How Architects and Companies Leverage 3D CAD Technology to Develop Architectural Models 

3d architectural modeling services

If someone told you 30 years ago that you can walk through your future house even before breaking ground, do you think you will believe them? Well, chances are you won’t. Back then, this would be considered as an out-of-your-mind, overreaching ambition. However, in this modern digital world where 3D modeling is everywhere, this is now at hands reach for you and your company. Constructors and architects can enjoy new opportunities that were mere dreams three decades ago and allow a whole new experience for your target customers.

Today, architectural visualization no longer requires physical models or blueprints to portray future projects. Architectural modeling services are made even more effective with the help of 3D because it relays and displays the concept in a better way. This leads to more engaging, more informative, and more realistic models for your consumers to interact with.


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3D architectural modeling at a first glance 

3D architectural modeling refers to the creation of a three-dimensional mathematical representation such as interior designs, exterior details, and building specifics such as visualization, construction, and its final rendering. Using 3D CAD technology for the development of architectural models allows designers to materialize projects regardless of material, scale, type, or complexity. It allows a lifelike output that you and your customers can explore before anything is spent on the materials and construction costs.

The biggest advantage of 3D architectural models is that they can accommodate both the exterior and interior of your projects. These models also make it easier to align or update some design elements or features before the start of the process. 

Benefits of 3D CAD technology for developing architectural models

Traditionally, creating designs and building plans can eat up too much of your resources, time-wise and money-wise. On top of that, the changes and updates required throughout the building process consume even more of your precious resources. This is where 3D CAD technology and CAD drafting experts swoops in and saves you a couple of thousands of bucks when developing architectural models with a considerable model with more potential and overall benefit for everyone involved.

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Accuracy 

3D CAD technology allows designers to achieve exact measurements of the smallest and most specific design details of the building with minimal to zero errors.

Animation

3D CAD technology gives you access to a more engaging and interesting marketing products to entice your customers with. It is used to create virtual buildings such as house tours and walkthroughs to give your clients a little glimpse into their future projects. 

Meticulous elaboration 

Using 3D technology gives you the leverage to greatly elaborate from the grand level design to the tiniest little curves and engravings that can make your project stand out.

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Efficiency

3D CAD technology helps architects identify potential flaws, gain insights regarding surface patterns, and create customized interior renders. 

interior visualization services

Speed 

3D CAD technology significantly reduces the drafting and modeling time, making the 3D designers’ work more effective than ever. 

Reasons why 3D CAD technology is important for architectural model development

Here are the main reasons why 3D CAD technology is an essential tool to help architects develop architectural models. 

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3D CAD ensures precise estimates

Measurements are inputted into the computer, and from there, the computer will perform the necessary creations and calculations for you. It helps identify any discrepancies in the measurement early on. More precision will ultimately lead to more precise initial estimates. This also cuts down the risks of making a mistake throughout the construction stage. 

The accurate estimation can also extend to quantity takeoffs. For example, when comparing two different materials, the structural integrity and price can have dramatic differences. The ability to render models with realistic representations of the strength, aesthetics, center of mass, and cost of materials helps clients reach informed decisions regarding the materials right from the start. This is where 3D architectural rendering firms proof to be invaluable.

3D CAD offers better visualization of projects

Money is always on the line in any architectural project. Executives should be won over, and investors require some impressing. 2D designs can only leave so much to the imagination that everyone might have a hard time visualizing the final result. As you try to win projects, start construction, or complete jobs, you will be in for some serious headaches in the near future if your clients can’t even visualize your design. Studies revealed that the spatial thinking skills of most untrained individuals cannot create precise 3D representations of traditional 2D sketches. 

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3D models give everyone the chance to view the project’s full scope. 3D CAD technology can be used to create walkthroughs and pinpoint issues early on. The technology also offers excellent spatial awareness. Aside from this, CAD technology also helps you develop more than a building’s blueprints. You can also add desks, couches, chairs with 3D furniture rendering services, and other design elements that can show the future look of a finished project. 

