3D rendering is one of the crucial aspects of designing 3D objects. There is a lot of artistry, skill, and knowledge involved, and not everyone can do it. If you are learning how to render 3D objects or even fulfill your job requirements, you will need to know how to choose the perfect 3D rendering project type.

It is, in essence, more than 80% of the job done, mainly because you will start your project off on the right foot. Not only will you have a clear idea and plan, but you will also have an easier time getting things just right. Our guide will help you make the right choice, so make sure that you read it until the end!

What is 3D rendering in architecture?

In architecture, 3D rendering is the process of creating buildings, residential objects, houses, and other objects virtually. The designer will use specific programs (such as AutoCAD) and create a 3D image that others can evaluate. For this to work out, the designer needs to have sufficient rendering skills and a sense of art – after all, 3D rendering is indeed a form of art.

In architecture, for instance, the demand for 3D artists grows rapidly. It’s primarily due to the skill and expertise required to create an impeccable work of 3D art. Every 3D architect needs to:

• ‍Know exactly what they are doing – The 3D architect will need to know every single detail about rendering and their project for it to be a success. Even the slightest of mistakes can (and will be) noticed by a trained eye.
• ‍Understand the goals – One cannot simply render to their heart’s content. There are clear goals when it comes to the design, and it is the artist’s job to meet these goals. They can vary from overly complex and specific to simple and not challenging.‍
• Do the job right – there is a saying: “if you are doing something, do it right,” which applies to 3D architects a lot. They need to do the job right, or the projects will never get realized in the first place.

Photo 1: https://unsplash.com/photos/v4wkJKlcb_M

Types of 3D rendering projects

Here are a few essential 3D rendering projects in architecture you should know more about:

• ‍Exterior rendering – Many consider this type of rendering project the most important one of them all. Simply put, the clients would love to see the exterior of their future house or even an apartment complex. One of the best ways to do it would be to render it in 3D.‍
• Interior rendering – The second most sought type of rendering is interior rendering. The artists will render a room or an entire house so that the client can see what it will look like once the project is completed. That way, they will be able to suggest any corrections they have in mind.‍
• CG rendering – Computer graphics rendering, or CG rendering, is often used to render objects or even designs that might be hard to construct or even exist in the real world. While architects use CG rendering for advanced projects, certain filmmakers use that for special effects.‍
• Animation – Being able to animate something in 3D is crucial. That way, the clients can see the project from different angles, in motion, and get a better sense of scale. It is one of the best examples of why 3D rendering is quite useful in practice. Think about this one.

What is the goal of your project?

You need to have a clear goal set before you when doing any 3D rendering. Otherwise, you might make a mistake from the start and have to re-do the entire project after you’ve already sunk hours and hours of work into it. Since this is something you will want to avoid, setting a clear goal with well-defined milestones for your project is the most important step.

We highly recommend that you think this through to make sure everything goes according to plan. If you do this correctly, you should be able to start working on your 3D project at your convenience.

Another thing you might need to think about is what the project is for, who it is for, and how you can make all the requirements fit together into a coherent whole. It would be completely pointless to start something you are sure you won’t be able to finish, so try to keep your expectations realistic.

Photo 2: https://unsplash.com/photos/4UGmm3WRUoQ

If you take into account the client’s specific needs or the job requirements, you should be able to pull it off. Just remember that you will be on a deadline, so make sure that you prepare well for it.

How are you planning on marketing?

Placing your project on the market, or otherwise marketing it, is really important. You will need to create an idea you believe will work before you attempt marketing it. Otherwise, you might encounter problems, and people might not learn about your project.

If you are new in the rendering business, we highly recommend reading a guide about how to do it properly or finding a professional to do the heavy lifting for you. That will help you out a lot in the long run, and you will quickly gain experience and start building a solid portfolio.

If you decide to post your project publicly, make sure that it will reach the targeted audience. Think about who will be interested to learn about your project and who will help you complete it or purchase it from you. It is pointless to waste your time and not publish it somewhere where people who might need it could find it quickly.

