3D Modelling & Visualisation
Technology consistently surprises us day by day and 3D modelling & visualisation have a great role in it. The process of creating images, animations, and diagrams has been an effective way to communicate both concrete and abstract ideas.
3D Modelling is the process of creating a 3D representation of any object or surface by manipulating polygons, edges, and vertices in a simulated 3D space.
These models portray a physical body using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by differing geometric entities such as lines and curved surfaces. Designers can create 3D models algorithmically, manually or by scanning.
Their surfaces can be further defined with texture mapping software which often is engaged to represent finishes and materials (rendering software or rendering engine).
3D Modelling & visualisation is one of the integral processes involved today in the development of new products, structures and buildings.
It helps the stakeholders and parties involved in a project by communicating a design, reviewing, and modifying it before the creation of the item or structure and the commencement of the process.
Visualisation (Rendering)
Behind all 3D rendered images, realistic or unrealistic, is a rendering process that begins with a 3D model.
Visualisation (rendering) is the process of turning information from a 3D model into a 2D image or into an animated video.
Engineers, architects and designers use 3D rendering to construct a variety of images, from the intentionally non-realistic, to what people refer to as photorealistic. The latter looks so much like images captured by a traditional camera that most consumers can’t notice the difference between a 3D rendering and a ‘real’ photograph.
Rendering is the actual act of generating the image. The 3D modelling software converts the 3D model into a high-resolution image that can then be incorporated into a wide range of visual content touchpoints.
It allows you to observe your design long before construction or manufacturing begins, so it facilitates refinement and better overall design, eliminates errors, thus assisting with saving time and money throughout the process.
3D modelling in the design and architecture industry became a quantum leap in the area of presentation. Architectural presentations have moved from draft tables and hand sketches to tablets and desktops.
The contemporary software allows for building visuals with such high quality that they can be hardly distinguished from real photos.
Textures, materials, natural and artificial lighting — all these elements and more are reflected in 3D renders with incredible precision and accuracy.
Architectural visualisation is on the level where it offers not only beautiful still images, but also breathtaking interactive and animated options for presentations.
Today, 3D visualisation is a wonderful tool allowing architects and designers to illustrate every essential element of their projects to ensure a smooth process when construction is commenced.
3D technology has made huge strides in the way we see and conceptualise things. It’s also redefining the world of publishing, marketing advertising and much more. Some of the most notable industries that use 3D modelling include manufacturing, medical, entertainment, science, gaming and building industries.
Methods of Making a 3D Model
Curve Modeling
They are defined by curves, which are regulated by weighted control points. The curve follows (but does not necessarily interpolate) the points.
Increasing the weight for a point will pull the curve closer to that point. Curve types include nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS), patches, splines, and geometric primitives. Curve modelling gives the 3D artist more flexibility in defining the shape of an object.
Digital Sculpting
Still a relatively new method of modelling, 3D sculpting has become widely popular in the short time it has been around.
Polygonal Modelling
Points in 3D space, called vertices, are connected by line segments to form a polygon mesh. The vast majority of 3D models today are constructed as textured polygonal models, because they are flexible and because computers can render them efficiently in a short period of time.
There are currently three types of digital sculpting:
Dynamic Tessellation
It is similar to voxels but divides the surface using a triangulation method to maintain a smooth surface and allow finer details.
Displacement
The most widely used among applications at this moment, uses a dense model (often generated by subdivision surfaces of a polygon control mesh), and stores new locations for the vertex positions through the use of an image map that stores the adjusted locations.
Volumetric
Loosely based on Voxels, has similar capabilities as displacement but does not suffer from polygon stretching when there are an inadequate amount of polygons in a region to achieve a deformation.
3D Modelling Software
In the 3D modelling market, these are some of the best and widely used by 3D artists:
Unity
3DS Max Design
Maya
Cinema 4D
Modo
ZBrush
Blender
SketchUp
3D modelling is projected to have a brilliant future ahead. New innovations such as virtual reality, cloud computing and artificial intelligence are being introduced in the world of 3D modelling, resulting in increased accuracy and the ability to achieve further accuracy.
At National Drafting, we offer 3D modelling and visualisation (3D renders) service to interior designers, architects and contractors helping them to visualise their projects, deliver a better outcome, and save money and time by detecting mistakes prior to any construction.