Modern-day architecture can’t be separated from CGI. Life-like imagery helps artists bridge the gap between abstract visions and impatient clients, build impressive portfolios, and experiment with new ideas. 3D renderings can turn your architectural design into artwork regardless of project specifics.
Architecture’s two dimensions – interior and exterior – benefit from CGI equally.
Today we’ll talk more about the nature of exterior CGI, a dimension that is often wrongfully neglected. Due to the widespread appeal and approachability of interior design, exteriors are usually overlooked and left to professionals. In reality, the quality of exterior design can make or break your entire project.
Here’s how exterior renderings are made, for what purpose, and who needs them the most.
What are exterior renderings?
As their name suggests, exterior renderings are life-like computer-generated models that showcase architectural buildings from the outside. The exterior surface of a typical architectural structure includes a myriad of elements, ranging from building materials and façade to windows and doors.
Exterior design envelopes the style and arrangement of these world-facing components.
Exterior renderings display the unique style and arrangement of outside elements in great detail. They also show architectural objects in context, thus recreating a unique ambiance of entire neighborhoods. If there’s a special need for showing natural lighting and weather conditions, CGI can capture that too.
What are the goals of exterior renderings?
Some of the most important goals of exterior renderings are:
- Help artists communicate their vision
- Facilitate architectural collaboration
- Elicit specific feedback from viewers
- Improve marketing and sales rates
- Enable artists to make smart choices
- Allow artists to test and correct flaws
One major task for all types of architectural renderings is to help artists communicate their visions, especially when they are trying to pitch their ideas to non-architects. As a powerful visualization tool, CGI facilitates collaboration between architects, designers, and construction professionals.
Feedback is more specific and constructive when viewers have a model they can point to. The level of detail achieved in quality exterior renderings allows artists to test their ideas, correct flaws in the early stages of project development, and make smart artistic decisions. In a way, CGI helps predict the future.
How do they work?
Rendering is a complex process that requires a lot of finesse.
It starts with creating and arranging 3D models. The main object is usually created from scratch – using technical documents, site plans, and other construction documentation – while surrounding items are pre-made. To make accurate dimensions and proportions, CGI artists use horizontal and vertical axes.
After the foundation has been set, it’s time to add materials and textures, plus make the surroundings more life-like. Lighting and angles are typically the last (but definitely not the least) elements in exterior renderings. With high-quality CGI, the end result is usually indiscernible from a digital photograph.
Who can benefit?
All rendering projects have incredible benefits for both architects and clients, and exterior CGI is not an exception. But, high-quality renderings can also be used in real estate, construction, and marketing. Today’s audience is always in the mood for breathtaking imagery, be it authentic or generated.
So, who can benefit from exterior renderings the most?
Real estate agents
In real estate, renderings are far more beneficial than digital photographs. Not only does CGI show real estate in greater detail, but it also allows clients to interact with the space. In some applications involving AR or VR, clients can realistically experience the space without visiting the location.
Companies
From a business perspective, renderings allow architecture and construction businesses to test ideas, correct potential mistakes, and make smart investment decisions. Like in real estate, exterior renderings can also help businesses pitch different ideas to clients and fascinate potential investors.
Construction companies
Builders are well versed in reading site plans and construction documents, but they often need to see what the building will look like when the construction is finished. Exterior renderings can be of major help in this aspect, whether as a general architectural guideline or a reference for a specific element.
Architects
Nobody benefits from architectural renderings more than architects themselves. As an architectural artist, you can use CGI to communicate with clients, collaborate with other artists, build a portfolio, or market your business on social media. Exterior renderings empower architects to visualize their ideas.
Homeowners
Whether as architectural clients or DIY enthusiasts, homeowners who are planning a renovation project can consult exterior renderings for help. Seeing their visions come to life before investing in construction can save them from a huge disappointment, not to mention the time and money they would spend.
Potential buyers
It’s not only businesses that benefit from reaching a mutual understanding with their clients. The biggest benefits are felt by the clients themselves because the investment and risks are ultimately theirs. CGI can answer all their questions and silence their doubts, thus helping them make the best purchase decision.
Marketers
Marketing teams love gorgeous photography, but exterior renderings are even better. With high-quality CGI, marketers can cut through the social media noise, build an online presence, and attract attention. In marketing, renderings are used to get new clients and even pre-sell units before building work begins.
Conclusion
Exterior renderings help artists produce fantastic imagery that grabs the viewer’s attention. But visual impact is just one part of what CGI can do. Intricate and detailed, this life-like imagery allows objects to be zoomed in and seen from all angles. CGI is not only life-like; it actually breathes life into art.
Beyond architecture, renderings help create fantastic movies and games.
Any field that requires visualization tools that are both detailed and interactive can benefit from exterior renderings. It’s how intricate concepts are translated into elaborate pictures. The implications of CGI’s ability to create super-realistic images are incredible and beneficial in more ways than we could count.
