4 things to consider employing 3D renderers for your project.

You may come across the various rendered images which are published in the project homepage or CG magazine and even wonder that which one is the good or bad. Like many projects in other fields, there will always have time frame for us 3D renderers to manage the priorities. And due to time frame, 3D renderers need to push themselves hard for the best result rendering. This is where the differences happen. In the most of our experiences, we have learned that the most important part we’ve played in this business is to optimize the time frame and workload of the designers and architects. So the question is not about “Which rendering team can generate the best rendered product for their clients?” but “Which one of us can provide the best solution for our clients at time?” And what is the best solution consist of exactly? Here’s the factors:

1. Resolution
Like photography, the art of 3D visualization consist of polygon unit that build up the desired shapes and forms. A good photo in technical term can be identified with pixels, color, sharpness, etc. But in 3D making, the resolution of the model can be identified from the polygon tiling in CAD program. Is it smooth? Are there any leakages between the tiles? Does the details clarify? These are the questions that you need to ask to yourself when consider what is good and bad rendering. A good high resolution model should have virtual details even in the small spots.

2. Details of materials
It is quite common problem for the rendered images that doesn’t match the actual model because images used in such model are duplicated and the materials aren’t consistent with the overall atmosphere. In the 3D visualizer point of view, it is our job to make the model look interesting and realistic even your original file consisted of one material. We have to be aware of the nature of material, for example, cement; how does it look like in the shadow? What kind of cement that is used in the specific area and what is the characteristic of that cement’s texture?

3. Lighting & coloring
Lighting and color tone play a crucial factor in 3D rendering. From our perspective, lighting is the mean to convey the mood message of the project. So it should be the daily practice for 3D visualization team to tune up with the clients what is going to be the main ambient of the project. The ambient that is created in the project can elevate the main concept of the project to the certain audiences. Fail to build up the ambient in the rendering may cause the awful result, for example, you may not want to create the strong sunlight atmosphere in the resort or hotel project because it can cause negative feeling in the audience mind who see the space like resort hotel for relaxation. So when you come across a series of perspective works, we insist you to looking for the harmony of the overall project. A good project can convey what designer want the audience to feel toward the work.

4. Render Quality
Rendering is the fundamental skill for every 3D visualizer. The successful team spend their time on details to create the harmony and desired ambient on the project. Shadow, characteristic of light, realistic and practical textures, color scheme for the atmosphere — all of these elements are in need of the attention of the makers. Furthermore, a good rendering image should be made to compatible for any further usage like printing or screening uses.

Prepare for the meeting: technical terms in 3D visualization business.

We are wondering for quite some time that you, our dear readers, have some unique terms to describe the things around you in daily life? In your office while you have a session with the colleagues?  We bet you have more or less. In our line of work too, there are some specific language to communicate within the group. 3D visualization business also have many technical terms which are used in the meeting session or brainstorming. Some of terms, for the contractor, either you are architect or business manager, before you make a contact with 3D team, you should understand their relativity and meaning. And these are 5 most used terms in our field.

1. Model
It is described as the word say, “model”. In 3D making, the word “model” means a virtual substance that is created by computer aid design program (CAD). It is also included everything that can be modified and the downloaded virtual landscape from Google earth or Google map.

2. Material
Material means the surface image of material that you specify in the project to create the understanding of the project. For instance, a box is added with the image on all of its faces that looks like a brick texture. That box can be described as a brick.

3. Lighting
There are 3 types of lighting in 3D visualization:

Natural lighting: It is described as sunlight or sky light like we see in our daily life.
Atmosphere lighting: this may be quite subtle, but try to think about the filter in “Instagram” when you are about to publish your favorite image on the social network. The atmosphere lighting creates the emotion via color, noise, texture, and light itself to create the realistic
feeling when you are in the night club, resort, spa, etc.
Artificial lighting: It may refer to the light that is created by bulbs, internal lighting,
decorative lighting, etc.

4.       Render
Render is the process of production that creates the complete perspective from the origin model and the specified materials and lighting by computer. It is the execute command in our field. The result is the nice 3D perspective image for the final touch. Before we deliver it to our clients.

