3d architecture perspective: 10 steps to outsource your 3D visualization to an agency

3d architecture perspective is like any other field of activity: it’s a specialty all its own. Architects – the most efficient among them, anyway – don’t have the time to learn all the subtleties of software to produce 3D renderings of their architectural projects. So it’s not surprising that more and more agencies are specializing in 3D visualization for real estate.

Indeed, agencies like ours, which specialize in the creation of 3D visuals, have generally undergone advanced training in architecture-related fields. In the case of Studio 3D, our 3D artists have all acquired significant experience working in architectural firms. Capitalizing on this experience enables us to fully understand the expectations of architects, read plans and transcribe projects to perfection.

Why use an agency for architectural perspectives?

An architect needs outstanding CGI for an upcoming presentation. He’s never worked with 3D architectural visualization, and doesn’t have the time or budget to hire a specialist for this project with its strict deadlines. On top of that, he has urgent tasks to complete at the same time. The architect is thinking of outsourcing his 3d architecture perspective, but isn’t sure where to turn to outsource this service. Where should he start, and what should he know to avoid rookie mistakes? He certainly can’t afford to pay for another agency’s services again if the first 3D visuals aren’t satisfactory.

As a 3D studio specializing in the creation of photorealistic architectural visuals, we know all about the pitfalls and challenges of finding a reliable agency to outsource your work to. The good news is that we’re going to explain it all to you: where to look, what to look for and what to expect.

Do you want to avoid bad experiences? All you have to do is spend 3 minutes reading this article to find out how to outsource the creation of your 3D architectural perspective.

Step 1 : decide which architectural project to outsource

Depending on the scope of your work, deadlines and budget, you’ll need to decide which projects are best suited to outsourcing, and which type of 3D rendering is most appropriate for this purpose.

The priority is to outsource tasks with very tight deadlines, or which require skills or equipment that are beyond the reach of the average architect. Outsourcing the production of 3D architectural perspectives can also be a great help for large-scale firms managing a large number of projects at the same time.

Step 2 :Make a short-list of 3d architecture perspective agencies

To learn more about the selected agencies and understand how they work, you’ll need to research all the relevant information on their websites.

You’ll be able to rely on customer feedback, explore their portfolios, pricing and work processes to decide which company is right for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your list, all you have to do is contact them via their contact form.

Step 3 : Explain your project

An account manager will usually call you back shortly after contacting perspective 3D architecture. He or she will help you express your needs, suggest architectural references, explain how to track the progress of your CGI project, and explain how to communicate with 3D graphic artists to get the best results.

Step 4 : Get prices and turnaround times for your 3d architecture perspective

Prices for the creation of 3D visuals vary largely according to the amount of time your 3d architecture perspective will require. Most agencies don’t advertise their prices, so it’s difficult to compare different design studios without contacting them first.

However, to find out the exact lead time for your project, you’ll need to contact an account manager. He or she will be able to give you a precise estimate of your project, and if necessary, will be able to reduce your lead times if your deadlines are too tight. If necessary, he or she can also suggest ways of cutting costs.

Step 5 : Discuss non-disclosure agreements and other guarantees

When subcontracting the production of a 3D architectural perspective, it’s highly advisable to agree in advance on the quality of the 3D visuals produced, as well as their copyright. The non-disclosure agreement is an important condition that prohibits the use of 3D visualization without the client’s explicit consent.

There are also many additional warranties, depending on the company’s policy or market positioning. These may include guarantees on delivery times or expected quality.

Step 6: Monitor the production process and communication with 3D graphic designers

Outsourcing the creation of architectural 3D visuals doesn’t mean that the architect will be sidelined from the project until its completion. On the contrary, you’ll have to take part in the project, following the various intermediate stages.

There are various ways of following the production process. You can contact your account manager to follow the progress of the project or to provide updates, whether by phone, e-mail or WhatsApp. At Studio 3D, you’ll be assigned an account manager who will be with you every step of the way.

Step 7: Review interim results and suggest modifications

We strongly recommend that you follow the project at every crucial stage. This is particularly the case at stages requiring your approval, or when there are unforeseen changes to be implemented.

If something doesn’t correspond to the brief, or if there are some modifications to the architectural plans, you can always ask for certain adjustments before the final stages of creating the 3D architectural perspective. What’s more, many agencies producing 3D visuals for architecture offer a few modifications free of charge. At Studio 3D, for example, we offer modifications of up to 50% of the project – but anything above this percentage is considered a new project.

Step 8: Quality control of the 3D architecture perspective

It’s essential to ensure that your subcontractor carefully monitors the quality of the 3D visual before the final results are sent to you. In most architectural CG agencies, a project manager is responsible for reconciling the client’s brief with the final result. It is this person who ensures that the client’s requirements have been met, and that the visual perfectly reflects the architect’s expectations.

Step 9 :Delivery of the architectural perspective in the desired format and validation of the 3D visual.

Once you’re fully satisfied with the 3D architectural perspective you’ve created, all that’s left to do is to validate it and ask for delivery formats.

Here, you can request different file formats or resolutions to suit your needs. You can also request intermediate files, which you can use if you wish to modify your interior or exterior architectural perspective at a later date, or insert characters to recycle a competition image and offer it to your end customer.

Step 10: Maintain a long-term relationship with your subcontractor

If the results exceed your expectations, it’s clearly in your interest to continue subcontracting with this agency. We recommend that you keep in touch with them and, if possible, leave feedback on their website or on one of their social networks. This doesn’t take much time, but helps to strengthen the bond with the agency. What’s more, it’s important to remember that long-term partnerships also bring financial rewards, since a loyal customer will benefit from discounts on the creation of his 3D visuals.

Outsourcing the production of architectural perspectives is an extremely practical way of obtaining high-end visuals for all types of projects. These services are far less expensive than hiring a permanent 3D graphic designer and providing him or her with training and equipment, for results that are not always any better than those of an experienced agency. What’s more, architects only pay for results completed on time, which saves them time, effort and money.

You now have all the information you need to outsource the creation of your 3D architectural perspective and make your partnership fruitful and enjoyable.

Would you like to impress your customers with stunning, effortless presentations? Contact us to take advantage of our 3D visualization services for architecture, and get photorealistic 3D visualizations of your projects.