Why 3D Rendering and Visualization Are, In Fact, Not The Same Thing

Digitalization of various spheres such as architecture and real estate has led to the rapid growth of 3D animation software and, therefore, to large numbers of rendering companies emerging all over the country. Without a doubt, this approach has already proven to raise customers’ interest and make them more likely to purchase the property. Moreover, it now takes less time for artists to produce 3D visualization services than ever before. With new tools come new terms and new names, which can often make it difficult for clients. So what is the difference between rendering and visualization, and why is it essential to distinguish the two?

As we take a look at the history of architectural modeling, we can point out that it has always been dependent on the newest technologies and has always improved as a reaction to general progress. If at first, one had to work with images manually and spend hours visualizing each architectural detail according to the plan, things got much easier with time. Not so long ago, it was photos that made the roots of these processes and that were used in both architecture and real estate. This had some advantages, of course, as one could show real images without putting much effort into creating a believable model. However, 3D graphics give you a much wider range of possibilities,  enabling you to alter reality and analyze hypothetical changes before they even take place.

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What Do We Mean When We Speak About Visualization?

It is not at all a coincidence that we discuss 3D visualization mainly when it comes to architecture. The thing is, with buildings, you cannot just wait till the end of construction and then see what one looks like. This is easy with smaller and less expensive products, which manufacturers usually copy endlessly after creating a prototype. With buildings, you need visualization.

The word itself gives you a hint of what it implies. Creating a visualization means using specific professional software in order to show the customer what a product or, perhaps, a building may look like once it gets finalized. However convenient it may seem, working with 3D visualization requires experience, skills, and knowledge, which is why high-quality professionals are in such high demand. Usually, three parts are involved in the process – a 3D visualization artist, an engineer in charge of the actual construction, and a customer who checks the 3D model to make sure that everything goes according to their expectations. In a way, an artist plays the part of an interpreter in this relationship and makes sure that there is no misunderstanding between the contractor and the customer.

How About 3D Rendering?

3D rendering is yet another approach that can significantly improve the communication between the two. It is aimed at making high-quality images so realistic and similar to photographs that it is often impossible to tell the difference between them. You need a 3D rendering if you have, for example, decided to build something and have a plan. Rendering will show you precisely what the building will look like when it is finalized, and you can use this information to make changes, improve the plan or sometimes change your mind about building it at all. Top-notch graphics and professional tools allow artists to include details such as seasons, lighting, or atmosphere and make the image extremely close to reality.

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Another advantage this approach offers is that one can make changes easily and conveniently while working with the model. Not only is it a great feature for the customers, but it also makes life much easier for artists. Of course, one needs skills, knowledge, and even talent to work to make a model come to life. It is rendering that has made it possible to include VR technology in creating walkthroughs, which took it to a significantly new level.

There are, however, some mistakes that could turn a 3D rendering or a 3D visualization into a disaster, especially if you hire an inexperienced designer for the job. In that case, instead of looking realistic, your image can end up looking underdone and weird. Let us take a look at some of the most popular errors artists can make when working with 3D rendering.

  1. Weird angles

When we speak about high-quality 3D rendering, using appropriate angles to highlight the benefits of each detail is one of the advantages we mention. At the same time, a poorly conducted rendering is easy to spot precisely based on the wrong angles of the camera.

  1. Wrong lighting

Illumination has a crucial role in rendering and visualization and makes it easy to distinguish good work from bad work.

  1. Neglecting the details

It is small details like windows, clouds, the color of grass, etc., that make a good 3D model visually different from a bad one.

  1. Perspective troubles

Regardless of whether you are working with architecture digitally or manually, perspective can either become your closest friend or your biggest enemy.

  1. Excessive perfectionism

Nothing can make an image as obviously fake as a perfectly blue sky, incredibly green grass, and perfectly clean kids playing with kites on loan. You want to make it look realistic, and reality is always far from perfection.

To sum up, both 3D rendering and 3D visualization are now an essential part of any architectural project. It has also become impossible to imagine the real estate market without any of them. Not only do they make the process significantly easier and faster, but the finalized image you get as a result of this work can also be as precise and detailed as you want it to be.

Of course, only a deep understanding of these processes and a high level of knowledge, skills, and talent can enable artists to make their thoughts and plans come to life. Therefore, investing in hiring high-quality professionals and top-notch software is the key to great results.