Wheel photo
Wheel reference photos
The wheel reference should show the wheel face clearly enough that the design and finish survive the preview. A catalog image is often better than a photo of a wheel on another car.
- One wheel, straight on, with the full face visible.
- Use a clean image without a busy background.
- Match the finish you actually want, not a similar colour.
What makes a good reference
A straight-on product photo with the whole wheel in frame is the simplest input. The model can read the spoke pattern, lip, centre cap and finish without guessing what is behind the wheel.
A photo of the same wheel on another car can work, but it is harder: the wheel may be partly covered by the arch, turned at an angle or affected by the other car’s lighting and reflections. Use it only if you cannot find a clean product image.
Angle and crop
Keep the camera close to the wheel’s centreline. A strong side angle hides part of the face and makes the spoke pattern harder to reproduce. Crop out the car, the stand and most of the background, but leave the complete rim visible.
If the wheel is photographed on a car, choose an image where the wheel is not turned and the arch does not cut across the rim. A front wheel photographed straight on is usually better than a rear wheel photographed from behind.
Finish and details
Silver, white, gunmetal, bronze and black finishes read differently in daylight. Use a reference that shows the finish you want, not a darker or lighter version that you hope the model will correct.
Centre caps, lug nuts and valve stems are small details. They do not need to be perfect, but a wheel with a missing centre cap or a damaged lip will usually produce a preview with the same problem.
One wheel per reference. Do not upload a grid of four designs and expect the model to choose one.
See a wheel on your own car before you buy it.
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