Working as a freelance technical artist for Yondr Agency, I contributed to the development of a virtual sales and training tool for Needle Felt, a brand under Beaulieu International Group. The project transformed their entire carpet collection into an interactive 3D configurator, enabling distributors and clients to explore, customize, and visualize flooring options in real-time.
The Challenge
Needle Felt's team was spending excessive time and resources producing one-off renders for every client request. Distributors needed visuals, clients wanted options, and the traditional process of offline rendering was slow, expensive, and repetitive. They needed a scalable solution that could deliver global impact with local flexibility.
My Role & Technical Implementation
As the technical artist on this project, I was responsible for building the core Unreal Engine infrastructure that powered the entire experience. My contributions spanned several key areas:
Pixel Streaming Infrastructure
I built the pixel streaming setup that enabled the high-fidelity Unreal Engine application to be streamed to any device, from phones to big LED walls. This eliminated the need for powerful local hardware while maintaining visual quality.
Carpet Texture Management System
One of the project's most complex challenges was handling hundreds of different carpet textures. I developed a robust system for:
- Instant Texture Switching: Users can seamlessly swap between hundreds of carpet options in real-time
- Smart Recoloring System: I created an intelligent color-matching system that dynamically adjusts carpet textures to match their real-life color specifications, ensuring accurate representation
Virtual Environment Creation
I built the complete virtual showroom environment, designed as a modular space with distinct zones including office, restaurant, kitchen, and hallway areas. Each zone serves as a blank canvas where Needle Felt's products can be applied, customized, and visualized in context.
Dynamic Camera System
To enable intuitive exploration of the environment, I implemented a dynamic camera system that allows users to navigate through the virtual spaces smoothly, examining carpet options from any angle.
Hybrid Deployment Architecture
A unique aspect of this project was the dual deployment system I architected:
- Online Version: Accessible via pixel streaming from any device with a web browser
- Local Version: Running on a giant projector screen setup, interactable through a tablet controller
The system was built to be dynamically switchable between these modes, sharing the same assets and functionality. This architecture also proved invaluable for generating marketing materials, replacing the traditional offline rendering pipeline with real-time captures.
Key Features
The configurator empowers users with several powerful capabilities:
- Real-time Visualization: See carpet options instantly in realistic virtual environments
- Instant Texture Switching: Browse hundreds of carpet textures without loading times
- Accurate Color Matching: The smart recoloring system ensures digital carpets match their physical counterparts
- Multi-platform Access: From phone to tradeshow screen, the experience adapts to any display
- Marketing Material Generation: Create high-quality visuals on-demand, eliminating render bottlenecks
- Salesforce Integration: The configurator connects directly to CRM systems for seamless lead capture
Outcome
The resulting platform transformed Needle Felt's sales process. Distributors and sales representatives can now:
- Present the complete carpet collection without carrying physical samples
- Generate custom visuals on the spot for client presentations
- Operate the experience at trade shows, in showrooms, or during online meetings
- Capture leads directly through the integrated CRM connection
The hybrid deployment system proved particularly valuable, allowing the same application to serve both remote clients via pixel streaming and in-person visitors via the projector/tablet setup. This flexibility, combined with the elimination of traditional render workflows, delivered significant time and cost savings for the Needle Felt team.
Technical Details
- Engine: Unreal Engine 5
- Key Technologies: Pixel Streaming, Blueprint visual scripting, WebSocket communication, Dynamic material systems
- Deployment: Cloud streaming + Local projector setup