An installation animation is an explainer video that demonstrates how to assemble, install or use a product. It simplifies complex processes, which is better for the customer and results in fewer support calls.”
Understanding how much an explainer video will cost is very important for furniture companies who want to make proper budget decisions for their projects. There are many aspects that determine the price of an explainer video, which includes the kind of animation, duration of the video, script writing, voice overs, revisions, customization, among others. With all this in mind, you can be assured of getting a top-notch animation.
This article by our 3D animation company will walk you through the main factors impacting explainer video cost and help you make informed decisions for your project.
1. Animation Style and Complexity
One of the most important factors that affect the explainer video cost is the complexity and style of an installation animation. All require different degrees of effort, expertise and resources, depending on the level of complexity, from basic 2D animations to complex 3D visualizations, which in turn affect production time and overall costs.
How Complexity Affects Production Time and Cost
- Basic 2D Animation – Simple, vector-based animations with minimal shading and movement are faster and cheaper. Those animations usually have fewer assets, simple transitions and less rendering time.
- 3D Animation with Basic Modeling – The addition of a third dimension increases production time because it necessitates modeling objects, texturing, lighting, and rendering. This degree of complexity is often used in instructional videos where it is useful to have some depth and realism.
- Highly Detailed 3D Animation – Realistic textures, advanced lighting, fluid physics simulations , and dynamic camera movements require massive computational power and skilled labor. It can take hours to render each frame and revisions can be labour intensive, adding substantially to costs.
Examples of Basic vs. Highly Detailed Installation Animations
- Basic Animation: Simple 2D walk-through showing how to install a wall mount with very minimal movement and static illustrations. Design with clear step-by-step instructions and little rendering time.
- Highly Detailed Animation: Highly detailed 3D animation of a complex mechanical system installation, with realistic textures, lighting, and perspective, and intricate mechanical movements. Such animations are visually clear but require significant production resources.
The level of complexity is determined by the budget, the needs of the audience and the detail needed for effective instruction.
2. Video Length
The length of an installation animation plays a crucial role in determining production time, explainer video cost, and audience engagement. While longer videos provide more detail, they also demand greater resources, while shorter videos are often more cost-effective and retain viewer attention better.
Why Longer Videos Require More Resources and Increase Costs
Producing longer videos requires more time, effort and resources and thereby increases production costs. "Every extra second adds complexity and requires more investment – from animation and rendering to post-production work.
- Increased Production Effort– Longer videos require more frames, more animation sequences and more voiceover or text narration and increases the production complexity
- Higher Rendering Time– The more frames you have, the longer it takes to render, especially when you have a lot of details and special effects in your 3D animations.
- Extended Post-Production Work– Longer videos need more editing, sound design and visual effects, driving up costs for labor and software.
Recommended Video Length for Optimal Engagement
Choosing the right video length is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and delivering information effectively. The ideal duration depends on the content’s complexity, with shorter videos best for quick overviews and longer ones suited for detailed instructions.
- 30-60 seconds: Best for quick overviews, product introductions, or simple installation steps. Ideal for marketing and social media.
- 1-3 minutes: Suitable for standard installation guides, providing enough time to cover key steps while keeping the viewer engaged.
- 3-5 minutes or longer: Necessary for complex installations requiring detailed instructions, but should be broken into segments to maintain audience attention.
Cost Comparison: Short vs. Long Explainer Videos
The explainer video costs varies significantly based on their length and complexity. Shorter videos are more budget-friendly, while longer ones require additional resources, leading to higher production expenses.
- Short Videos (30-90 seconds): Lower cost due to fewer assets, shorter rendering times, and simpler animations. Typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 depending on complexity.
- Long Videos (3-5+ minutes): More expensive as they require additional animation work, voiceover, and post-production. Costs can range from $2,800 to $4,500 or more for highly detailed 3D animations.
Keeping videos concise and focused helps optimize explainer video cost and engagement while ensuring clarity in installation instructions.
