Most architects nowadays recognize interactive 3D visualizations as the most powerful tool to present their work. The effect of it on your clients is not the same as showing drawings and sketches. These engage and entice your clients on a whole new level; it makes them feel connected to the design as they walk through the house’s exterior and interior areas. Full interactivity keeps them immersed. The more involved they are, the easier it is for you to sell your property.
However, making 3D architectural visualizations on your own requires time, effort, money, and talent. Many design firms find it challenging to make these on their own.
Outsourcing work from the experts eliminates all your worries because they already have the talent and technology to produce immersive 3D environments—all you need to settle in is the budget. Sadly, the costs also discourage a lot of design firms.
Creating 3D visualizations is a worthwhile investment. However, there are several ways your firm can reduce the costs of producing one. Here are some ways how:
Almost all 3D artists request the technical architectural drawings of the project before the work begins. Nonetheless, they must read a detailed design brief to translate the graphics better. Provide the artist with this to avoid errors and miscommunication; this will help you avoid paying extra fees when there are additional minor corrections.
Design a Plan and Stick to It
Additionally, a good design brief contains all the essential information about the project, especially the building type. Is it an urban real estate property or a retail space? Where do you plan to build the structure? What do the surroundings look like?
Then, guide the artist on the ideal sequence of the scenes. What should the viewer see first? What are the locations and views you want to highlight? How are they going to teleport from one point to another?
Of course, tell the artist the purpose of creating this 3D architectural visualization. Who is your target audience? What do you want your viewers to feel when immersed in this interactive 3D environment? Answer these questions so your designer can provide visual references to achieve your goal.
In addition, indicate the required elements of post-production such as preferred background music, labels, voiceover, pop-ups, and more.
A detailed project brief helps the artists create breathtaking 3D virtual environments that match your needs and want. You will first spend time preparing this document, but that is better than going through multiple unnecessary revisions.
Focus the ArchViz On What is Important
Some viewers get lost because of their amazement when immersed in an interactive 3D 360-degree environment. They forget the reason for the immersion in the digital world in the first place.
To avoid this, ensure your 3D architectural visualizations show the building’s design. Make it the star of the show. This way, the viewers will focus on the essence of the 3D presentation.
When the budget is limited, ask your artist to focus on the critical points of the presentation. Short but interactive 3D immersive displays work and deliver positive results as well. If the budget allows, produce a lengthy interactive 3D presentation surrounded by beautiful landscapes with the home/building. Show the structure at different times of the day. Make the display jaw-dropping to convince the buyer to invest.
Use Libraries of Models
3D visualization companies usually store copies of 3D models of decorations, furniture, plants, light fixtures, etc., which they used from previous projects. To cut costs, encourage the artist to use some of the 3D models stored in their library. All they need to do is create a 3D model of your project, then insert the small ready-made 3D items into the scene.
This way, the company doesn’t need to produce 3D models of everything from scratch. This process requires less time and, therefore, money.
Please specify in your project brief to let the artist know they can use ready-made 3D models in a particular scene/footage.
Use stock videos
Some clients also request cinematic 3D videos with moving people and animals, which makes it complicated and expensive, especially when the artists need to create a 3D video of moving people and animals from scratch. To cut costs, ask the artists if they can utilize chroma key technology; this is a challenge because it’s hard to find a video that will fit in the 3D video. Also, most chroma essential stock videos are suitable only for frontal footage. But, if they can find stock videos of moving people on a green screen and insert them into the 3D environment seamlessly, then it could work.
Furnish and adorn the 3D scene
Another trick to staying within your budget is to provide the 3D visualization company with 3D CAD models, photos, and aerial videos of the construction site. Send these materials with the brief so the 3D artist doesn’t need to create one from scratch. When you do, you will lighten the load and simplify the work of 3D artists, which can decrease the cost of production.
Avoid the Rush
3D architectural visualizations are not overnight projects. These cost more when you need to rush the production.
Artists schedule their tasks. They can’t postpone the other ongoing projects to accommodate a rush project. When rush projects come in, deadlines become more arduous, and artists work extra hours to finish them—some need to burn the midnight oil and get through sleepless nights.
Rush projects cost more. Give artists time to work on your project to avoid paying extra fees.
At Interactiva, we want you to get state-of-the-art 3D architectural visualizations without unnecessary costs. We hope these six simple tips can help you optimize the costs of producing one. Contact us for a free quote!