5. Retouch
Retouch or post processing is the final stage of the 3D visualization. With the proper skill and a good pair of eyes, we can enhance the unrealistic image from the render to be the realistic one by any photo enhancement program. To be specific, we have to work on the detail of the shadow, lighting and texture of the image to create the satisfied result.

3 main reason to cause setback in 3D rendering project.

Time is the invaluable resource that everybody need to manage to achieve their goals. But it is quite often that in 3D rendering process get caught up in the middle of something either by our own doing, the contractor’s or the performance of equipment. Even though the end result is satisfied for both contractor and 3D render team, but if you look at the overall picture, you may find it from time to time that the schedule is delayed for any reasons. As our careers go, we can see the frequency of some causes from our session with the clients, in the office, and some blind spots that we overlook them. So we’re here to enlist you some of the major problems we’ve found and hope you will be aware of them when make a contact with 3D visualization service.

1. Time consumption in project proposal procurement.
Yes, project proposal as the starting point, telling your makers what you’re going to do with them is quite complicate than its look. As we started our career from interior design field, we can tell you that filling up the details of what you’re going to ask 3D maker to do things for you take quite some time. You need to describe your idea in your head and explain it vividly either by images or writing fashion. And that’s not easy.

2. Quantity
This is related to project proposal. The quantity of images you provide for the 3D team can cause you a lot of time. If you’re working in small firm, that’s fine. The small firm have the flexibility to execute the order faster than the bigger one. In the big company you may need to wait for approval from your supervisor and your super-supervisor and the big guy and the other guy and so on. Imagine the time you have to spend to convince those higher ups about the proposal. If there’s a large quantity of images need to be approved, this is going to take quite some time.

3. Difficulty and Details
Now that’s about the project itself! The more details of your work, the more time for data collection. Think about your routine in the office plus this data collection task, you may find it quite bothersome to finish this. But don’t lose your gut, take your time to finish this, it is crucial for both 3D maker and the contractor.

Work with 3D visualizers: 5 things you need to prepare the project for rendering process.

Today we are going to talk about “the project setup”…This is going to be something new for everyone who have never deal with this kind of service before. If you’re contractor, real-estate developer or coordinator, keep in mind that sending data files to a service unit like us is very important factor to make things smooth in the long run. So, here we are to tune you up with us 3D visualizers, to tell you the essentials!

1. Technical files: *.dwg, *.obj, *.3ds, *.skp and other 3D files
First and foremost; 3D file, it is the main thing we use to communicate together between our client and 3D render team. You can send the specific files without explaining the details. The professional 3D visualizer can understand your project over than 60% after opening these files. The filename extension we’ve enlisted are the most popular used in our field and mostly compatible to any 3D rendering programs up to date.

2. Scope of the project
We had encountered the problem that was caused by our clients many times; Information overload. Sending all of your files to us is not a productive way to collaborate. To communicate effectively and save some of your time, we ask you to open your project in PC, press print screen button on the keyboard, and encircle the spots that need us to work for you. The unwanted contents should be specified in detailed writing or image references.

3. Mood board & references
As humans, we have the different experiences. To communicate something very conceptual like idea, we need to find the common ground. In 3D rendering field, a clear mood board which present your idea is the best solution to communicate with us 3D visualizers. Additionally, to make your idea looks real, you need the references. The references can be a series of published project images that similar or related to your project. Besides, the references can be a commitment for the makers that what you expect for the final result. With both mood board and references, the 3D makers can work on the project conveniently.

4. Rough sketch
From our experiences, in the beginning of the project from our side, mostly are worked with uncompleted 3D file. So, in order to be concise, the responsible person should send some sketches of the additional part for explaining the details.

5. Camera view
This can be overlooked by many people. When you work on your project, don’t forget to set your desired camera angle. No matter how the high resolution work you obtained, if your work cannot bring the most featured details of your project, the first impression is gone. Attractiveness of your image mostly depends on camera angle. The preset camera angle from our client can save time for both 3D makers and contractors.