It’s in our own interest to deliver the exact idea to the market. Have you ever wonder how this can be done exactly what you think? How can we deliver someone the project and they can interpret it exactly what we saw the project in our head? You can find the problem is quite common in consult session between architect and 3D maker; misunderstood the specific details, a sole intention that can be misinterpreted from 3D renderer. These problems do not base on the question of “What is it wrong?” but
“Why is it wrong?” in the process.
Think about it, if you want someone to understand your complex design, it’s better to simplify your project, break it down into a list of informative facts before having a session with them. “Rough story version” is essential for any receivers to understand the project easily, for example, what does the atmosphere look like? The character of the project? Where is the most crucial part that needs a sophisticated hand?
The reason for the simplified version is needed because everyone of us is different. We are different both in experience and taste, therefore the not-so-complex story can avoid the details that need to be elaborate which everybody can have their own version of the information.
Ernest Hemingway once said “First draft of anything is a failure”, the same can be said in 3D visualization rendering services. If you are a contractor or an architect, do not expect to get what you think in the first meeting with the first rendered image. It may sounds troublesome for you but do not worry, there are solutions to reduce the risk of miscommunication afterward.
It is called “feedback and references”.
The best solution to get what you want is to send your feedback to the maker; always try to add some comments in every parts of the project. The comments that work better than words are “image references”. It is always work best with 3D maker if you try to attach some images that refer to the project because each of the makers have different specific details in their head. With the comments and references you provide, try to sum them up in the simple and related version of what you think. The easiest way to get the clear result is find the similar image references which fit in your criteria. There are always the time that most of the architects can’t get the overall picture because they are always into their own project; always focus in the smallest of details, and find out later that they didn’t aware of the overall picture.
It is quite common that every architects have “a very high standard” for the final outcome and expected that 3D makers entirely understand what they are trying to communicate. But what makes 3D makers clearly understand is the lucid image references and very clear scope design from the architect. With these quality references, you can make the 3D makers quickly understand in the first session with them.
What 3D rendering made the huge effect.
Besides from many type of image references, the simple version of project story, it will save you a lot of time if you also prepare these information for 3D makers in the first place before having them do the job; the concept (keep it simple!), the mood board (a series of images refer to your project, it can communicate the appearance of space, lighting, texture, etc.), basic technical drawing (this is required to make the exact form and space you want, spend your time with it!), a complete set of design specification (type of wall, material of the ceiling, structure material, and so on). These information can be the specific reference when the 3D makers start to work on the project. They can disrupt any confusing information that would occur between architects and 3D makers.
Summary
All of these are the communication with 3D makers in a nutshell that need not to elaborate by conversation, with these basic information and the experienced 3D makers can enhance your management and reduce the errors that could occur along the way no matter who you are working with. So be prepared and keep it simple when it comes to communication with 3D makers.
If you happened to be in Taj Mahal museum like us, you’ll see that there were many perspective drawings to be references for construction. These drawings would be presented to Maharaja including master plan and elevation before the construction began. You may wonder “What is so important about these images?” Here’s the important thing for you, everyone is different; not everyone can imagine so vividly about what you are going to tell them. Before we go in depth about perspective drawing or 3D computer rendering in the modern day, let’s focus on its advantages, shall we?
What do we gain from 3D architectural rendering? Here’s the main concept;
1. For direct and precise communication between architect and contractor. You don’t need to waste your time to explain the plan drawing how it looks like. To come up in realistic solution with 3D rendering is the better way to show the overall information of your project.
2. 3D rendering image can cover some details that didn’t include in the technical drawing. The architects may also find the exceptional ideas in the 3D image most of the time, for example, the better light and shade to come up with in the specific space, sometimes you need to see the context of the spaces, the appearances, the forms ,not just the 2D technical to work with. However, it doesn’t mean that 3D drawing is the part of design development. We want to state that at some point, you can find a good use with these rendering images.
3. It can be explained to many people in different fields who responsible to the project. Especially, the one who have limited skill in technical drawing. As I have mention before in the last chapter, the best way to get your associates quickly understand is pictures.