Another idea would be to promote your services and look for potential clients and contacts who will help you plan and realize your project. After all, marketing and connections are two things you will need to start promoting your products.

The size of your building/structure

Dimensions are really important in architecture. Not only will you be able to see if you can complete the project within a given deadline, but also if the project would be feasible and lucrative. Creating overly massive buildings or structures might not even be possible due to laws and regulations of certain countries and cities, and you should take this into account as well, depending on your targeted location.

It is really important to avoid architectural rendering mistakes, especially if you are working as a freelancer. Mistakenly judging the dimensions of your future project will only make that project not fit for competition.

Even more, you will also need to think about not recycling the models when rendering. It can sometimes happen, especially when you are working on a large-scale project. Just try to keep it simple and practical, yet different enough to be considered good.

Photo 3: https://unsplash.com/photos/H0vuplqoX0c

We highly recommend mastering the 3D rendering software before you decide which big project to start working on. If you master the basics, you will be able to move on to the advanced tools as well. It will allow you to start working on large-scale buildings and structures and gradually increase their size. Make sure to consider this before you start working on something.

Interior or exterior?

If you are new to 3D rendering or modeling, you should learn both interior and exterior design. However, for your particular project, you might need to think about which one would be better suited for the client or the job.

If you are doing a project on your own, there are some things you should consider:‍

• ‍Work on something you know how to complete – There is nothing worse and no greater frustration than working on a project you won’t be able to finish. For this reason, you should be working on the projects you know you can complete. In the meantime, make sure to keep honing your rendering skills.‍
• Be mindful of details – Interior and exterior differ in lots of little ways. In most cases, the clients will let you know how many details they wish in both types of rendering, but you will still need to know how to complete everything from the simplest ones to the most complex ones. That’s what makes a 3D artist good at their job.

Animation or no animation?

It depends on the purpose of your project. If you wish to model or render something for your personal project, you can play around with it to see which one suits you more. Once you learn how to do it properly with or without animation, you can start offering both options to clients.

Photo 4: https://unsplash.com/photos/d2w-_1LJioQ

If the clients do not specify whether or not they want animation, use your judgment to see if the project will benefit from having animation. Of course, you can always hire 3D rendering services to save yourself a lot of time and trouble and to ensure that you meet your deadline.

Think like a client would think – take everything into account and make it as appealing as possible. It will increase your chances of completing the project.

What do you want your clients/stakeholders to see?

When you are working on a project you intend to sell – you will need to think about what the clients or stakeholders would like to see. Once you realize that, you should start working on your rendering project and keep in mind everything the clients would like or dislike.

You will need to think like your clients, but there is an easier method for this one – ask them about preferences and ask for as many details as possible. If you focus on that, you will do the project better and make the clients happier. As a 3D artist, this should be one of your main goals.

Another thing you should do is take as many notes as possible when talking to your clients. Take everything into account, then come up with a project that would leave them breathless. Practice makes perfect, so don’t despair if you fail once or twice!

Level of realism and detail

The levels of realism and detail are crucial for placing your products and making the clients happy. Once again, a good idea would be to talk with them about the desired levels of detail and realism. Make sure to provide examples of your previous work that varies in this specific field and ensure that you are on the same page with your clients before you move forward with the project.

Photo 5: https://unsplash.com/photos/2dwESWlazeQ

Keep in mind that the level of realism and detail can be very subjective. It will be up to you to decide how many details and layers of realism you wish to add to your project. It can range from simplistic to semi-realistic and realistic, so think about this one before you start.

Conclusion

To choose a rendering project for your particular needs, you will need to take several things into account. First and foremost, you will need to think about the type of your rendering project and its goals. After that, you will need to consider marketing and possibly outsourcing some of the 3D rendering work so that you can meet tight deadlines.

Then, work on fine details – the size of your building, with or without animation, and what you want your clients to see in your project. If you do everything right, you will have successfully completed this one. Good luck!