Rendering, its communication advantages and how it works

3D photorealistic rendering, the advantages and how does it work? Learn about 3D rendering using BIM software for architecture

Until a few years ago, the so-called “2D technical drawings”, dominated the architectural design scene. They were the tool with which the designer provided all the necessary gemetrical information: heights, dimensions, distances from streets, volumes, wall thicknesses, outdoor surfaces, etc.

However, these drawings left too much room to the client’s imagination. Today things are changing.

Thanks to the continuous evolution in the field of “computer graphics” it is now possible to obtain a number of unprecedented advantages, both in terms of design solutions and the capability of communicating those ideas through presentations to the customer.
In fact, thanks to the use of BIM software for architectural design, we can now greatly increase accuracy in geometrical calculations as well as the resulting BoQ data, together with the ability to show a visible photorealistic 3D view to the customer.

But what is rendering?

The term “photorealistic rendering” means the process that allows you to get a highly realistic artificial image from a 3D-based computer model.

More in detail, it is a computer-generated image following a three-dimensional modeling based on project data; The geometric pattern is coated with colors that are exactly the same as the actual materials (textures) and illuminated by light sources that reproduce the natural or artificial light sources.
If the rendering parameters are set according to those present in nature (amount of sunlight), quality of the HD textures, realistic perspective shots, etc. then the resulting rendered image can be considered as “photorealistic”.

So if a photograph illustrates something that already exists, a rendering illustrates an idea, a project, a model that doesn’t yet exist, but gives the impression that it does!

What are the benefits of rendering?

When presenting any type of design solution to a client, it’s always good pratice to produce highly detailed representations and illustrations of the entire building so as to give the right perception of room spaces or external organisation of the future home.

With rendering, even clients that hate the latest trends in technology development, easily see and understand the different phases of the project, feeling immersed in a kind of virtual reality where volumes, furniture, functional spaces and accessories do not yet exist. The customer is also included in the design cycle because he can even actively participate in the design process, propose modifications and see the results for himself.

All this turns out to be a great advantage for the professional, allowing to save time and eliminate all the risks of misunderstanding. Renders can also represent a great tool to publicize new projects even before building in order to find new customers and stimulate interest.

Here are a series of photorealistic renderings generated by Edificius the BIM software by ACCA software which recreate the interior and exterior scenes of various modern buildings.

Producing a real-time photorealistic render with a BIM software

Edificius is the first architectural BIM design software that integrates Real-Time Rendering and BIM to produce photorealistic renderings in a real time viewing environment.
Thanks to this dynamic integration, renders are no longer just a way to present the architectural design but become the most effective design support for choosing materials, objects, lights, etc.
The video below shows how easy it is to produce real-time renderings with Edificius thanks to Real-Time Rendering.