Workflow Steps for Exterior 3D Rendering Architectural Services

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Every year, more and more architects and firms are using 3D rendering services to create images of their projects before they are built. This technology has revolutionized the architectural industry, allowing for greater accuracy and visualization when creating plans and designs.

The importance of a well-rendered exterior 3D image cannot be understated. With cad drafting service, your exterior 3D renderings will be able to show off the full potential of your project. A realistic and high-quality image can help to secure funding, attract investors, and ultimately help to make a project a reality. In a project’s early stages, an exterior 3D rendering can be essential in communicating the vision for a space.

Many factors go into creating a successful exterior 3D rendering, but perhaps the most important is the workflow. Understanding and following the proper steps ensures that your rendering is of the highest quality and will best represent your project.

Exterior 3D Visualization Workflow

There isn’t a single perfect workflow for all exterior 3D rendering projects. That said, a few key steps should always be followed to produce a quality image.

Brief Project Submission

It always starts with a project brief from the client, which should include all the pertinent information about the project. The client provides us with as much information about the project as possible, such as the location, size, type of building, and any specific requirements or requests.

All the architectural drawings, blueprints, sketches, and reference images should be gathered and submitted at this stage. The more information we have with us to work, the better we will be able to understand the client’s vision and create a render that meets their expectations. It helps if these are in the same system so that there are no compatibility issues between programs.

Architectural Drawings

After we have gathered all the materials from the client, our team of architects and 3D artists will begin to work on the project. Artists need to study basic drawings, for example, site plans, floor plans, and elevations, to understand the layout of the building. A site plan is more relevant for an exterior 3D rendering process as it gives an overview of the property and how the building will fit into the surrounding landscape.

The artist and the client will also discuss the style of the project to get a nice understanding of the overall look and feel that is desired. The additional drawings the client can provide, the easier it will be for the artist to capture the desired aesthetic.

Lighting Reference

3D visualization service is all about creating realistic images, and lighting is one of the essential aspects of realism. The angle of the sun, type of light fixtures, and time of day can all significantly impact the final image. You can ask for a nighttime rendering with the moon and stars or a daytime image with the sun in a specific position.

Regardless of your preferences, providing the artist with reference images or a description of the desired lighting is essential. You must consider the viewing angles and direction into account as well. These choices will ultimately affect the shadows cast by the building and how the light interacts with the surrounding landscape.

Sketches

A rough sketch helps the artist to understand how you want the final image to look. They don’t need to be ideal, but they should include any desired features or elements you want to highlight. For example, an architect may want to show off a unique feature of the building or grab attention to a particular part of the landscape. Hyper-realistic details are not the priority at this stage.

It only needs to showcase the main idea so that the artist can better understand what the client is looking for. The artist must include a few minor additions or subtle design elements in various locations to polish the sketches and make them more appealing.

3D Models

The best source material for an exterior 3D rendering is a high-quality 3D model. With a 3D model, the artist can view the building from any angle and change the image’s lighting, camera angles, and other aspects. It also offers the artist more control over the final image and allows for greater accuracy.

If the client does not have a 3D model, the artist can create one from scratch using the architectural drawings and sketches. This process is more time-consuming, allowing the artist to create a realistic and accurate image. The final image may not be identical to the client’s vision, but it will be close.

Materials and Textures

Exterior rendering should represent the building’s outer shell down to minor details. The artist must select the suitable materials and textures for the project. For example, if there are locations with metal railings, the artist must use a metal texture that looks realistic. The project brief should include information about the desired materials and textures.

A project description is not enough to understand the client’s vision. The artist must also review the sketches and reference images to understand the desired aesthetic better. If you search for a drafting service near me, you can find many professionals to help you with the process.

Clay Render

Once the brief has been finalized, and the artist has all the necessary information, they can begin working on the clay render. The first deliverable is usually a bare-boned image known as clay render. It has no colors, no textures, and no reference materials. This image contains all the essential elements of the final image, but it is not yet polished or refined.

When examining the clay render, the artist is looking for your feedback. Your concern might be the camera angles, the lighting, or the overall composition of the image. Complaining about the color or the textures at this stage is pointless because they will be added later.

Another thing of importance is whether the image aligns with your vision. This is the time to make changes because it is much easier to change things in the clay render than in the final image.

Color Proof 1

The artist uses superficial elements, such as colors, materials, textures, and patterns, on the clay render as a foundation file. The focus now shifts to the environment and the landscape. A crucial phase of the project is to find the right balance between the building and the surrounding landscape.

Rendering designers use different techniques to achieve the perfect balance.

The materials and colors you select affect how lights will behave, so you can expect to see shadows, reflections, and glares in the image. Different objects like people and vehicles can be used to add scale and depth to the image.

After getting the second deliverable, which is called color proof 1, you should check if the image meets your requirements. Several finishing touches to the 3D render design may be necessary to achieve the desired results at this stage. When you are content with the result, the final stage of the process begins.

Final Render

For a final render, all the superficial elements are finalized. With exterior 3D rendering service is a photorealistic CGI image that looks like a real photograph. Using photo manipulation software, the artist makes small changes to the image to achieve an even higher level of realism. The objective is to improve the image until it is indistinguishable from a photograph.

This process is essentially post-production and can take a long time to complete. The artist ensures that every detail is perfect before delivering the final image. Today’s standard for a final render is 4K, equivalent to a high-resolution photograph.

Conclusion

Exterior 3D rendering is a complex process that requires a high level of skill and experience. However, these steps are essential to creating a photorealistic CGI image of a building. The ultra-efficient workflow process can bring your vision to life. You can use the image for marketing, presentation, or construction purposes.

If you need help with your exterior 3D rendering project, we recommend that you contact a professional service provider by searching for a drafting company near me. They have the adequate skills and experience to deliver high-quality images that meet your requirements.

FAQs

What do architects use for 3D rendering?

There are different software programs that architects use for 3D rendering. Some of the most popular ones include 3ds Max, V-Ray, SketchUp, and Rhino.

How prolonged does it take to generate a 3D rendering?

The time it takes to create a 3D rendering depends on the project’s complexity. A simple rendering can be done in a few hours, while a more complex one can take days or even weeks to complete.

How much does a 3D rendering cost?

The cost of a 3D rendering depends on the project’s size, complexity, and duration.

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