Introduction to 3D visualization

3d visualizations have been used since the late 1990s, but the technology has advanced dramatically in recent years. As computing power increases and becomes more accessible, more designers and builders are using previsualization techniques to make their designs more effective. However, rendering flat static images is not very helpful. This is because static images don’t give an accurate impression of scale or depth perception—meaning it’s hard for people to truly imagine what their final project will look like once it’s finished. Our mission is to provide a solution that allows architects, designers, and clients an interactive experience of the building or venue before it is remodeled or built, allowing them to make design decisions in relation to LED wall integration. We do this by creating an accurate model of the space using a video game creation tool called Unreal Engine, which is being used extensively for architectural visualization around the world. 3D visualizations create a virtual model of a building or event venue before and during a remodel or build. The use of 3D visualization allows you to see how your project will look once it’s completed and allows you to make decisions about lighting, audio-video systems, LED walls, and acoustics integration before construction begins.

Getting Started

In order for us to create an accurate representation of your space, we need certain information about your building or event venue such as size, location, and layout plans along with images of existing physical spaces so our team can create accurate representations.

The first step is to collect the information needed for architectural previs. This includes:

-A floor plan of your building or event venue.

-A site plan showing where buildings are located in relation to each other.

-An aerial view of the site.

-Any images or videos that you have that show different angles of your space, such as from inside or outside.

Once we have all of this information, we can start creating your virtual reality. Our team will take the information provided and turn it into a 3D model that can be viewed from any angle possible. We can deliver this model to you in a variety of ways:

-Use the model to create legacy content such as renders for printed materials and imagery to show online and on stage.

-We can create videos that fly through and around your venue to show specific viewing angles and allow you to get a feel for the location and size of your building

-We can sit with you and your team and look through the model in real-time to explore your space and allow your team to collaborate with an accurate model of your space. You can look at room sizes, traffic flow inside and outside your building, meeting spaces, common areas, and design the layout of tech booths and back rooms, all without physically building anything.

-We can model your event spaces with realistic DMX-controlled theatrical lighting, pixel-accurate LED walls and volumes, and accurate colors and textures for walls, carpets, seats, curtains, and more. This allows you to design your stage before it’s built. You can rest easier, knowing you’ve made educated decisions based on the best information possible. The only limit to detail is how much time you want to spend.

During Construction

We all know that a construction project never goes according to the first plan. Our models are consistently updated and used to create accurate representations of progress throughout the project. The previs is used to show clients and contractors what decisions are being made during construction so everyone understands where things are headed, as well as plan for upcoming construction activities.

Leadership and the General Contractor are able to have a model that they both visually and spatially understand. It’s hard to envision a room when you’re only looking at construction documents and a GC won’t always understand why you need things located in certain places based on lighting positions or hang points for line arrays.

The renders will also provide your team with direction on purchases that they will be making, such as furniture, signage, and paint colors. You will know what the lighting looks like in your atrium because it is realistically modeled. You will know how many couches to purchase because you can lay them out in different configurations in the actual space that they are going to live in. If changes are made during construction, you can quickly make accurate decisions because the model can be updated in near real-time.

Wrapping Up

Using tools like Unreal Engine and Twin Motion allows us to engage with our clients in new ways that help them understand their vision, visualize progress and make better-informed decisions throughout the design and build process. We are excited to continue to see how these tools help us better understand our clients’ needs. We believe that using 3D visualizations as a tool for architectural previs will continue to be an integral part of our work moving forward.