3. Scriptwriting and Storyboarding
A well written script and storyboard are key to controlling the cost of the explainer video and getting a good installation animation. The script steers the story, breaking down difficult processes and adding interest. A clear, logical script helps viewer retention and reduces unnecessary revisions.
Storyboarding is the visual mapping of the script, defining key scenes, camera angles and cuts. A detailed storyboard speeds up production and reduces unexpected costs and revisions. The more detailed the storyboard, the smoother the workflow, and the more time and resources you will save.
Companies can go for professional script writers or a DIY approach. The professionals will do a polished audience-oriented script, but the DIY approach may cut down on upfront cost — but it could mean more revisions, which could drive the explainer video cost up over time.
The level of detail in a storyboard also has a huge impact on the cost of animation. Basic storyboards with rough sketches give a general direction but might need a lot of adjustments during production. In comparison , storyboards with a lot of detail , including scene breakdowns , motion cues , and camera movements , allow the animators to be more efficient and less likely to have to make last-minute changes that cost more money . A well-structured script and storyboard are investments that in the end improve the quality of the final animation, while optimizing production time and budget.
E-Commerce product videos boost engagement and present product details, features and functionality in an eye-catching way.
4. Voiceover and Sound Design
The explainer video cost is significantly influenced by voiceover and sound design, both of which enhance engagement and clarity in an installation animation. Several factors affect the cost and quality of this component.
1. Professional Voice Actors vs. AI-Generated Voices:
Narration will be done by professional voice actors with natural intonation and feeling and industry experience to ensure high quality . But rates differ based on experience and regional designation.
AI-generated voices are a cost-effective alternative that have fast turnaround times. They may not have the subtlety of human narration but they are getting better at realism.
2. Background Music and Sound Effects:
Original music can enhance brand identity and distinctiveness, but it also raises production costs.
A cheaper alternative is royalty free or licensed music which also adds to the animation.
Sound effects can help clarify actions and add to engagement, but they need to be chosen and placed carefully.
3. Localization and Multilingual Voiceovers:
Hiring native-speaking voice actors for international markets will make it authentic, but increase the costs of production.
AI-powered multilingual voiceover solutions are a cost-effective way to reach wider audiences.
The balance of these elements helps to maintain a high quality production while keeping costs under control.
5. Revisions and Customization
Additional revisions can also affect the overall explainer video cost. It’s important to decide whether you want unlimited revisions or something more limited. Unlimited revisions can really rack up the price and prolong the production process. On that note, limiting your revisions can help your animation stay on budget and on time.
Customization levels also heavily impact costs. Fully custom animations, designed to align with specific branding and messaging, require more time and resources than pre-made templates, which offer a cost-effective but less distinctive alternative. Adding branding elements such as logos, custom color schemes, and unique design features further increases production complexity, ensuring brand consistency but raising overall expenses.
Balancing revisions, customization, and branding needs is key to producing a high-quality animation that meets creative goals while keeping the explainer video cost within budget.
6. Additional Cost Considerations
In addition to animation production itself there are other considerations that can affect the bottom line. Turnaround, license fees and app/platform optimization are just a few of the variables that may require more resources.
- Turnaround Time: Expedited production requires additional resources and typically comes with higher fees compared to standard timelines.
- Licensing Fees: Costs may increase when using premium or exclusive stock assets, such as images, video clips, and soundtracks.
- Platform Optimization: Animations tailored for different platforms (e.g., social media, websites, presentations) may require adjustments in formatting, aspect ratios, and resolution, adding to production expenses.
Considering these factors helps ensure a smooth production process while staying within budget.
Explainer video cost can range from $5,000 to over $50,000 depending on complexity of animation, video length, scriptwriting and recording, revisions, fees, etc. To lower explainer video costs, know what you need from your project from the get-go. Set your priorities and try to trim down on things you want but don't need.
Hiring a professional will save you money in the long run. You get a high-quality product that will wow your viewers, communicate your message clearly and help grow your business. Ready to learn how to hire a professional, yet affordable explainer video animation installation? Check out our 3D animation services!