Lighting & rendering · Beginner

Turntable render

A looping animation that spins a 3D model so you see every side

Also called turntable

What is a turntable render?

A turntable render is a short looping animation that spins a 3D model, or the camera around it, through a full circle. It shows the model from every side, so artists use turntable animation to present portfolio pieces, check shape and topology, and show clients a product.

Think of it like this

It is like a cake on a rotating stand in a bakery window: it slowly turns so you can see every side.

Where it fits in a 3D project

  1. Create
  2. Surface
  3. Rig
  4. Animate
  5. Render
  6. Export

Render: Lighting the scene and turning it into images or video.

How a turntable render works

  1. 01Place the model at the center of the scene on a simple backdrop.
  2. 02Animate the model, or a camera parented to a center point, to rotate 360 degrees.
  3. 03Make the rotation linear so the speed stays steady and the loop is clean.
  4. 04Render the frames and loop the video, often with a wireframe or clay version.

Where a turntable render is used

  • Portfolio presentations for 3D artists
  • Showing products to clients from every side
  • Reviewing sculpts and topology
  • Online stores and 3D model marketplaces

Beginner tip

Keep the lights fixed while the model turns. If the lights rotate with it, every side is lit the same way and the shape becomes harder to read.

Terms related to a turntable render

Turntable render FAQ

How do I make a turntable in Blender?
Add an empty at the model’s center, parent the camera to it, then keyframe the empty’s Z rotation from 0 to 360 degrees. Set interpolation to linear, and end one frame early so the loop does not stutter.
What is a clay turntable?
A turntable rendered with one plain gray material instead of textures, so viewers judge only the shape. Artists often show a clay pass, a wireframe pass and a final textured pass side by side.
How long should a turntable render be?
Long enough for one slow, readable rotation. A common rule of thumb is about 5 to 10 seconds per full turn; faster spins make details hard to see.

Updated October 29, 2026 · Browse all 3D terms