Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
The obvious benefit to creating a complete digital model of your building project is the
ability to generate a wide variety of 3D images for presentation. These images are used to
not only describe design intent but also to illustrate ideas about proportion, form, space, and
functional relationships. The ease at which these kinds of views can be mass-produced makes
the rendered perspective more of a commodity. In some instances, as shown in the left image of
Figure 1.7, materiality may be removed to focus on the building form and element adjacencies.
The same model is used again for a final photo-realistic rendering, as shown in the right image
of Figure 1.7.
Figure 1.7
two different meth-
ods of utilizing 3d
presentation views
Source: HOK
By adding materiality to the BIM elements, you can begin to explore the space in color
and light, creating photo-realistic renderings of portions of the building design. These highly
literal images convey information about both intent and content of the design. Iterations at this
level are limited only by processing power. The photo-realism allows for an almost lifelike
exploration of color and light qualities within a built space even to the extent of allowing
analytic brightness calculations to reveal the exact levels of light within a space.
The next logical step is taking these elements and adding the element of time. In Figure
1.8, you can see a still image taken from a phasing animation (commonly referred to as a 4D
simulation) of a project. These simulations not only convey time and movement through space;
they also have the ability to demonstrate how the building will react or perform under real
lighting and atmospheric conditions. All of this fosters a more complete understanding of the
constructability and performance of a project before it is realized.
