What is a 3D Elevation Design?
A 3D elevation is a three-dimensional representation of a two-dimensional elevation found in an architectural drawing. Real estate professionals improve the 3D designs and showcase the photorealistic renderings to their potential buyers. While the most common type of 3D elevation is the front, the rear elevations are used to showcase unique elements such as pool and deck. East and west elevations are not as typical and kept as 2D elevations.
Why do you need a 3D Elevation? Benefits and Drawbacks
Viewed at pedestrian level, 3D elevations are different from other renderings because we only develop one side of the 3D model. This decreases the costs and makes the project process faster.
The biggest benefit is the time and costs you will save prior to construction. Developing one side of a virtual home reduces the time and costs of a traditional rendering and is a fraction of what it would take to modify the physical building structure, colors and surrounding elements.
The main drawback is the level of depth in the rendering. While the first multifamily rendering shows the front façade well, the right shows us there are two 3D buildings along with proper depth of the vegetation and site map elements.
3D elevation versus a typical 2-sided 3D rendering.
What is Needed to Convert 2D to 3D Elevations?
In the beginning we need the CAD / PDF elevations and floor plans to develop the structural renderings. In order to develop the color drafts we usually need are the landscape plans, site plan, and building colors / textures. Through our commenting system, we work together on improving each version of the color draft. The sooner you can provide the files and comments to us, the sooner you will receive your finished renderings.
Day, Night, or Dusk? Which 3D Elevation is Best?
Almost every project we complete has a daytime version of the 3D rendering. Once it’s built, the cost and time comes down dramatically. However the impact of dusk and night renderings increase market interest and exposure exponentially.
Below is a typical 3D elevation along with it’s dusk and nighttime versions.
3D Elevation Rendering Examples
Most of the 3D buildings we have created are for single-family, multi-family, and custom homes (large single and double floor). Below are commercial & residential visualizations projects done in both daytime and evening. The last two residential images show a 3D architectural photo montage. Explore this interactive experience and learn what the client chose.
The two residential images below show a 3D roof overlaying an existing photo. For more information, explore the interactive roof visualizer and what the client chose.
Complimenting Elevations: 3D Floor Plans
3D floor plans are our most requested renderings with elevations. They help explain the interior spaces without the time and cost of individual room renderings. View more types of 3D floor plans or check out a past client who sold all their units using 3D elevations and floor plans.
