Adventures in architectural rendering
Updated: Jun 30, 2020
Early this year I have been researching new computer graphics software which will help me produce photorealistic images of my designs. This can be really useful in the design process to explore how materials will look in different lighting conditions and allow the client to get a better understanding of the scheme.
Which software?
There are a lot of packages out there which are now mostly subscription services where digital model files are rendered in the cloud. Whilst reviewing the alternatives, I stumbled upon Blender which is a 3D modelling, animation and light simulation package. Blender is actually open source which means that it is completely free to use, but it still remains a very powerful programme used by hobbyists and professionals alike.
Initially the software is proving very complex and would be hard to learn without the support of a large resource of training and information videos on YouTube and elsewhere on the internet. Having spent some time exploring the tool set, it is clear that I have only just scratched the surface and the possibilities are endless.
The results
Here is an example of my first render where I have modeled an existing farmhouse in Devon, ready for the design proposals. So far I have learnt how to apply textures to surfaces, model the topography and landscape, and setup realistic lighting conditions. My next step will be to experiment with different materials and backgrounds to improve the scene.
