Visualizing Architecture Presented By: Rasha mohamed Mohamed shaban By: Elizabeth Bollinger Web Address: Topic Number: 134 Date: 10 April 2002

Visualizing Architecture For years, Andrea Starkey had relied on pen-and-ink and watercolor to create renderings for builders, architects, and local home shows. But as computer technology improved, she began looking for ways to speed up the rendering process. had relied on pen-and-ink and watercolor to create renderings for builders, architects, and local home shows. But as computer technology improved, she began looking for ways to speed up the rendering process.

After a few months of experimenting with various digital design tools, her firm settled on DesignWorkshop by Artifice, inc. and Art*lantis by Advent, inc. After a few months of experimenting with various digital design tools, her firm settled on DesignWorkshop by Artifice, inc. and Art*lantis by Advent, inc. manual methods had become monotonous, "especially at times when a homebuilder wanted six variations of the same house manual methods had become monotonous, "especially at times when a homebuilder wanted six variations of the same house

or an architect would change their mind about the view they wanted to show. I'd have to redraw the perspective, which could be very time consuming. She think she will use them only to determine the best perspective view before rendering in watercolor. after using both 3D modeling and rendering she found it match previous works. or an architect would change their mind about the view they wanted to show. I'd have to redraw the perspective, which could be very time consuming. She think she will use them only to determine the best perspective view before rendering in watercolor. after using both 3D modeling and rendering she found it match previous works.

Searching for Digital Alternatives Searching for Digital Alternatives Starkey tried several 3D modelers. Her previous computer experience had been exclusively with 2D graphics, and she felt overwhelmed by the interface and technicalities of almost every demo package she tried. Then she discovered design workshop and was able to jump right in. She began making rough models after spending just an hour or two going through the tutorial. From the beginning, the process of building a model and viewing it from every perspective felt gratifying.

Starkey found Working directly in three dimensions took a little getting used to, but the ease with which she was able to alternate between views and manipulate objects in 3D helped to speed up the learning process. She found she couldn't wait to get objects modeled so she could see how they looked when rendered with textures and shadow casting.

DesignWorkshop's same click- and-drag interface is available for both Macintosh and Windows platforms and for a range of applications from a downloadable, upgradeable free version to production modeling and photorealistic rendering for the design professional. DesignWorkshop integrates smoothly with all the major high-end CAD, rendering, and animation systems.

Adding More Realism Adding More Realism Starkey used DesignWorkshop for final rendering but found herself doing further editing in Photoshop because she wasn't getting the photorealistic look she was seeking. so she looked for a compatible renderer to use on a project with a lot of glass for which she wanted reflections, transparency, and more control over lighting.

She selected Art*lantis as a rendering tool She liked the ability to see changes in textures and lights in real time. she finds it fast,accessible,simple and flexible. lighting model features global illumination, integrating the multiple effects of light Thus, each element of a 3D scene affects the color and brightness of other elements, resulting in the photorealistic result.

She finds DesignWorkshop and Art*lantis to be a good combination for several reasons.the two systems together offer the same quality as packages.so She speaks highly of the companies' technical support it was invaluable in getting good advice from other users. Starkey's firm uses Windows and Macintosh, and they have had no problem using both platforms. She reports that some things seem to work faster in Windows and others work better on the Mac. To transfer models created in DesignWorkshop into Art*lantis for rendering she typically exports the model in 3D DXF format, This approach speeds the assignment of textures in Art*lantis

The Firm's Work The Firm's Work One of Starkey's big clients is Soundfold, a company that fabricates and installs acoustical wall panels. After receiving a drawing file and color and material selection from the customer, Starkey create a panel design. She uses Art*lantis with textures she's created in Photoshop to simulate commonly used fabrics. Soundfold shows their customer the photorealistic renderings of different perspectives and color options.

The big difference between drawing in 2D and 3D,Views in 3D provide the client a better sense of balance in colors and materials. For the past six years, Starkey has been producing renderings for the local Home Builders.The project that used to take four to six weeks of drawing and painting now takes only one to two. She found that the DesignWorkshop/ Art*lantis combination can be effective in creating proposals because the client can make changes to the model throughout development and have more option which views are presented. This flexibility is especially important when the client provides rough plans or no plans at all, just ideas.

One current project nicely summarizes the range capabilities of DesignWorkshop and Art*lantis working together. For a proposed museum, the finished presentation will consist of three to five boards and a CD-ROM containing animations. The project takes full advantage of the palette of tools for architectural rendering. summarizes the range capabilities of DesignWorkshop and Art*lantis working together. For a proposed museum, the finished presentation will consist of three to five boards and a CD-ROM containing animations. The project takes full advantage of the palette of tools for architectural rendering.