Rendering images have been around ever since the dawn of the new computer age of architecture. These days, stacks on stacks of paper diagrams, schematics, and drawings have all been replaced by computerized technology, which strives to make the whole ordeal easier.

All forms of design experienced a substantial injection of bright new amateurs, thinkers, and professionals, just because the software and hardware required to create the design are far more available and affordable.

Architecture and design in itself required much talent to write down and draw, and even more patience to see a project through. If you messed a small detail up, you could wind up doing it all over again. With CAD software and specialized architecture design software, fixing a mistake is accessible as a couple of clicks with the mouse.

Since this technology is far more mainstream now more than ever, many people have been facing the same problems. Rendering 3D images is quite a demanding task and could take much time to finish. Not to mention that it won't always work out the way you intended. That's why there are professional hardware and software solutions to make the whole job far more comfortable.

It's no surprise that they cost a significant amount of money, but in this text, we're going to give you a brief overview of what rendering is, all its components, price, and most importantly, does it pay for itself in the long run.

What is Architectural Rendering?

Rendering is the process of converting fully modeled 3D models into 2D images, usually in a hyper-realistic manner for presentation. It has immense implications in an abundance of industries and serves a multitude of presentational, sales, and design purposes.

Once a model is fully rendered, the small details become fully visible in a unique, interactive, 3D environment, which allows the graphic designers to correct or modify any single aspect in real-time.

It allows the designer or the architect to monitor their design in a natural setting, giving a presentation of how the design would look in real life. This is extremely useful for pitching projects, as presenting your design to a board is far more effective when it's done through an interactive 3D environment.

Alternatively, rendering a model into a 2D image serves a similar presentational purpose. When a model is rendered into 2D, you can then shade it and work to give it a new dimension, enhancing the chances of project approval and significantly increasing the quality of the pitch.

What's the use of Rendering in Architecture?

Rendering an image has extensive use in architecture. Generating a three-dimensional image through rendering software is going to give your architectural project a brand new perspective, allowing you to present it to a board and get your project approved.

Aside from project approval and presentation, the capabilities of rendered images and models allow architects to preview their design. It gives them the chance to see any flaws and mistakes before their final presentation and correct them accordingly.

There are many different techniques and methodologies used in rendering images. Some rendering techniques can create flat images, while others produce ones with basic shadows. After an image is rendered, it's essential to go over the image once again and add more shadows, texturing, lighting, and other elements.

3D Renderings in architecture serve a vital role in representing a project before it comes to fruition digitally. Providing an accurate representation of the project gives the revision and construction board a chance to observe the project in real-time 3D.

Creating an image with realistic lighting, shadows, and textures are going to help you make a realistic image for your presentation. Every architect's presentation and pitch consists of a couple of different things, such as:

●        2D Renderings complete with shadows, textures, and lighting.

●        3D Simulated environment.

●        A quick presentation/video.

●        Photorealistic images.

●        Creating floor plans, diagrams, and schematics.

●        Panoramic Renderings.

A fully rendered 3D image is an essential piece of commercial real estate, allowing designers and architects to make any needed adjustments to their design before it comes to fruition. It allows project managers and other relevant staff to suggest changes and modifications, optimizing the design before building.

GPU and CPU Rendering | Which One Is Better, and Why?

Rendering requires processing power; it's no secret. But rendering software requires quite a lot of power, and most software is set on CPU. Your computer has two different processing units, the CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is your processor, and your GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), which is your graphics card.

To get the most out of your rendering, you want to set your program to use your GPU. It will allow for quicker and, in turn, smoother rendering experience, which will significantly cut down on a long time it takes to render an image. Generally, using the graphics card speeds up the process as the GPU has far more cores than the CPU, which rendering needs.

Rendering a whole environment, on the other hand, is a different thing altogether. While quickly rendering an image for presentation is best done through GPU, rendering a whole architectural project which is far more complex is best left to the CPU.

That's because the GPU doesn't have enough VRAM for more full environments, while the CPU does. Rendering a whole setting and CRE project requires quite a lot of time and power, but also works to create a visual simulation which you can use to present your project. Humans are highly visual creatures, and presenting your architectural project in a simulated environment is not only advised but an industry standard.

In short, GPU rendering works far better for images, while CPU rendering works better for environments, projects, and architectural simulations.

The Hardware and the Price

The hardware which is required for proper architectural rendering is many, and it can get quite pricey. The leading hardware behind rendering is your CPU and your graphics card.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600, a good CPU for rendering, will set you back around $200, while the Intel I5, another good CPU for rendering, will set you back around $200 as well. You can, of course, opt for a more expensive variant, which will make your rendering quicker.

When it comes down to graphic cards, the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1080 Ti is the best option at the current moment. It's far more expensive than the CPU and usually costs around $1000.

While these CPU and GPU options might be a little pricey, you can always opt for cheaper variants you find. These are likely to work just as well, just slower and less effective. If you need something done quickly, you should invest in your hardware.

The Software and the Price

When it comes down to the software, there are many options for you to choose from. We've decided to compile a list of the five best software options at five different price ranges.

●        Maxwell – $520

●        V-Ray – $790

●        Lumion 10 3D – $1,644

●        SketchUp Standard Render – $99

●        Blender – $0

Does it Pay Off?

In short, yes. Purchasing and investing in high-end software and hardware solutions to your rendering is going to boost the quality and speed of your renders significantly. Having a great tool kit for your rendering is going to boost your everyday tasks, and provide your architectural company with the crucial tools they need to finish their projects.

The Pros of High-End Hardware and Software Solutions

●        Faster rendering

●        Higher quality renders

●        Better work output

●        Streamlined work process

●        Critical insight into your project

●        Better looking projects

●        Immense presentational purposes

●        Advanced lighting options

●        Realistic texturing options

●        High-end shading

The Cons of High-End Hardware and Software Solutions

●        Relatively expensive for individuals, let alone companies

●        Requires a substantial investment

●        Requires professional training

In Conclusion

In conclusion, having an arsenal that consists of high-end rendering software is going to give your architectural company an edge over the competition. Investing in such a tool will allow you to create realistic renders of images, and in turn, provide your employees with all of the tools they need to do their job correctly.

Since this is quite a substantial investment, you don't want to overstep your boundaries. Not everything needs to be the highest standard that the industry has to offer. Depending on the size of your firm and the demand of the internal operations, you should purchase rendering hardware and software accordingly.

Remember, if you can afford it, more expensive software and hardware solutions are usually better for your architecture company. The better the software, the better the product, and the higher the chances of approval!