You should be interested in 3D Architecture Models. Read on to find out why.
Architecture isn’t the only trade which has seen computers and tablets replace pen and paper. 2D drawings were the basis of every modern and sophisticated building structure. But 2D drawings are susceptible to misinterpretations and inaccuracies. And, they are also time-consuming and challenging to edit. As with many aspects of life, technology has made it easier to be accurate. Technology has opened a world of fresh opportunities for collaboration and working faster, precisely and effectively.
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Today, Physical and digital 3D building models are being adopted by architects the world over. Technological tools can help with every aspect of the project. They are used for taking measurements, getting design concepts and reviewing with clients. 3D architecture models have transformed everything for home building projects.
It is natural that 3D modeling should win over. Imagine a two-dimensional sketch of a person. Now compare that to a 3D rendering. Or even a 3D model. The detail, shape, and size are far simpler to understand with the 3D Molde.. In the construction industry, this ensures everyone from clients to builders to architects is all on the same page.
3D models make the process more professional and precise. They can make architecture products and home design a lot quicker, in the research stage.
3D Models and Digital Renderings
An actual physical model, was frequently needed to develop a complex engineering design. However, this was not always the most precise and powerful technique. With the technology now available, digital renderings are an attractive alternative.
There are many benefits of a digital 3D model, as opposed to physical. Using a model developed on software such as Autocad, architects and designers can produce realistic and impressive visualisations. These detailed and sophisticated models can be explored more easily by clients or deisgners on an iPad or even through a VR headset.
It turns out that this approach is a lot cheaper. The convenience of being able to explore on mobile devices means the designer or architect does not have to show their model in person. Instead, these versatile models can be easily forwarded on to someone halfway around the world if required.
Changes are made virtually. They don’t have to be performed on a physical sample. Alterations can be made as you move through the process without having to commit to a solid model.
That said, 3D printing is developing into a viable option for renderings, with some architectural companies adopting 3D printers to show their designs before construction begins.
Difficulty of Creating 3D Architectural Models
In recent times, software used for producing these types of models has become available, as has the software for viewing and leaving feedback. Anyone can download the industry standard software such as SketchUp, but this isn’t the only option. You can even download 3D modeling software or CAD software on your iPad (CAD stands for computer-aided design).
Much of the high-end design software allows you to even use your own photographs in the models which can help everyone envisage what is being planned. Features vary depending on which software you prefer, but some can generate digital renderings allowing you to present a ‘virtual tour’ of a building.
The difficulty of creating a detailed 3D model in advanced software such as Autocad should not be understated. It requires architectural knowledge, computing skills, and a technical mindset to produce a high standard design ready for use. That said, it has become far easier to get started, with plenty of software options and tutorials designed for beginners. While a decade or so ago you needed a top-of-the-range computer and thousands of dollars of software to even create a 3D model, you can now do the basics on your iPad or at home on your laptop.
Changes and Templates
Blueprints and other plans of building projects have been painful to change. Once committed, it was a time-consuming task to make any edits to the documents. 3D architecture models changed all that as technology has advanced. If you are working on a 3D project within Autocad or other design software and decide something needs to be altered, this is simple to do. You don’t have to delete hours of work or create another plan from scratch as once was the case.
There are so many ways that 3D modeling software makes this development stage so much simpler and quicker to get through. Being able to create and use templates is also a huge plus point. An architect can have assets such as room templates or even reusable templates consisting of elements from a building already created. Though every project is likely to be different, they can modify these templates to suit the exact needs of a client or a project and to streamline the whole process even further.
Share a Project and Feedback
Sharing a model, either solid or on paper, once would have been a difficult task, over any considerable distance. They have done this in person most of the time. An architect would have found it difficult or costly to show a client, colleague or anyone they may collaborate with such as an interior designer. Now, projects can be shared on smartphones. Many apps for viewing projects created in CAD software include the ability to quickly and easily leave feedback or ask questions. They can accomplish this while on site or in the comfort of your own living room.
