Benefits of 3D Rendering in the Construction Industry

Today, the world has grown so much in artificial intelligence that everything seems to be within our reach. Earlier, when we had to create something new, we would picture that in our minds today, we can visualise it not only in 2d form but in 3D as well. The most exciting part is that 3D imaging and 3d rendering is getting so much weightage and popularity these days, obviously because it eases all the work, gives you a better visualisation, gives you a vision, enhances the errors, saves time, saves efforts, and whatnot. We can see how all industries today have moved towards total automation of their work and depend somewhere or the other on machines. Having said that, we also know that the construction industry still does a whole lot of work manually. 3D rendering is a technology by which the construction industry can take a breath of relief because this will make lives easier. 3D renderings are not only limited to buildings or construction stuff, and they are all around us. Right from animated cartoons, magazines to billboards, we come across thousands of images that are created with the help of 3D rendering. 

What is 3D rendering?

3D rendering, or three-dimensional rendering, is a computer graphics process of converting three-dimensional models into realistic two-dimensional images. Be it big-budget films to small-scale advertisements, 3D rendered images are everywhere. To most people, it might look complicated as to how an idea in 2-dimensional structure can look so realistic as if it’s actually kept before us. To our surprise, the starting point of every 3D render is an actual three-dimensional model from where the information is being taken, and then skills and software do the rest of the job. Talking about what 3D rendered images actually are can be a little tricky because there are a variety of 3D rendered images that are flooding our surroundings today. On one side, where you see a typical image that looks intentionally non-realistic to others, that seems so photorealistic that even a professional photographer can be fooled.   

How does 3D rendering work?

Unlike earlier times when the use of pictures and videos were limited to high profile movies, magazines and billboards, today we see images all around us. Whether we play games, watch cartoons, see billboards or read magazines, we see thousands of 3D rendered images every day.  Thinking about how 3D rendering works, we will see a combination of strategy, software and skills involved. Not only this, but for each type of render you do, you would need specific tools, computer softwares and experience as well. 3D rendering is a detailed procedure that definitely is time-consuming; the whole procedure is divided into several steps that are:

• 3D modelling: 

This is the first step of the 3D rendering process and is one of the most important steps. Here, the object or scenery that is to be rendered is presented in the form of a digital model with the help of a mathematical expression. These mathematical expressions represent the object’s surface. There are several softwares that the 3D artists use to derive these. This process is the most important one because when the expressions of the object are accurate, then only a photorealistic image can be rendered.

• Lighting: 

 In the next step, the lightings of and around the image are adjusted to make it look the way it should. Lighting is again a very important part of the whole procedure as the lightness, darkness and shadows change the look of the image. 3D artists use various software algorithms to stimulate professional or natural lighting in the image. Different lighting effects like motion blur, shadowing, and light refraction are widely used to enhance the texture and illusion created in the image. Adequate lighting can also create perspectives that will make a 2D image look like a photorealistic 3D one.

• Texturing : 

Texturing is a phenomenon that signals our brains about how the object would feel in real life. In 3D rendering, the software maps, the texture of each surface is present in the 3D model along with lighting and all those signals that can make our brain realise its authenticity. You can make an ordinary image look like a photorealistic image with textures.

• Rendering 

The actual process begins in this stage when the 3D rendering software converts the 3D model into a high-resolution, realistic image in two dimensions. Now this rendered image is widely used everywhere and anywhere.

• Refining : 

Once the process of 3D rendering is completed, now we have the actual product in hand. Next up, these pictures are given finishing touches as per the client’s demands. These fine tune edits can be a combination of lighting, polishing, shadowing, texturing and adding photorealism to the image. Once all of this is adjusted and the artist is satisfied with his creation, the 3D rendered image is sold to the client or used for various purposes in and around.

Types of 3D renders

From the above section, we understood that there are multiple uses of a 3D rendered image. However, not all the purposes would be served well with a single type of rendered image. This is the reason why there are a handful of 3D rendered images today that are being widely used everywhere around us. Two types under which 3D rendering can be divided are:  

• Real-time rendering 

Real-time rendering is a word that explains itself. Upon hearing this word, you get a picture of a photorealistic image that follows your commands and behaves exactly like a real thing. For a better understanding, let us take the example of a game where you are controlling a 3D character. You give commands, and it quickly acts upon it, whether it be running, walking, sitting, driving a car or sleeping. All these are done by the 3D character in a way as if it was happening in real-time. These types of 3D characters come under the category of real-time rendered images. Real-time rendered images are produced through a series of steps, including the application stage, the geometry stage and the rasterizing stage. All of these steps combined with the best tools, software and superb 3D artists make mesmerising and breathtaking creations. These types of rendered images are widely used in games, marketing videos, architectural designs, etc.

Also Read: 7 Ways you can use 3D Rendering for Interior Business

• Offline Pre-rendering 

Unlike the real-time rendering, where everything seems a replica of the natural world and a lot of movement is involved, offline pre-rendering focuses on the perfection of still images. These images are often not movable but are designed so perfectly that they look more fine and beautiful than the former ones. As per the artists, these images can hold much more complex geometry and are even more time-consuming than any other type of rendering.

