This post tackles how to include people in 3D architectural CGI projects and its benefits for companies. Who can resist the real thing? Realism is one factor that architectural CGI can never do without. Visualization would be pointless if it doesn’t look real in the first place. Although it’s common to see CGI scenes that highlight a lone structure, an increasing number of companies have come to realize that their designs need to be realistic with a unique story to tell. How can you make these images look more lifelike, then? It’s where the human factor enters the scene.
No scene will ever look and feel complete if there are no people in it, whether it is a fancy shopping mall or a cozy home. It only goes to show that your 3D architectural CGI projects should never be without humans. Adding people with the help of 3D architectural visualization experts will also make it easier for your viewers to engage with the environment, even if the first brick hasn’t even been laid yet.
Table of contents
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Why you need people in your architectural visualization
It’s not just because of style that you need to add people to your architectural visualization. It’s also an important element that will highlight the functional aspects and important features of any architectural project. Adding people is of utmost importance to any architectural CGI project because of the following reasons:
Composition and aesthetics
Your archviz needs compositional elements, and people happen to be among them. Strategic placements of people will direct the eyes of the viewers to the right spots. It will also make your composition look more harmonious and pleasing to the eyes.
Realism and context
This right here is the main reason why the 3D visualization designer should add people to your architectural visualization. No matter what scenes you have, human figures can give users a sense or context of real life. They offer a visual narrative of how the space can be used and tell the unique story of the environment. Think of this as a way of unleashing the imagination of the viewers. Amazing? Yes!
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Tapping into the emotions
Including people can also give your archviz a sense of connection. Those human figures breathe life into your scenes. Emotional engagement is one of the most powerful tools for designers and architects alike. The project becomes more appealing and relatable thanks to this, much to the delight of all stakeholders and clients.
Proportion and scale
Adding people to your architectural CGI gives proportion and scale to your scenes. Those human figures function as the universal point of reference that will help your audience get an idea of how high or how big the architectural elements are.
Culture and society
Several architectural projects should have people present in the scene to communicate their significance in both culture and society. Think of Shanghai with a vibrant commercial center, Los Angeles with a thriving diversified community, and Saudi Arabia with its unique religious space.
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Types of human figures
Now that you’ve learned why your architectural CGI should have people in it, it’s time to learn the different types of human figures you can use.
2D cutout people
2D cutout people are the most common types used by 3D architectural renderers you can add to your 3D architectural scenes. The cutouts are often used as flat objects in architectural visualizations. Though their depth may be a bit lacking, 2D cutouts are efficient and cost-effective to populate the scene with human figures. You can visit different resources and libraries where you can find a collection of cutout images that you can use in your designs.
3D-modeled people
You can also use 3D architectural modeling services to create 3D-modeled people with different levels of detail, styles, and poses. You can add them to the scene where they can have an interaction with the environment. These figures can also be used to cast lifelike shadows and make your archviz look more realistic in general. While 3D-modeled people offer better realism and more flexibility, their effective integration requires more time and rendering power.
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AI-enhanced 3D people
AI technologies opened the doors to new possibilities in enhancing people used in 3D architectural CGI projects. Several tools are available to fine-tune the appearance of 3D people to achieve better integration and greater realism in the overall design.
Artificial intelligence improves the model’s lighting to adjust facial expressions, tweak clothing, change the ethnicity or age of the characters, or match the scene. Thanks to this flexibility, 3D artists can come up with more contextually suitable and precise visual narratives for designers and architects. AI-enhanced 3D people also look more lifelike, even under intensive inspection. This makes them suitable for detailed shots or close-ups.
Custom human figures
3D artists can also customize human figures if they can find the right people in their 3D or 2D libraries that will align with their specific requirements. It involves tweaking how 2D cutout images look or refining the facial expressions, clothing, and pose of the 3D models. Customization of human figures will also allow you to make them more relatable and relevant to the design.
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Silhouettes
Silhouettes can be used to add more depth to the human figures in your archviz scenes. They are also a great option for scenes where the structure needs more emphasis. The use of silhouettes can add more human activities without compromising the visibility and clearness of the structure.
Renders without people
In some instances, less is more. It might be better to not add any human figure at all. This is an effective approach if you want the viewers to focus their attention on your design or some of its elements with no unnecessary distractions. The omission of people in 3D architectural CGI scenes will allow viewers to concentrate exclusively on the design and architectural elements. It also offers an unhindered view of the spatial dynamics, materials, and textures.
Techniques for including people in architectural CGI scenes
Since you now have an idea of the different types of people you can add to your archviz, you should learn techniques on how to add these human figures like a real pro.
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Blend with the surroundings
The 3D architectural animator should focus on key factors such as materials, lighting, and colors. People must look like they are part of the environment. Their appearance and clothing should go together with the design aesthetics, as well.
Integrate the right context
Factor in the specific context where you plan to include people in the architectural visualization. Do you want them to sit, walk, or just engage in the different activities available in the space? See to it that they fit cohesively with the planned use and function of the area.
Inclusivity and diversity
It’s important to ensure the diversity of the people in your CGI project to make it more reflective and inclusive of the real world. Highlight differences in ages, abilities, and ethnicities.
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Shadows and lighting
Shadows and lighting are two factors that you can never put to the side. You have to make sure that you cast lighting on your human figures in a way that aligns with the overall lighting conditions you used in the scene. The shadows that people cast remain consistent with the space. When the 3D visualizer company uses the correct shadow and lighting effects it will make the human figures seem that they truly belong in the area.
Storytelling
Your 3D architectural CGI projects should tell a story. Adding people to the scene will turn them into characters of that story. Factor in their interaction not just with the environment but also with one another. This aspect of storytelling can add more depth to your archviz and allow viewers to form an emotional connection with it.
Important considerations and challenges in including people in 3D architectural CGI
Although there’s no question that there are a lot of benefits you can get if you include people in your 3D architectural CGI project, it also has its own set of considerations and unique challenges. Don’t forget to take note of the following common issues you may encounter along the way:
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Stay away from stereotypes
Be extra careful about the unintentional use of stereotypes when adding different human figures and characters to your archviz. Observe respect and authenticity when you represent different ages, abilities, and ethnicities.
Take note of ethical and copyright concerns
There are also ethical considerations to remember if you plan to add images of real people in your CGI scenes. Don’t forget to acquire the necessary licensing for the images you plan to use, even more so if the faces are recognizable or popular.
Keep it consistent
The 3D designer should balance your architectural visualization scene. You might have a hard time balancing style and realism when adding human figures. You have the option to settle for a more stylized approach or choose a more photorealistic one. Consistency is and should always be your main goal here.
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Maintain a cohesive story
Pay close attention to the interactions and actions of the people in the scene. You have to make sure that they are present there for a reason, which is to improve the engagement of your narrative. Never use incoherent groups of people, though. If you want to put a street singer serenading in the square, for example, you can add a few audience rather than mere passersby.
How Cad Crowd can help
Does your 3D architectural CGI project look and feel a bit lackluster? Cad Crowd has the top freelance talents that will add the most suitable human figures to your scenes that will capture the attention of your clients!
