3D architectural renderings are images generated by a computer using a three-dimensional modeling software for presentation purposes.

Rather than imagining your dream house, you can slowly watch it come to life through 3D architectural renderings. That huge wall could look better in Venetian stucco finish or maybe aluminum/wood sidings with large fixed glass window panels. Or maybe you could hang a portrait of you and your dog right there near the living room for everyone to see! 3D architectural visualizations have always given the designers and their clients an excellent and realistic sneak preview of their designs.

The creation of computer-generated three-dimensional objects started around the 1970’s but, instead of renderings, they produced wireframe objects. Some years later, as the hardware and software improved, the developers were able to control the wireframe objects and move them in any direction. They added perspectives which gave workspaces their “vanishing points” which created depth to the 3D objects. Soon after, came colored faces on the wireframes, then, shading and lighting, then, textures.

These 3D modeling software were soon used for architectural purposes. Developers made software specifically for architectural design development and pre-visualization, 3D architectural model presentations, animated presentations, and construction plan production. If there is anything the client wants to change, the architect could just as easily sit down in front of his computer, redesign, and re-render.

In order to efficiently deliver their beautiful ideas across the client, the architects and designers move from medium to medium starting from simple pencil sketches to photorealistic 3D architectural renderings. Computer-generated 3D architectural renderings look much, much more photorealistic than hand-drawn renderings.

There have been an increase in the number of organizations from industries such us commercial, institutional, and residential that are using 3D architectural visualizations. This is probably because of the advantages of using 3D architectural rendering in client presentations and construction planning. Through 3D imagery, it can help buyers or clients feel what it would be like living in the property. This in return, probably increases the rate of sales as it creates a realistic effect. Hence, it is becoming a necessity for 3D artist and architects to adapt.

Architects, nowadays, pair up 3D modeling software with 3D rendering software in order to produce their amazing, photorealistic presentations. They use 3D modeling software such as 3ds Max built by AutoDesk, SketchUp originally by Google which is now acquired by Trimble, and Rhino which was developed by McNeel. They pair these with either VRay by Chaos Group, Maxwell by NextLimit Technologies, or Octane by OTOY, Inc., three of the most popular 3D rendering software. These software were developed further to cope with the increase in quality and services demand.

Clients are now being given renderings and animations that are very much close to reality. High-quality and high-definition 3D architectural visualizations allow the client to fully appreciate the grandeur of their future homes and establishments.