1. A method for generating a variable data image using a computing system having one or more computing devices configured to implement a variable data image generator, the method comprising: assigning a variable identifier to a specified location in a 3D scene to identify the specified location as being variable; populating the 3D scene with at least one component at the specified location based on the variable identifier and in response to at least one predefined populating rule implemented using the variable data image generator, the at least one predefined populating rule being applied based on at least one attribute of a recipient for which a static image of the 3D scene is to be generated, the component being selected and inserted at the specified location in accordance with the at least one populating rule; and generating the static image of the 3D scene for the recipient, the static image including the at least one component.