Project Overview
In this case study, we will describe an exterior rendering project that was undertaken for an architect from Florida. The architect contacted us, Ratio Visuals, for the exterior render of a residential building. A period of five days was set for this project whereby we were expected to produce an exterior render based on an architect’s 2D drawings and 3D Revit model. Not only does this project showcase the development of our attention to detail and client’s collaboration, but also the importance of 3D rendering in the building industry, as it enables the visualisation of designs, material selection, and presentation of ideas to clients.
Client Requirements
The architect forwarded us with project files consisting of 2D architectural drawings and a 3D Revit model which formed the basis of concrete work. The materials were applied right onto the 2D images of the drawing which assisted in identifying the materials to be used on the project. The goal of this effort was to produce an intricate and lifelike front exterior perspective of the structural edifice.
At the first project meeting, the architect made it clear that it was critical to understand the different textures of the materials and that the design had to conform to his concepts. With the Florida context, it was equally imperative that the rendering was able to capture the character of the regional sun and other environmental elements. This was very important for the architect, for the reason that the visual architecture of the construction had to be in accordance with its location.
The Rendering Process
To start with, the rendering process included converting the 2D drawings and Revit model into a 3D environment that offered more camera angles and available materials than the 2D views captured. Our approach included several key stages that led to completion of the render within the five days allowed, without compromising on the needs of the clients as per the quality claim of Ratio Visuals.
3D Model Setup and Scene Preparation: The rendering was largely built on the 3D Revit model that was supplied to us by the architect. The model was taken into our rendering program with all the geometries properly defined. This was a very important phase in terms of camera position and lights placement, which is basic for photorealistic results.
Material Application: On the basis of the architect’s notes, you were able to appropriately “dress up” the model in the necessary materials as shown on the 2D drawings. These included such basic textures as stone, wood and glass, among others, which were essential for the construction of the building. In the render, we employed advanced models of materials to mimic the aforementioned textures and fine-tune every minute detail for realism including reflectivity and roughness among other material properties.
Lighting and Environment: As everyone knows, sundry scenes in a place are influenced by different forms of lighting. In order to produce a render that corresponded with the Florida weather, we modified the natural daylight conditions in the scene to match the sun position. The sun direction and its elevation together with various light distributions had to serve the purpose of beautifying the materials and more specifically the architectural elements. Environmental context was given to the building by also adding that of trees and landscaping elements.
First Draft and Revisions: Having finished the workspace layout, the team worked on the preliminary draft of render that settled on a straight view to the building. The architect required a shift in the camera’s position in order to include the specific features of the architecture that were missed in the first draft. We decided to minimise the revision feedback loop by sending a picture of the modified 3D object to the customer before the updated render was carried out.
Final Render: Once the architect sanctioned the new camera angle which was based on a 3D screenshot, we went ahead and finalized the render. This step included optimizing the light conditions, improving the models’ textures and working on post-processing to improve the overall rendering quality. After making the changes, we transferred the final render which satisfied the client in terms of the accuracy of the design and the pleasing nature of the design.
How do architects benefit from 3D Rendering
As our client from Florida indicates, architects tend to have a hard time when they need to reproduce their designs from the paper-based or computer-aided design busting out of some CAD models. On the other hand, 2D drawings bring out the basic technical requirements, but at times they are not enough to communicate the full scope of a design especially materials, light, and surroundings. 3D rendering comes to the rescue.
Better Visualization: in the cases of 3D renders, architects have an advantage of being able to understand their designs better, which was unfortunately not possible with simple drawings. The reason for this is that it enables the architect to visualize the building in a 3D environment where the actual colors, materials, and even textures will be used within that space. This will assist in making appropriate design decisions early in the process.
Material Selection: 3D rendering generally makes it possible for experimentation with materials as one of the major advantages of the application. In our project, the architect had already placed materials in the 2D drawings with one specific option only, however, with aid of 3D rendering, we were able to demonstrate all the scenarios and how those materials will get reflected under different lighting and environmental factors. There would have been some hesitations or interests to try other materials during construction or see the results first and whether it was worth doing this effort without the render.
Client Presentations: The other benefit of 3D rendering which is so important and worthy is the improved interaction of architects with their potential clients. For architects who have to communicate their ideas to stakeholders, or when the ideas are subject to appraisal by developers or homeowners, such a picture can bear fruits. It eliminates the amenity between the structural plans and the actual structure such that the clients are able to see the appearance of the building and comment on it.
In this particular situation, the visual aspect helps in showing the architects’ ideas and concepts more effectively. So the said clients were first shown the render and then asked whether they would want the object constructed in that manner. This not only assisted in chopping off the extent of client-risk but ensured that the project was going to proceed without any client beg pardon.
How Ratio Visuals Helps Architects Achieve Their Vision
At Ratio Visuals, we appreciate the complications of architectural problems vis a vis the need for effective communication of concepts through clouds of incredible looking three dimensional images. Our expertise is also beneficial to the specific expectations of architects, assistance in appropriate prioritisation for architects so that they:
Refine Material Choices: Our architecture renders achieve upper-level realism and accuracy so that the architects can rely on the very high-quality detail of materials represented in the 3D renders and define the materials for their further use in the architecture projects.
Visualise Lighting and Environment: We are good at projecting physical and artificial light and at adjusting it to fit into different times of the day or weather or seasons. Thus, architects can appreciate how it would look on the ground.
Iterate Quickly: We appreciate that there will always be changes to any design so we know that revisions are only normal. Hence, we have a good relationship with our clients as we provide them with a draft and mock one so that at the end of it all the render is what they wanted.
Impress Clients: Our photorealistic renders assist architects in depicting their works more effectively, with compliance to all engineering norms, and with the ‘wow’ effect to their clients’ service.
Conclusion
This project illustrates how important 3D rendering is in reaching the architectural design goal. The interaction with the architect from Florida allowed us not only to transform a two-dimensional design and a three-dimensional Revit model into an impressive three-dimensional exterior rendering aimed to demonstrate the design but even more. Our client appreciated the flexibility and precision of working with 3D renders enhancing the design process and making it more favourable to both the architect and his clients.
Here at Ratio Visuals, we consider ourselves a dependable partner for architects who want to upgrade their projects by providing them with a state-of-the-art 3D rendering. Our services also allow a better execution of projects on time and with fewer mistakes, but also allow architects to embody their creations into something that is