3D interior rendering allows interior designers to give their
clients an idea of what their designs would look like once they are completely
realized. In the past, the designer might offer their clients a series of
concept paintings to show what the interior of their homes or offices would
look like, or provide them with scale models. With computer rendering, however,
the client can get a sense of actually walking through the finished interior
and seeing details such as the backs of furniture.
The process of rendering starts when an artist takes the
floor plans or architectural blueprints and turns them into a digital model
using software such as AutoCAD. This model initially looks like a series of
transparent wireframes. The artist then fills in these skeletal frames using
textures that would simulate the materials they are supposed to be covered
with, whether these are cloth, plastic or steel. You can also opt for a more
photorealistic look by using scanned images of more natural finishes such as
stone or brick.
Once texture has been added to the digital model, the artist
then sets up the lighting. This means that they will determine where the light
is coming from and what type of light it is. For example, they can decide that
they want the light to come straight down as if it were from a lamp, or at an
angle. They can even dictate lighting based on a particular time and day of the
year. Some software has also added the ability to create diffused lighting
effects to ensure a more photo-realistic look. The digital camera is then set
up. Like a real camera, it can capture the scene from a stationary angle or can
be made to move in tracking shots in order to provide a virtual tour of the
interior.
Interior rendering is a labour-intensive process, and the
amount of labour involved depends on a number of factors. For example, the more
detailed the model, the more time it takes to create. The type of image being
created is also a consideration. To illustrate, it is easier to create natural
images since the artist can simply draw from topographical data as a reference.
However, when they are creating blatantly artificial imagery such as electronic
devices, it can take them much longer due to the amount of detail involved.
Once the artist has designed the image, it also takes time for the computer to
create it. This is called rendering time, and the length of time it takes to
render an image depends on factors such as the number of lighting sources and
the amount of detail in the scene.
It is important for the client to know the factors that go
into interior rendering since these will affect the pricing of the project as
well as how long it takes to accomplish. In many cases, the client can save
time and money by opting for stock images from the library for background items
so that the artists can focus their attention on the more important foreground
items.
