3D Rendering or Architectural Visualisation service providers take two dimensional plans of future projects and turn them into computer generated, photo-realistic images and videos.

What is 3D rendering and why is it so valuable?

3D rendering experts create photo realistic renders (or images) from architectural plans - often for proposal documents, marketing or advertising. 

Whether for a new build, a full residential, retail or commercial development, renders bring the project to life, helping to provide a full understanding of what the finished building will look like.

The idea of 3D renders is to bring a 2D depiction or drawing to life in the format of a 3D image - often indistinguishable from a photograph. 

Taking it further, 3D rendering experts can turn 2D plans first into 3D renders and then into 4D virtual reality, video formats.

Renders, either 3D or 2D, allow for an incredibly detailed perspective of a scene or building - and can incorporate everything from local planting to clouds in the sky, moving water in a swimming pool, moving vehicles and realistic light and shadow at different times of the day. 

What are the benefits of engaging a 3D rendering expert?

3D rendering experts will transform design concepts into photo realistic imagery or video-format 4D experiences. So advanced is the technology, a 3D render can provide exacting detail - showing everything from how light or shadow will fall in different rooms at certain times of the day to the way different product options may change an element of the building. 

This can be useful both for the design process (allowing clients to make more informed choices) and for use as sales and marketing tools - providing clients or potential clients with clear expectations and a visual reference – something that can be far more compelling than interpreting basic floor plans. 

What do rendering experts do?

• Architectural renders

• Exterior / interior rendering 

• Virtual reality (4D renders)

• Rendering for marketing and sales pitches

In short, an architectural rendering expert brings the unbuilt to life in image or video format. 

Four important questions to ask a 3D rendering expert:

1. Will you be able to meet our required timeframes? Whether for a proposal, for marketing or to aid in design reviews, there will be deadlines that must be met, so it is vital that they can prove an ability to consistently deliver on time. Rendering is a complex process and can take some time so it pays to plan for this in the early design phase.

2. How have your past mistakes influenced your approach? Rendering is a notoriously difficult process to learn and involves some degree of trial and error with complex technology.

3. Can you provide a portfolio and references? Each project is different, but a portfolio will provide a strong indication of whether the quality and style of output is a good fit for the project. References will provide confidence that a person is easy to work with and deliver to time and quality expectations. 

4. What is your communication style? Choose a renderer who is willing to engage and collaborate as this is the best way to ensure your design vision is captured by their imagery. 

5. What type of renders will you provide - is virtual reality part of the service?

Architectural renders have gone from strength to strength over the last few years, with the options now much more advanced than ever before. Something many rendering experts now provide is a virtual reality experience allowing clients to ‘walk through’ their unbuilt home, even jumping into the proposed pool, or enjoying the sun as it streams through the glazing. Virtual reality for architecture has been described by some as an experience akin to playing a video game - walking through an unbuilt world.

Other professionals you might be interested in engaging include: Photographers, Interior Designers, Architects, Kitchen Designers, Landscape Architects.