3D Rendering in the Construction Industry

In this fast-moving world, nobody wants to wait for anything. Be it a business proposal, marketing of a product or anything, people want everything to be done faster and thanks to the ever-evolving technology and incredible inventions that have boomed all the industries. Moreover, when it comes to the construction and architecture industries, they want to impress their clients in the best way possible. However, one technology that has changed the present and future of the architecture industry is the 3D rendering technique.   Today, the construction industry uses 3D rendering techniques to make realistic three-dimensional models and photorealistic images to impress their clients in a better way. Talking about the significance of this technique in the construction industry, the designers and architects can create 3D models and virtual reality scenarios for their clients. In addition, clients these days love it when they are shown the whole plan of their office or house much before it has been started.    When we talk about how 3D rendering works for the construction industry, we can understand the several benefits it serves. For instance, when the architects design the 3D models or images of their projects, they can review their plans and make changes if there are any problems. Secondly, 3D rendering techniques help the creators to understand their clients in a better way and create effective strategies. Ultimately the project outcome comes out to be errorless.

Top 10 benefits of 3D rendering in the construction industry 

Today when all the major industries are moving towards digitisation, architecture is a department that still depends on manual work for many chores. 3D rendering for architecture acts as a boon and solves the issues related to reworking, rectifying errors and client satisfaction. Technology has always done the best for us, and today the construction and design department benefits a lot from 3D rendering techniques.   Given below are the top 10 benefits of 3D rendering 

1. Attracts your customers

As per normal human tendency, we get easily convinced with what we see rather than what we read or hear. This is why schools and learning institutions today use virtual reality and audio video techniques to make their students’ learning processes easier.  Similarly, if a person who has visualised his dream house in his own mind long back is shown, an actual real-life model of the same thing will be overwhelmed. 3D rendering does this and shows the client their dream house or office from all angles. Moreover, With the use of a 3D architectural walkthrough, a potential client can even take a personal look at the project much before the foundation is laid.  2. Make accurate renders Architectural plans like blueprints, 2D plans, and drawings show a rough plan of the space to be created but don’t give a detailed idea about the height, scale, and angles. While on the other hand, 3D rendered images or models show the exact replica of the place and properly designed fixtures with accurate angles, scale, height and volume. This is the reason why 3D rendering is given weightage in the construction industry. 3.  Reduce the chances of errors It is a tendency that we commit mistakes when we have less information regarding the job. While on the other hand, if we have full-fledged information about what the project is about, what are the techniques, and other important things, we will surely make a practical project. Similarly, 3D rendering aids in visualising the models and images in the best possible way. Therefore, it helps us point out all the errors even before sending them to the client. Moreover, 3D renders are created using the actual 3D models; therefore, they are perfect. 4. Enhance your marketing:  We as humans get bored of looking at a monotonous piece of paper and listening to some facts and figures generally shared in architecture marketing campaigns. However, will it not be better to share engaging videos and pictures that will make the clients go wow in the first place.  3D rendered models and images can be widely used in presentations and videos for effective marketing as it will convince clients in a better way. 5. Cost-effectiveness In earlier times, only the big bull companies could afford 3D rendering services due to high prices. But today, these services have become cheaper and are cost-effective as well. First of all, this high-end software makes the designer’s work more accessible, which means no extra payments for overtime due to modifications. Secondly, a 3D rendered still image can be used repeatedly to create videos, virtual tours, panoramic views, etc.  6. Gain a competitive edge When you have a high-quality model and image creator software, you can impress clients in a quicker way than anyone else. Moreover, these high-end services give you an upper edge over your competitors. 7. Effective project presentation 3D rendering images, models, and videos are so well created that people indulge while looking at them. This reduces the designers’ amount of explanation to make their clients understand their product, especially if you have a construction business.  8. Impress your clients Construction projects are large projects, and therefore the clients remain vulnerable until the very last moment. However, with 3D rendering, these projects are visualised beforehand, and all the problems are rectified. As a result, clients tend to offer approvals quickly. 9. Make them understand better When we are there with a piece of paper containing a bland black and white drawing of the building, it becomes a little difficult for the client to understand the building’s texture, lighting, scales, and dimensions. While if we go on to a presentation with a fully prepared 3D rendered model, we might not need to explain much, and the clients would still look satisfied. 10. Make changes easily With 3D rendering software, resolving errors and making modifications have become the most straightforward task ever. This again brings customer satisfaction and saves from making changes on significant levels.   

What are the best 3D rendering software tools?

3D rendering offers the best of all it can. It’s affordable, user-friendly, easy to handle, time-saving and produces the best results. However, there are some essential things that are needed for 3D rendering. Computer software, necessary tools and an experienced 3D artist are needed for a perfectly rendered model. Following are some of the best 3D rendering software tools that are widely used : 

• Blender
• Octane Render
• Maxwell
• Cinema 4D
• Viz Render 

Conclusion 

Summing up, one thing is clear that 3D rendering is a real game-changer and is very much needed in all the construction industry brands. While it may look like a little bit of investment the first time, it is undoubtedly a one-time investment that will only be a boon for the company. From helping create real-time experiences for your customers to making errorless project plans, 3D rendering has all advantages and no flaws. Sooner or later, these techniques are going to overtake the whole construction market as it covers all loopholes and makes things more visible than ever.