What is 3D Rendering & How To Leverage It

3D Rendering. What is it?

3D rendering is the process of creating a 3D representation of a digital creation and transforming it into a 2D image. Typically the 2D image is then used to create visual aids and content surrounding the 3D model by using various views and perspectives. 

3D renderings can be made in a variety of styles, made at a variety of project stages, and created to show a variety of focal points vital to the project or element of work. 

We know that 3D rendering is a powerful tool for architects and designers, but how can we make it work for us? How can the everyday home remodeler use it? How can we use it to leverage our business in front of the competition?

With technology and 3D rendering software becoming more powerful each and every year, it’s actually more accessible than ever to enter into the rendering space. 

Whether working on a  personal project or a client-based project, people expect to see high-quality computer-generated renderings of their projects. It’s almost a requirement of most projects and adds a certain level of sophistication and quality that can set you apart from the competition.

If you are interested in 3D rendering, continue reading while we break down just how you can utilize 3D rendering for your next project, and how you can leverage this asset to help you with your clients, and your own personal projects. 

How Can You Use 3D Renderings For Your Next Project?

Whether working for a client or preparing your own project, creating a 3D rendering of the design is a valuable tool. This will help understand the ins and outs of your project. Having a digital element of the work you intend to create affords a couple of benefits.

Initial Verification

Easily verify you are achieving the look and feel of your idea. Create renderings at scale to help see how features work in space, how color pallets interact, and how floor plans and furniture will look. 

Work Out The Details

Build and investigate the specific spots that you think may look off. As you review renderings, there might be specific aspects of the project that are hard to understand. They might be hard to build or just don’t make sense. See these problem areas in a digital world where they can be easily and quickly changed. 

Incorporate The Real World 

See your project at various times of the day, and create a realistic backdrop. Add the wow factor and see how your project will look in its planned space. How will it look at sunset? Sunrise? After the landscaping is all in? Develop a 3D rendering to show off these aesthetic aspects.

Get Client Buy-In 

Nothing is better than watching a client’s eyes pop when your design first comes across the screen. 3D renderings are a great way to build and tweak ideas. Achieve the client’s goals while avoiding costly construction changes later on. 

How Can You Leverage 3D Renderings? 

Utilize 3D renderings at the early stages of a project. In doing so, there is an opportunity to get buy-in from the stakeholders. Showing off high-quality 3D renderings not only conveys the design intent but gives clients the ability to see themselves in the space. Gives them the opportunity to latch on to the idea and build interest. 

Leverage your 3D renderings as a way to brand and market your project. Use it as a way to convey ideas and visions, as a way to generate interest, and most of all gain buy in to keep the project moving forward. 

Having high-quality renderings even before you are awarded a project can set you apart. If you are willing to put in the effort to be considered for the project? What value can you add to the project once it’s awarded to you? You can see where this shows initiative and a sense of professionalism.

What Is 3D Rendering Used For?

Today people use 3D rendering technology for tons of different applications. 3D rendering can be used in the creative space like incorporating digital items like apples or bikes into advertising or content. You can see 3D renderings being used in video games and other animation programs.

How Do Architects Use 3D Rendering?

Incorporating 3D rendering in architectural work is almost a requirement in the modern era. As mentioned earlier, people and clients want and need to see their projects drawn and modeled to scale in a digital space. 

With the average construction cost of homes alone averaging 100 to 200 per square foot. Residential and commercial projects cost more than ever. So you can see how knowing exactly how things will look before it’s built can be well worth the effort. 

By using 3D rendering and using it well, the benefits outweigh the cost of creating these models. Creating 3D renderings or architectural projects, whether your own or for a client is beneficial in a variety of ways. 

Some ways we mentioned above. Other ways they benefit architectural projects vary. For instance, you can use 3D renderings to;

• Convey construction information to the builder. Save time and money in construction with a near-picture-perfect representation of the build.

• Create detailed renderings to help show complex design concepts. This is an opportunity to associate a cost with the idea giving you or the client the opportunity to weigh the cost benefits with as much information as possible. 
• Boost your firm’s local presence. Large building projects are typically shown in newspapers, on websites, and on billboards at the construction site. Providing high-quality renderings is a great marketing tool for your company. 

How Do Interior Designers Use 3D Renderings?

Interior designers, much like architects, rely on their 3D renderings to help convey their design intent. However one could argue that the interior designer might rely on 3D renderings more so than the architect.

