How Do Architectural Modeling Services Craft 3D House Models for Real Estate?

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Architectural modeling services is a secret weapon for architects as it helps them execute even large-scale and complex projects. These services allow architects to outline building structures and determine the appearance of the finished project ahead of time. Architectural modeling services also play an essential role in crafting 3D house models for real estate. With the help of these services, it’s easier for clients to trust a project because they can already know and see the anticipated appearance of their project in advance. Visualizing the realistic design will also help them make decisions for future stages. 


:rocket: Table of Contents 


What are 3D house models?

3D house models are models of actual buildings that a computer generates according to the floor plans provided. After completing floor plans and technical design, designers and architects will enter the data into sophisticated computer programs and start modeling the house in 3D. These 3D models are realistic visualizations of the building’s anticipated appearance upon completion. 

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Architectural model making professionals develop the models with different measurements, textures, colors, and materials specifications. Fixtures and furniture are rendered realistically. This is why looking at 3D house models is similar to looking at fully-color pictures of fully-developed houses. The only difference is that it’s often better because of the different angles, cross-sectional views, and elevations that are impossible with traditional photographs. 

These designs can be available and accessible in different image formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF, or TIF. Animation videos can also be made to simulate 3D virtual visits to the house. Although it’s cheaper to use traditional 2D plans, the 3D approach offers better quality and flexibility. Homeowners can also spot things they might want to modify before starting the construction work. 

How architectural modeling services develop 3D house models 

Photos of houses are often the first things you see on the websites of architects and real estate agencies. However, you might not realize it, but these photos are 3D house models. The following are the different stages involved in building 3D house models:

Developing a geometric model

The first step is developing a three-dimensional geometric model without considering the 3D house model’s physical properties. Several methods can be used here, including rotation, polygonal modeling, extrusion, and modifiers. 

Object texturing

A 3D house model’s realism level directly depends on the materials chosen when developing the textures. Today’s professional programs used to work with three-dimensional graphics offer almost unlimited possibilities for creating realistic images. This is why 3D house models often look like the real thing. 

Observation point and light setting

Setting the observation point and light is one of the trickiest phases of developing 3D house models. After all, the house model’s realistic perception depends a lot on the choice of brightness level, depth and sharpness of shadows, and light tone. The architectural visualization designer also need to choose an observation point for the model. This can be the usual bird’s eye view of the scaling of the space using the presence effect with a view similar to that of human eyes.

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3D rendering or visualization 

This is, so far, the last stage of the actual 3D modeling process. It involves the detailed settings for the display of the 3D model. It means that graphic special effects are added at this point, including radiance, glare, fog, and more. As for video rendering, it’s also the time to determine the exact parameters for the 3D house model animation, such as the glow, timing for color changes, and others. 

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Post-production

Post-production involves the processing of video and captured images using different media editors. This is when the 3D architectural rendering firm makes the final touch-ups to ensure that the model is precisely how the real thing will look upon completion. 3D house models and models of facades, different structures, and adjacent territories are essential for various purposes. High-quality 3D house models let you consider the pros and cons during construction planning and quickly address potential errors. These models also come in handy for advertising and marketing purposes. 

Tips for staging 3D house models 

Now that you’ve got an idea of the phases involved in creating 3D house models, it’s time to learn some tips for staging them.  Virtual staging for architecture firms use various software projects that allow them to create 3D house models. Their specific kind depends on the skill level and how realistic the client wants the house to look. 

Here are some staging tips to keep in mind:

Opt for orthographic choices 

Developing a 3D house model typically begins with using a camera that can capture images in 3D. The camera needs to be set in an orthographic view to make the most of this particular method. Doing so will help create a better perspective and allow identifying the location of the focal point to give more flexibility around how the model will be built. You can take various angles to create more wiggle room for translating every area of the house into 3D. 

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Make adjustments 

One of the secrets to creating unique 3D house models is learning when to go back to make adjustments. Since it’s a learning experience to create 3D house models, you might discover a structure or look later on in the process of development that you’d want to add to the other parts of the model. The ability to play with the design’s shape will help you achieve the realistic appearance you’re aiming for. 

Pay attention to the texture

What makes 3D house models great are the textures added to them. Textures create the illusion that the person looking at the model is actually standing inside the house. When adding textures to 3D house models, it’s recommended to use the geometry tool. This will let you quickly define the texture level you want and add any necessary additional shadowing. 

Use the text tool correctly 

Text tools are some of the most underused in developing 3D house models. But this can help a lot in creating attractive curves or intriguing shapes. Try to place curves before the simpler shapes and project these onto different angles. You can use the text tools to duplicate the effect and trim the edges to fit the actual house’s exact feel and look. You can use the same tool to lift some surfaces or curves. 

Refer to the blueprints

When developing 3D house models, you need to pay close attention to the structural skeleton and blueprints of the house. This is easier for architectural detailing professionals to complete as they have the necessary architectural experience. 

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More pieces for more complicated houses

While developing 3D house models, you combine various 3D pieces created beforehand. The number of pieces you need depends on the size of the house. As expected, bigger and more complex houses will also have more pieces. It will create a single extensive development. 

Give backface culling a try

Backface culling is a method essential for the creation of 3D house models. The method helps you add numerous shading effects that will set the point of view of the person who looks at the model. Consider how the shadow in the room will have a different look depending on where you stand. A similar concept applies to 3D house models. The shadow must change based on how the person moves through the mode. 

Use animation snapshot

It will be better to see how your 3D house model comes as you go along to ensure you don’t make mistakes or spend time on a spot that doesn’t work. To make it possible, make sure you use that animation snapshot button. 

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Seek help from squads

Squads are triangles with slightly irregular shapes that allow you to add dimensions to your 3D house models. Ultimately, these shapes will form a subdivision between objects in the 3D house design. Later on, once it’s time to add texturing and thin-down shapes, squads can also help. 

How Cad Crowd can help

Regarding marketing and advertising, 3D house models offer a better viewing experience for all the stakeholders involved compared to traditional technical plans. Remember that people are now more visual and social, expecting excellent service and more value every time. Cad Crowd believes that using 3D house models will become more popular and in demand as more people start learning the perks of these tools. 

The Cad Crowd platform is the best place to be where you can search for reliable and trustworthy architectural modeling services that can craft the best 3D house models for your upcoming real estate projects to ensure their success. Contact us for a free quote.

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Mary Mellionard

Mary is a seasoned writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in engineering and technology. Her passion for design, technology, real estate, travel, and business profoundly informs her writing, allowing her to produce in-depth articles on cutting-edge techniques and trends in architecture, engineering, and product design. Additionally, Mary holds qualifications in architecture and journalism, enhancing her ability to deliver detailed and authoritative content. An adventurous foodie, she loves exploring new and exciting cuisines.