3D CAD helps save time 

Making adjustments and changes to the design are also faster with 3D models compared to their physical counterparts. If you ever need to tweak any design element or you wish to stick to a budget, this can also be done easily. It won’t take much for you to create several versions of a single design or make adjustments accordingly. 

Types of 3D CAD technologies used to develop architectural models

There is no such thing as a single universal way of going with any kind of 3D visualization. There are several ways of covering different project times, budgets, and applications. The following are the most popular types of 3D CAD technologies used for architectural models that you should master and use for your future architectural modeling projects:

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3d interior rendering experts

3D CAD modeling 

3D designers, architects, and companies alike use 3D CAD modeling to develop 3D blueprints for just about anything, including simple houses and skyscrapers. CAD or computer-aided design uses an intricate algorithm that transforms 2D drawings into 3D designs. The mathematical precision of CAD models makes them ideal for exterior visualization. It allows designers to easily change colors, add other design elements, and implement materials. This is why CAD models are often used in different exterior rendering services. 

3D interior modeling 

Designers use 3D interior modeling to highlight the best selling points of a design and pitch their projects to investors. There are no technicalities involved as it is only about developing a gorgeous overall look of the design. This also includes creating furniture pieces, adjusting colors and lights, and placing contextual décor. With interior design being the main selling point that offers the most value, this is something worthy of being covered separately. It’s also the reason why interior rendering services are seeing a high demand right now. This also goes for exterior rendering services. 

BIM modeling 

BIM, or building information model, is the oldest form of 3D modeling. This is also among the most complex and intelligent types that let architects, constructors, and engineers work together on the same project. Using BIM modeling professionals are extremely popular in architectural modeling because it helps designers produce and edit the functional and physical features of a project. 

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Unlike other forms of architectural CGI, BIM also lets them work on the entire building as well as the interior, which includes lighting, infrastructure, spatial relations, and others. This makes BIM universal in terms of all the steps in construction and planning. 

CGI exterior modeling 

While exterior and interior designs in architectural modeling share the same principle, it is never enough that they only look gorgeous to attract more investors. The imagery shouldn’t only appear impeccable because it also needs to cover the infrastructure, optimization, and eco-friendliness aspects. 

With exterior design, convincing investors to buy the property is never enough. It is also important to make sure that the house or building is practical. Exterior 3D rendering designers should then optimize the intricate plumbing and electrical systems while visualizing the quality of materials used for them. The primary idea here is to make sure that the CGI visuals are convincing. 

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Wireframe 

If you need an effective and simple tool to make a simple design presentation, the wireframe is the best tool to use. Wireframe is generally the same as edge modeling. It involves outlining 3D objects and filling that space between the wires or lines with polygons. This is the fastest and simplest way to visualize projects in 3D. However, this can be challenging to use in high-scale and complex projects as it may become inaccurate and time-consuming. 

3D CAD technology is a certified must-have tool for architects and companies 

Now is the perfect time to jump on the 3D CAD technology bandwagon if you haven’t yet. Although 2D drawings and physical models have their merit, 3D computer-animated designs are no doubt the future. They are cheaper and more efficient. But more than this, nothing can match the capabilities of project visualization. 

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You can give your clients the chance to go on virtual walkthroughs way before the start of construction. It saves you from the need to spend long hours to painstakingly measure drawings. If the client requires changes, the fix is also simple instead of several frustrating hours of reworking physical models or 2D plans. 3D CAD technology lets you meet design and cost preferences and effectively turn projects into reality.

How Cad Crowd can help

Cad Crowd is here to help you experience for yourself all the benefits of 3D CAD technology for developing architectural models so that you can get the best results as soon as possible without any time, money, and resources wasted for nothing.

Get a free quote today!

author avatar
MacKenzie Brown

MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.

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