Feedback can be collected, schanges simulated, concepts tested in projects, in real-time too. This is useful if you have a team of people working on a project or even just clients who wish to be engaged in the process from start to finish and see what is being proposed and created in a specific space. Having multiple sets of eyes on a project also reduces the chance of any errors being made early in the planning stage and communication is vital.
Sharing projects doesn’t just mean allowing people to look at them, either. If you are collaborating with other architects or designers in the home building process, 3D architecture models can be shared and altered online and sent to one another during the creative design process. CAD software uses a few different file types which are industry standard, meaning different architects can dive into a project and make revisions.
If you are working with a client, even one with little knowledge of architecture, they can download a project viewer and leave notes on the designs you created allowing you to go back and forth until you created something everyone loves. This workflow is simple to achieve and collaborative projects are one of the main benefits of 3D architecture models for home building projects.
3D Models as a Marketing Tool
If you’re working in construction or as an architect, being able to sell your ideas is vital. Home building for a client means you will pitch your design choices and a plan for development and show how you dealt with various issues in the proposed home such as planning regulations.
Being able to show a clear idea as a 3D model is likely to have impact beyond anything 2D would. 3D allows ideas to be visualized and communicated, plus add that extra layer of professionalism. Why is it so impactful? 2D drawings can only go so far in helping you visualize the plans. There are limitations. With 3D software, you can show things in immense detail from any angle you choose. You can do so at different distances and with the option to use tools like zoom and pan to see the design in a different light. The images are likely to be hyper realistic looking due to the textures a computer design program can create. A 3D model is easier to interpret and visualize what an end product may look like than any other method of planning.
Most architects didn’t get into the industry for marketing, but if you are running a firm or are self-employed, 3D models can help you pitch for work. They are far more impressive than historic methods whether you are showing a solid model or a virtual model. They do look better, and they can help to be clear with your potential clients. Meaning that potential issues stemming from the communication of ideas are very unlikely if you stick to the model. A client can see clearly where things are placed in relation to one another, the size and layout of rooms, and even fixtures and fittings if you included these within the model.
3D Architecture Models for Construction Teams
As well as being far less prone to errors down the line, 3D models are great for any team of people who end up working on the project.
3D models can show contractors and workers the plan and outline, giving a clearer idea and resulting in faster building construction.
In terms of design, software projects allow you to use templates and revisit other designs. If you are designing multiple homes with similar dimensions, you can even draw on aspects of previous designs, cutting the time it takes to create these models. A building company can build up a large base of templates to revisit and reuse.
Once a 3D model has been created, the most software makes it simple to make changes, this can also save time when compared to 2D drawings.
That these models are crafted and documented in software means that human error is far less likely. They are significantly more accurate and precise. 2D drawings can be problematic in this respect. 3D architecture renderings are created on very sophisticated software which should help you be 100% accurate and error-free in your planning.
3D Printing
Though it is quite an elaborate and advanced way of doing things, having a digital 3D model can translate to a physical 3D model via 3D printing. A scale model, they can physically see in front of you, is a great way to visualize. Thanks to 3D printing becoming more common, this is something you can turn your 3D image into.
This is another way to show clients and other professionals a design. Though not the cheapest way of doing things, it looks professional and many bigger architecture agencies will offer a 3D model before completing a home building project and moving into the building phase. This is a wonderful way to give a preview and ensure satisfaction with all aspects of the design before advancing.
Conclusion – You Can’t afford to ignore 3D Architecture
Architecture is not an industry where you can afford to fall behind on current technology. Everything is digital now and designing can be far more efficient. 3D design models can be built on mobile devices and tablets and CAD software allows complex designs to shared with more accuracy and collaboration than ever. A good model doesn’t make you a good architect, but if you don’t have a good 3D model to show what you can do, you may never get the chance to prove to clients you are up to the job.
3D models aren’t easy to create, the expertise required may take time to build up, but it is useful for architects. There is a lot of great software and information out there to get you started in using 3D models to streamline and enhance your processes if you are carrying out the project yourself and as the industry standard has become to use digital software, there are many amazing Autocad architects, agencies and designers ready to assist with using 3D models for home building projects in 2018.