Homeowners and business owners alike want to visualize their space. Culminating a design into the perfect space, the perfect atmosphere, and creating an immediate connection with customers is crucial for the business owner as people are gravitating towards experiences over cheap and easy. 

3D renderings help a space come to life in the digital sense before any money is spent on materials. This gives businesses and homeowners the chance to change their minds and tweak and adjust little things so when construction finally starts, they know they are getting exactly what they want. 

What is the difference between 3D rendering and 3D modeling?

As we mentioned before, a 3D rendering is a digital 3D image that is transcribed into a 2D space. Where does the 3D image come from? Well, we have to create it right? That’s where 3D modeling comes into play. The good news is that these two different tasks are very interconnected and you can find a lot of software that can actually do both in some respects. 

Premier 3D rendering programs offer add-ons and can easily integrate file types from 3D modeling software. 

3D modeling is the act of actually creating the digital content or design while 3D rendering is as you know taking the 3D model and sprucing it up a little bit and converting it into a 2D image. 

Is 3D rendering easy to learn?

Like most things, there is a learning curve with 3D rendering. Most people understand the general concepts and basic principles of the software after a few weeks. After this time, you should focus on honing your skills and mastering the software. This is when you will see an improvement in your finished product. 

If you are taking the time to learn the rendering software, it might also be worth considering learning how to use a 3D modeling program or two. Since these two programs are often integrated, having the knowledge of both programs not only boosts your value as a designer but also will help you clean up incorrect model elements, giving your renderings a certain level of quality you may not get otherwise. 

What Is Needed For 3D Rendering?

As you might expect, 3D rendering is a graphically intense activity. Much like your favorite video game or photo editor, 3D rendering programs will utilize large amounts (or all) of your graphics card capacity. Look for a computer or laptop with some substantial specifications to help your work go smoothly. 

In addition to the graphics card, a good RAM capacity and CPU are also important to have on your computer. Dealing with large models can eat up a lot of your computer’s processing power. Having enough capacity and then some will keep you from falling behind technology for a few years. 

Types Of Rendering Use By Architects And Interior Designers

Interior Rendering – Residential

Owning a home is often a dream come true for many. Having the opportunity to redesign a space or create something new is an exciting experience. Creating renderings of a home lets the potential homeowner visualize their life in the space.

Residential interior renderings typically focus on the important rooms like the kitchen, living room, and primary bedroom and bathroom. 

Interior Renderings – Commercial

As mentioned earlier, interior designers use interior renderings to help their clients visualize their space. Addressing these interior commercial renderings with a sense of importance shows that you care about the client’s vision as much as they do. 

Product Renderings

As designers work with clients to create the perfect rendering, they often come across unique items that need to be created digitally. Creating 3D models and renderings of these products lets you bring these into a design. These can be the focal point of a client’s ideas. Getting these focal elements just right can really sell a design. 

Aerial Renderings

Use aerial renderings to look at the project from a bird’s eye view. See if things flow and mesh together. You can use aerial rendering if you are looking at master planning, looking at the flow of the site, or just want to see how the google maps satellite image will look in the future. 

3D Floor Plan Renderings

For people that don’t work in the design industry might have a hard time understanding or visualizing 2D floor plans. They might understand the general layout of a design, but the scale and perceived size of rooms can take time to develop.

Providing 3D floor plans can be a great 3D rendering solution. Incorporating the floor plan, windows, walls, and doors in a 3D sense is another way to help clients see themselves in the space.

Exterior Commercial Renderings

Showing off the look of the building from the perspective of someone walking in the main entrance, or pulling into the parking lot can help your client tailor their customer experience and also achieve the look and feel of the business they are starting. 

Exterior Residential Renderings

Much like exterior commercial renderings, new construction or renovation projects with 3D renderings have an extra flair on real estate websites. It’s a way to stand out from the masses. The black-and-white front elevation of the construction drawings as a cover photo just won’t cut it these days. Taking the time to create high-quality renderings can set you apart from other builders. Let people ask themselves – if the builder takes the time to make these high-quality renderings, how much care and effort will they put into the actual build process? 

The Wrap-Up

3D rendering has come a long way. There are a lot of different opportunities to incorporate these renderings into your business and leverage yourself above the competition. Taking the time to create these high-quality renderings affords you many opportunities. 

Remember with 3D rendering, you can;

• Visualize problems before constriction
• Convey information to a builder
• Help clients achieve the desired atmosphere and look of a space
• Get buy-in from clients and stakeholders
• Use images as a marketing tool for your business

Next time you are working on a project and looking to save time or show off a design, think about creating a 3D rendering.