Process and workflow
The example below is a guide on how to create a 3D artist impression or 3D rendering. The following example is for an external render, however a very similar process applies for 3D floor plans and internal renders.
What files are needed – Step 1
What is initially required from the client is a set of PDF plans including detailed plans, elevations and any site information. If possible and available, you will also need your designer’s or architect’s CAD/.dwg file if available, as this can be helpful for accuracy and some additional design details.
Some photos or images may also be helpful, these can be from your site, houses you have seen, or show houses or pictures of colors and materials you like. The more information you receive initially, the better.
The more information you can provide initially, you should limit the number of drafts back and forth, as you will have a very good idea of what you would like to accomplish at the beginning of the project.
You will also need to ask your client for the approximate location of the viewpoint or area of the house they would like for their 3D rendering. You can then capture the correct viewpoint and elevation in the initial model and viewpoint settings.
The standard image size is 4000 x 3000 pixels for the final 3D rendering artist’s impression. The final images are suitable for the Internet, brochures, print media, and signage.
If you need the 3D rendering to be printed on a large billboard, you will need to know the dimensions and DPI required for the final image.
Step 2 is the creation of the 3D model
From the initial plans, elevations, reference images you provided, it creates the 3D model of the property and sets up 3 viewpoint options for you to choose from. Viewpoint drafts will be emailed to you for approval and you will proceed to the next stage with the selected viewpoint. If modifications are required to the initial viewpoints that are configured, it will make the changes and send another set of drafts to choose from.
Step 3 – Configuration of colors, materials and lighting
When the point of view has been chosen, the initial model has been approved, then you will continue with the color and materials and apply them to the model.
At this stage, you’ll need color specifications, reference images, and anything else that relates to the look you’d like to achieve with the property or development.
You may not know as much as you’d like, which is okay. I would then apply the initial colors and materials to the design and submit a draft, the client can make further changes and add more selections once they have seen the initial draft. Continue repeating this process with drafts until the colors and materials have been approved.
Typically allow about 3 separate drafts throughout this stage. Depending on the project, you may need to include more. This is evaluated project by project.
It will only go to the next stage once the draft has been fully approved.
Step 4 is the landscaping and post-work stage.
Once the previous color and material draft has been fully approved, you will proceed to final rendering. This process typically takes 6-8 hours of rendering time through the rendering engine. The time required to render depends on many factors, however it is typically 6-8 hours. The final rendered image will be around 4000×3000 pixels in size. Again, if a larger size is required, you’ll need to know before the final build.
Once the final image has been generated, we proceed to landscaping. The image file opens in Photoshop. This is where you add the background, plants, trees, and grass. You can also add additional effects to the image through Photoshop, which is called post work.
Only use trees and plants that are real life photos. This gives the realistic effect to the image.
Also add the cars and people needed for the image.
Once the final image is fully completed and landscaped and submitted, you will have the opportunity to make 1 batch of changes in the landscaping step and post work.