. Improves brand perception: By switching to 3D manuals, you’d be reducing your business’ environmental footprint. Your environmentally conscious customers will appreciate it.

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6. Helps purchase decisions: If you add a 3D manual to your product’s landing page, customers will be able to see the assembly process beforehand, giving them more confidence to go through with the purchase. Not to mention, the improved purchase experience will help them see your brand as innovative and forward-thinking. 

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When Does It Make Sense To Use 3D Manuals? (Best Use Cases)

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Despite having a greater capacity to communicate complex product assembly instructions, making a 3D manual for your product doesn't always make sense. 

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To decide which way to go, you’ll need to consider the following factors:

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• Product assembly complexity: If your product involves complex assembly steps, a 3D manual will be the better option.

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• Target audience: If your target audience isn’t proficient with technology, they’ll be more comfortable with 2D manuals.
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• Regulatory requirements: Depending on your region, some industries will have regulatory requirements for comprehensive and compliant product documentation. However many regulatory and retailers are switching to a digital requirement.

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That said, here are a few examples of the many products where 3D assembly manuals make a lot more sense than 2D manuals:

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• Toys that require assembly, i.e., Lego 
• Ready-to-assemble furniture products
• Sports equipment/ machinery 
• Manufacturing equipment and machinery
• Construction projects

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But this isn’t all, broad product categories like DIY kits, home appliances, and many others can also benefit from 3D manuals. 

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How To Create Your First 3D Manual With Easemble

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Want in on all these benefits? Perfect! Easemble has everything you need to get your first 3D manual up and running. Here’s an overview of what the process of creating a 3D manual looks like:

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Step 1: Create a 3D model for your product - First up, you’ll need a 3D model for your product. If you don’t have one already, you’ll need to hire someone to create one for you. Just remember that the final file must be in a FBX or GLB format and below 50 MB in size. You can have the 3D model made in any 3D modelling software you like, so long as the aforementioned criteria are met. 

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Step 2: Log into Easemble - With your 3D model ready, log into your Easemble account to get started. If you don’t have one already, go ahead and make one right away- it takes less than a minute!

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Step 3: Upload your product’s 3D model to Easemble: Once you’re logged into your Easemble account, click the “create” button to get started on your first manual. You will then be able to do things like:

1. Upload your product’s 3D model to Easemble.
2. Upload relevant documents & product details.
3. Upload product pictures.
4. Mention assembly requirements, i.e., number of people or tools required, etc.
5. Name each component of the product and add barcodes for customers’ reference.
6. Add assembly instructions with animations.
7. Set manual visibility 

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Step 4: Publish your first 3D manual: Once everything is good to go, simply click the “publish” button to make the manual accessible to your customers. 

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Step 5: Monitor analytics & review: Finally, use Easemble’s analytics dashboard to check whether people are able to follow through your 3D assembly instructions with ease. If you find any bottlenecks, quickly go ahead and update the manual for clarity!

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Final Thoughts

While 2D manuals have been the go-to for assembly instructions, 3D manuals are transforming the experience with interactive and immersive visuals. By eliminating ambiguity, they reduce errors and enhance user comprehension. Ready to see results for your business? Create your first 3D manual with Easemble today!

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