4. The coordinate task with lighting designer can be a lot easier with 3D image. Lighting designer need to get the realistic sense of the space so they can figure out the appropriate solution for the space. The 3D image, for lighting designer, can be much more important than a master plan when it comes to find the solution.
5. The final advantage of the 3D image is of course, to sell the project! 3D image is the first door of impression before the clients get to know the concept and plans. The client’s mindset is simple; everybody want something look interesting, highly aesthetic, reasonable construction site. But before they can get into details, the final outcome must be attractive beyond their expectation. And that can create the first impression and good attitude of the client toward the project.
After all this, we want to raise your awareness toward 3D architectural rendering. With the right push and the exceptional 3D rendering image, the project can create the impact to the audiences.
For anyone who wonder about our career, what are 3D visualization services do exactly? Are they like some kind of draftsman for architect? To follow order and do what they have been told to do? We’ll admit that some parts are right about us. The first thing we know about this career is that it is a brutally hard working job for us. Although we didn’t get to design and develop the work, but to make things look like exactly what client assigned is also the tough job to be done. Let’s put it this way, the art of 3D visualization is like how the painter do the hyper-realistic portrait painting, to find out the exact proportion and deliver the exact features of the subject through the painting. It is a delicate skill that takes years to accomplish the professional level.
Anyone who want to take path in this career seriously, be prepared. Here’s the time we want to tell you what we have learned in the past years as 3D rendering team.
1. Be patience, take your time in learning CAD program.
In our good old days as the architecture students, CAD is the most frustrating things to overcome. It was like we were learning a new language. Microsoft Excel was enough trouble for us. 3D program? That is a nightmare! But let’s stop whining here, when you start to learn 3D program, the obvious problem that you would face is their complex interface and control command which are abundant. You may find those are too many to learn at first, but don’t worry too much, try to find the example or tutorial to practice. Once you do a lot of exercises, at some point you’ll grab the pattern of the order in making the 3D object. When we started to learn this, we spent 4-8 hours a day for learning them. So practice constantly and you’ll be proficient at them eventually.
2. Do it better, do it faster.
At some point, you will begin to get use to 3D program, but there will be time that you would find yourself clumsy when you try to find the specific command from the menu bar or when you move the cursor to the command button. For most of the beginners, it may takes 5 second instead 1 second to do this simple task and you may feel bad for yourself how slow you can finish the project. Here’s the solution to avoid these frustrate moments, try to use shortcuts in your process. Once you know how this works, there will be no trouble for you and you will work smoother than before.
3. Render time consumption; the wall that everyone must cross.
At the present day, every professional 3D renderers who started their career 8 years ago must pass the age of Pentium 4 processor. The old generation processor affect 3D rendering process to be the desperate moment for every renderers because of its time consumption. The reason behind this problem is; Pentium 4 processor only had 1 thread core to process the rendering task which is too slow to work with. Nowadays, technology has developed 8 thread processor to contain the multi-task and large memory processing task like rendering to be faster and larger in resolution in result. To put it simple, in the old day you would risk 8 hours of fine result or nothing. There was no tolerant because there were no preview function like present, but today you can work the same project within 2 hours.
4. Surprises!
There were times that we were forced to face a surprise; one of our computer was overheat. We were so frustrate about that, and that was when we learned “a file management lesson” in a hard way. Everything can happen when you work on your project, so backup your file constantly. Or even better solution, if you can, purchase the high-end gears for a job.
5. Quality rendering.
This is where every professional renderers are different. We spend time in the project, focus on the details, find your render style, your favorite setting, etc. After all that, post production is where the paradise is created. Try to learn image enhanced program to improve the outcome, and be realistic about it.
6. Practice make perfect.
Like we said before, spend hours to practice your skill set is essential. Do not hesitate to learn the other program to enhance your work. You can do this.
We have told most of the essential things for you. If you find yourself not good enough, try to learn from the other renderers. Sometimes learning means sharing knowledge, so work with them, learn from them, and you will be expertise in no time.