Are you struggling with time-consuming manual frame adjustments? Online frame simulators can transform how you handle custom orders, saving you time and making your design process smoother.
Online frame simulators let you create a virtual version of your custom frame, complete with the exact materials, colors and shapes you plan to use. This way, you can save resources and get your customer’s approval on the design before starting production.
If your shop handles a lot of custom orders, a user-friendly, all-in-one frame simulator can keep things running efficiently. Check out these four online frame simulator solutions to make your custom framing process a breeze.
1. LifeSaver POS
LifeSaver is the leading point of sale (POS) solution for frame shops. This program is truly transformative if you are looking to streamline your daily operations. What sets it apart is FrameVue, an integrated online frame simulator that can simplify your workflow.
Pros:
- Support for hundreds of vendor items: LifeSaver’s FrameVue simulator allows you to import hundreds of premade vending images from approved vendors and simulate countless combinations of frame materials, backgrounds, textures, and colors.
- Create your own simulated frames: Can’t find the frame materials you need for a simulation? No problem. Take pictures of your desired mouldings, upload them to FrameVue, and generate custom simulated frames in seconds.
- Display designs to customers within minutes: FrameVue integrates with the rest of the LifeSaver POS system. This allows you to upload customer artwork and show them finished designs using the same in-store hardware you use to process payments and manage inventory.
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Integrated payment processing: When your customer is ready to purchase their custom order, there is no need to rely on a separate system to process the payment. LifeSaver lets your frame shop accept all major payment methods, including EMV credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Cons:
- Learning curve: Onboarding and staff training is recommended to ensure your store can take advantage of everything LifeSaver and FrameVue offers.
- Customizing can be time-consuming: If you rely on custom-made mouldings to build custom orders, you’ll need to upload pictures and create entries for each one, which can be time-consuming at the start.
Getting the hang of a new, feature-packed software like LifeSaver might take a little time, but there’s a reason it’s the top-rated framing software! Once you’re comfortable with FrameVue, you’ll be selling more custom frames and impressing your customers before you know it.
Pricing: Starts at $69/month for the Startup Plan. A free 14-day trial is included, letting you test FrameVue and all other LifeSaver features before you buy it.
2. LIVEARf
Need to visualize your designs in real-world settings? LIVEARf’s AR capabilities make it effortless. It’s a cutting-edge tool that lets you see how virtual art and frames will look in any space. Just point your smartphone or tablet camera, and you can instantly visualize artwork and frames right where you want them, offering a fresh and interactive way to showcase your designs.
Pros:
- Immersive display: With LIVEARf, customers can see exactly how a frame design will look with their chosen artwork in real life, not just in flat images. Using their phone, they can layer any frame over any piece of art, making it easy and convenient to visualize the final look.
- Adjust frames in real conditions: The AR display lets customers see how their framed photos will look and make adjustments on the spot. It adds a layer of realism, allowing them to see and imagine their custom designs against any background, whether in the store or at home.
- Virtual gallery features: LIVEARf enables frame shops to turn their store space into a virtual art and frame design gallery. Arrange and customize your latest designs and materials in the program, then layer them over your real-world space with realistic dimensions and sizing.
Cons:
- Limited applications: LIVEARf is a specialized tool that can only produce augmented reality displays. It does not support fully digital virtual reality (VR) galleries or traditional two-dimensional images.
- Not a comprehensive frame shop tool: LIVEARf is excellent for showcasing custom frames with AR or adding a plugin to your online store, but its features end there. It doesn’t include inventory management or customer relationship tools to help with the rest of your custom frame design process.
If you’re looking for a cutting-edge frame simulator, LIVEARf is one of the most advanced options. However, it works best as a supplemental tool. If your frame shop needs an all-in-one software solution, you’ll want to explore other options.
Pricing: Starts at $14.99/month for the LITE package, $24.99 for the BASIC package, and $34.99 for the ADVANCE plan.
3. SimulArt
SimulArt is a user-friendly online tool that helps framing professionals visualize picture frames in real time. Whether you’re running a small shop or a larger business, SimulArt makes it easy to see how different frames will look with your artwork.
Pros:
- Extensive moulding catalog: SimulArt comes with over 30,000 preloaded mats, mouldings, and other items. Framing shops can start designing custom frames within minutes of installation. The program can automatically calculate each frame’s costs based on the materials and dimensions you enter.
- Complex custom frames: Does your frame shop often create complex frames with multiple picture openings? SimulArt supports up to three3 mats and 36 picture openings in different shapes and layouts.
- E-commerce integrations: SimulArt seamlessly integrates with your Shopify or WooCommerce store, allowing you to design new frames and add them directly to your online shop. No more manually re-entering details — everything syncs from the program.
Cons:
- Limited data storage: SimulArt only allows a maximum of 5 GB of total data storage on the lowest plan. This can limit the number of high-definition frame images you can store in the application without upgrading.
- Customer access requires a higher plan: You must upgrade to a Framer & Customers Studio plan to give your customers access to the app and let them view your custom designs remotely.
SimulArt offers a wide range of language options and includes a seven-day trial, but be aware that some of its top features are only available with higher-priced plans. It also lacks the business management tools in more comprehensive software.
Pricing: It ranges from $29/month to $299/month, depending on the size of your business and whether you need customer access to the program.
4. Virtual Frame
Virtual Frame is the ultimate tool for designing and customizing products easily, no matter which device you use. It seamlessly combines a visualization program with a point of sale (POS) system and e-commerce integrations. Designed to work smoothly across all platforms — from smartphones to PCs — it lets you create from anywhere without a hitch.
Pros:
- Three-dimensional previews: With Virtual Frame’s online simulator, you can showcase your images and custom frames in classic 2D and stunning 3D. You can even get a full 360° view of your frame designs using your customer’s pictures, making it easy to see every detail.
- Mobile-friendly version: Virtual Frame runs seamlessly on web browsers and most Android and Apple devices. The mobile version fully supports 2D and 3D rendering, allowing you to create and showcase your designs effortlessly, no matter which device you’re using.
- Integrated checkout: Customers can purchase their personalized frames directly from your platform, managing everything from the initial design to the final payment in one smooth, seamless experience.
Cons:
- Limited POS features: Virtual Frame offers a point of sale functionality through its Kiosk mode, but it’s limited to Windows devices and is designed for creating and selling custom frames. The program lacks store inventory management, customer analytics, and financial features.
- Online-only: Virtual Frame is a web app, so a constant internet connection is necessary. Without it, you won’t be able to access the frame designer or your product gallery.
Virtual Frame offers a wealth of features for any frame shop seeking an advanced design and visualization tool. However, before jumping in, consider its limitations — it might not meet all of your needs.
Pricing: The company recommends contacting the customer service department to discuss your shop’s needs and get a quote.
Take Your Frame Shop to the Next Level
There are plenty of visualization and design tools on the market if you’re looking for an online frame simulator, but most are standalone programs that don’t easily integrate with your existing POS system. This can leave your shop managing a mix of disconnected software that doesn’t work well together.
LifeSaver POS is the only solution that offers a complete range of features to manage your frame shop, including a fully-integrated custom frame simulator. Start your free trial today and find out how much simpler running your framing business is with LifeSaver.
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