Blog.
My journey into CGI
Hi , I am Nilani Aruldas, an architectural technologist within IMA Architects. My first step into the architectural industry was a degree in BSc Architectural Technology and Practice at the University Of Derby and this is where I found my passion for my career path.
Ever since I started my journey at university I have had a passion for learning and adapting along side new softwares. The influence technology has had within architecture is huge, especially when looking into the 3D representation and rendering. So, from here , I am going to give you a little insight into my journey within Computer Generated Imagery (CGI’s).
CGIs are an opportunity to show how the building is going to be look and feel once works are completed. They are easy to understand and show an realistic visuals of the building that is will hopefully be constructed.
Revit
Digital design is crucial in modern architecture. Clients expect to see more than concept drawings, blueprints, and physical models. They want to see virtual representation that offer more detail.
I have started to explore the computerized 3D field while studying architecture at University of Derby. The software that I use is Autodesk Revit. Revit is how we produce our drawing packages and 3d modelling. It helps the clients and contractors to understand the project. Moreover, it also allows you to save time and have more efficient workflow.
Revit provides sophisticated ways to create models of real-world structures and buildings. We use Revit to prepare the building and the site model.
At the start of my journey into visual representation, I was using Revit as a Rendering software as well as 3D modelling tool. Revit took such a huge amount of time to render a single image. Sometimes it would have taken a day or more, and even a little amendment, would mean hours of extra work. The below images show some CGIs produced with the use of Revit.
As a company we adopted Lumion as a rendering software as this was a lot more advanced and designed as a rendering tool. This in turn was smoother, quicker and a lot more user friendly
Lumion
Lumion is an architectural rendering software that creates realistic visuals. It is where we convert a simple 3D model into a real-life representation. It helps to show the beauty and personality of a building or a site. The software allows the user to create a beautiful image, impressive video presentations, and live walkthroughs.
Making the architectural renderings realistic can be affected by several factors, such as context of the space. This means showing exterior and interior as it would look in reality. The advantage with Lumion is that it has over 5,600 items and 1,200 materials in its content library to utilize.
Looking at the images below, this demonstrates how these images can be altered with weather, seasons, and different surroundings and how this affects the final outcome of the image.
Lumion makes it easy to turn static 3D images into something more advanced that can touch on the client’s memory, experience, and desire.
University to now
My skills have been developed with a continual use of Lumion. At University, the time and access were both limited, therefore exposure to all the different functions was less than desired. At IMA Architects I have the flexibility and opportunity to develop my skills continuously. Looking further at the images below, there is a clear comparison of a CGI created at the start of my journey, next to the image recently produced.
From 2019, I have started to explore the new feature introduced in Lumion: Photo matching. This is a brilliant feature to show the before and after of a potential development site. This tool can also be used to represent potential development to planners for better understanding of the project and the desired outcome.
The photomontage consists of a real image of the site and a 3d model of the building. The process is blending the two images as one. The process blends the current site and the potential new building, bringing visual aids as close to reality as possible, showing the building, its surrounding and how the overall project will be completed.
It gives clients and subcontractors the possibility to see the potential of the space, and how this can be adapted with the infrastructure to suit their requirements. The following image has been produced through three software workflows. It was initially modelled in Revit. Lumion was then used for the surrounding elements and effects (such as trees, cars, people etc.) The final software used within the process is Adobe Photoshop for the final touches and to help aid the image stand out.
Early CGI’s to now
“Practice makes perfect” is the moto that I have been working with throughout my time from university all the way through my career within IMA Architects. Practice is the key for my visuals to be improved as well as consistently adapting, exploring, and researching the multiple uses of all these software’s. Sometimes the only way to learn, is to make mistakes and better myself from these. As you can see the two images represent the early attempts at a CGI and the current quality of a CGI created for a client.
learned how to use lighting, shadows, material lights and effects. There are no set rules or formulas that apply when creating a CGI and therefore you can be very creative. Whilst I am creating CGI’s I tend to find adjustments are made based on experience and the purpose of the image; each render is different, so there is not a principle you can apply to every single image. Everyone’s taste and preferences are different and therefore there are many ways a CGI can be finalised. Using the software nearly daily and constantly practicing and adapting how I work with CGI’s is how I believe I have been able to excel, I really enjoy each one I create, and particularly the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects and imagery. So again, practice makes perfect.
CGI’s ca be used for many other purposed and to find out more use the following link – Benefits of CGI Computer Generated Imagery – BIZAR (bizar3d.com)
This blog was created by Nilani Aruldas.
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