What is 3D Rendering and Architectural Rendering?
- Educational
- March 3, 2021
What is 3D Rendering?
Simply put, 3D Rendering is virtual Photography and Videography.
It is the use of computer technology to digitally create images, videos and interactive programs that will traditionally represent or mimic real-life concepts and designs.
In technical terms, it is the process of creating computer-generated images from a 3D Model or 3D Models that have had materials, textures, colors and lighting applied to them.
Within the property industry specifically, this is the ability to convert flat building plans into a computer model. Inject furniture, fittings, and landscaping. Apply materials, colors, finishes and lighting. And then generate an image or video that closely resembles that of a real-life photo/video.
Without knowing it, there is a high chance you have been exposed to 3D Renders many times before. Most likely within the movie industry, on product advertisements, in many facets of marketing, and certainly now in the property industry.
It is also commonly referred to as Architectural Visualization, 3D Images/videos, or perhaps CGI.
Uses for 3D Rendering
There are countless reasons to use 3D Rendering…In fact, you probably see 3D Renders every day without realising it on the television, in advertisements and magazine covers. You may be surprised to hear that most product advertisements were, at least to some degree, created digitally with the use of 3D Rendering.
With recent advances in computer technology, 3D Rendering has become more efficient, affordable and effective as the ability to create images that are hard to tell from real life becomes available.
Rendering is used for the following
- Architectural Rendering
- Cinematics & Movies
- Advertisements & Product Design.
- Video Games
- Virtual Reality
- Engineering
- Town Planning
- Environment Simulations
- Much More
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Architectural Rendering -
Engineering -
Video Games -
Town Planning -
Product Development / Marketing
If you are an architect, developer or real estate there are many uses for 3D Renders within this industry alone.
- Acquiring building approvals from the government/council.
- Generating Investments
- To effectively market and sell your projects before they are built to a wide audience uncapped by traditional constraints.
- To Simplify sales with easy to explain and understand visuals.
How 3D Rendering Works for Architectural Rendering
1. 3D Modelling
The first step in the 3D Render process is to create a 3D Model. Specialized software like AutoCAD is used to convert flat building plans from PDF or DWG to a 3D Wireframe model.
2. Materials, Texturing & Environment.
Once a 3D Model is created, materials, textures and colors are added to all surfaces to make it look as realistic as possible. This is everything from selecting the color of paint on a wall to type of roof cladding.
Additionally, at this point, the designer will add in the furniture, landscaping, and any additional models (People, cars etc.).
3. Lighting
After the physical environment is completed. We will add lighting to the model. The first type of lighting added is the natural lighting. This is setup to replicate the real-world lighting a property would receive from the Sun or Moon at particular time in the day. As well as selecting the weather conditions.
Secondly, the internal lighting is added. These mimic the actual lights that the project will house.
Finally, We set up the cinematic lighting. This process is like the way a photographer or videographer would set up lighting when photographing an already built project. This is set up particular to each image and video being generated to get the best results.
4. Rendering
Generally, rendering is the last step and is when the computer generates the 2D image or video from the scene created in the stages above. It is just like taking a photo in real life. Well…sort of.
Unlike taking a photo, however, rendering can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days per image/video. This is dependent on the complexity of the scene and the output quality desired. In fact, for more complex renders, the use of multiple computers is needed for the process.
5. Refining & Post Production
Although it is not always necessary, traditionally once rendering is complete. We will have to do additional editing to fine-tune the image’s appearance. Additionally, this might include a combination of extra lighting, texturing, or other editing processes both in the 3d render software and in photoshop, providing a polish to the image or video being created.
What you need to get a 3D Render from Visual Render
If you are building or designing a new project you should have everything you need to have that vision turned into a visual. All you need to get started is:
- Your Building Plans on PDF and/or Dwg.
- Project Schedule (Finishes, Colors, Fixtures, Landscaping).
- For Images – The views that you need (The position and angle you would like us to generate the view from).
- For Videos – The main path you would like the video to take.
If you’re unsure about selecting views or video paths, don’t stress! We can guide you through all of this.
Looking for a 3D Render Package But Not Sure Where To Start?
Taking your project to market with 3D Renders is EASY and only takes a few weeks.
Essentially, all we need to discuss your project is your plans and your vision. To get started send us a quote request here or call us on (07) 2102 1413. For any questions, you can reach us at enquiries@visualrender.com.au
*Trade Prices – Are you a builder, developer, Architect or Marketing Company looking for an ongoing partner to provide your renders? Get in touch today for more info on special pricing.
