Computer Applications - Project 2: Architectural Visualization

30.6.2025 - 2.8.2025 ( Week 11- Week 15)
Gam Jze Shin / 0353154
Computer Applications / Bachelor of Design in Creative Media
Project 2: Architectural Visualization

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Index

1. Instructions
2. Project 2
3. Project Submission
4. Feedback
5. Reflection

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Instructions

fig 1.1  Computer Applications MIB

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Project 2

In this project, we are required to use the Revit model from Project 1 and enhance it by incorporating materials, lighting, cameras, and site context. This includes adding landscaping elements, furniture, vehicles, and human figures to create a realistic environment. Final renderings must showcase both exterior and interior views. Post-production editing using tools like Adobe Photoshop is encouraged to improve the visual presentation.

Research Progress

fig 2.1 - 2.2 Example Image

Before starting the rendering process for the architectural building, I began by researching reference images online to confirm the style direction. Since the building used in Project 01 resembles a detached house with a garden surrounding it, I decided to aim for a modern and minimalist aesthetic that also conveys a warm and inviting atmosphere.

fig 2.3 - 2.4 Lesson in MyTimes

Before starting my project, I went through the tutorial on how to render in both Revit and 3ds Max. My lecturer had provided video tutorials and notes on MyTimes, which I referred to for guidance.

Attempt in Revit

fig 2.5 Camera View in Revit

First, I placed lighting inside the room to ensure the enclosed space is properly illuminated.

fig 2.6 Change eye elevation

Next, I set both the eye elevation and target elevation to 1500mm to create a suitable eye-level perspective.

fig 2.7 - 2.8 Try rendering in Revit

Then, I rendered the scene and adjusted the exposure settings, particularly the exposure value and highlights, to achieve a better visual outcome.

fig 2.9 Attempt rendering in Revit

This was my first attempt at rendering in Revit. It wasn’t too difficult, but to achieve a better visual outcome, it’s similar to editing an image — you need to balance the lighting and make careful adjustments to create a visually appealing result.

Attempt in 3ds Max

fig 2.10 - 2.11 Export from Revit to 3Ds Max

Next, I tried rendering in 3ds Max. Before that, I exported my architectural building from Revit so I could use it in 3ds Max. Additionally, I set up the unit system in 3ds Max beforehand to make it easier when importing 3D models.

fig 2.12 Building in 3Ds Max

Here is what I saw after importing my building into 3ds Max. The application interface appeared quite complex, and I needed some time to get familiar with it. In the beginning, I struggled a bit to locate the tools and effects I needed.

fig 2.13 - 2.16 Adjust camera position

I placed a camera in the scene, but the initial view elevation appeared too low. To fix this, I adjusted both the camera elevation and the target elevation. It's important to note that these two settings are different: the camera elevation controls the viewer's eye level, while the target elevation determines the focal point of the view. Adjusting both helps achieve a more natural and accurate perspective.

fig 2.17 Progress in 3Ds Max

Then, I used the Position tools to adjust the camera's placement, allowing me to find a better angle that effectively showcases the building. This step is important to highlight key architectural features and ensure the overall composition looks balanced and visually appealing.

fig 2.18 - 2.19 Render tools

In 3ds Max, the export settings differ slightly from those in Revit. Since this was my first time exporting a render from 3ds Max, I had to adjust the settings to match my requirements. After configuring everything and previewing the desired render, I proceeded to start the rendering process and waited for the final outcome.

fig 2.20 Attempt rendering in 3Ds Max

This is the camera view I set up in 3ds Max before starting the rendering process. It shows the perspective and angle I wanted to capture for showcasing the room.

fig 2.21 Sky Intensity of 1 and 2

Here is the difference between sky intensity values of 1 and 2: the higher the sky intensity, the brighter the rendered view appears. Increasing this value helps enhance overall lighting in the scene.

Project 2 in 3ds Max
After going through the tutorials in Revit and 3ds Max, I decided to continue my Project 2 rendering in 3ds Max. This is because 3ds Max offers more flexibility and a wider range of tools, which I believe can help me achieve a better visual outcome—even though it may take more time to learn and complete.

Exterior Progress

fig 2.22 Adding grass tutorial video

I started with the exterior view of the building. My idea was to add grass around it, but since I didn’t know how to do that, I learned from YouTube tutorials. The tutorial showed how to use the Hair and Fur modifier in 3ds Max to create realistic grass.

Learning Video: https://youtu.be/rMdO98vzCUw

fig 2.23 Attempt Rendering for Project 2

This is the outcome I achieved. I noticed that the overall color tone is too warm, so I’ll need to adjust that. Also, the grass appears too long, so I plan to shorten it for a more natural look. But overall, the method works.

fig 2.24 - 2.25 Online 3D models platform

I began searching for 3D models to include in my renderings. Some useful websites I used to download free models were Free3D, Sketchfab, and TurboSquid. Since free models are limited, I had to switch between different sites and spend time finding the most suitable ones.

fig 2.26 Add street lamp

I found a suitable 3D model and imported it into 3ds Max. Then, I used the position tools to adjust its placement until I was satisfied with the result.

fig 2.27 Rotate fence

I also added a fence outside my building, rotated it, and placed it around the perimeter.

fig 2.28 Import and Merge

The 3D models I downloaded came in various file formats, such as .obj, .fbx, and .max. Depending on the file type, I used different methods to add them into my 3ds Max project. For .max files, I used the Merge function to bring specific elements into my scene. For .fbx, .obj, or .3ds files, I used the Import tool to load them into the project.

fig 2.29 -2.30 Assign Materials

When I imported some of the 3D model files, the materials or textures were missing. So, I had to manually create new materials and reassign them to the objects. Sometimes, I needed to assign the same material to different objects. So, I asked ChatGPT how to identify which material was used on a specific object. From there, I learned about the "Pick Material from Object" tool, which allows me to detect and reuse existing materials easily. This tool was very helpful in speeding up the process of assigning materials.

fig 2.31 - 2.32 Render Progress after adding model

After adding each new 3D model or functional effect, I now do a quick render to ensure everything works correctly. Previously, I added too many elements at once without checking, and when I tried to render, it resulted in an error with a black screen. I couldn’t figure out what went wrong. From that experience, I learned it’s better to render step-by-step after each addition to identify any issues early.

fig 2.33 Add bench

The front area looked too empty, so I added a bench in front of the building. I positioned the camera on the right side to capture the view from that angle.

fig 2.34 - 2.35 Wait for rendering

Rendering itself isn’t the most difficult part—the real challenge is ensuring that the final output matches what I see in the render window. The downloaded image often looks different, especially in brightness or color tone. So, I have to adjust and re-render multiple times to get the desired result, which can be very time-consuming.

fig 2.36 - 2.41 Exterior Renderings Attempt

Here are all the rendered images I downloaded, but I'm not satisfied with them due to the lighting and color issues.

Interior Progress

fig 2.42 Attempt rendering for interior

This is my first attempt at rendering the interior of the building. It appears a bit too dark, so I plan to add more light sources later.

fig 2.43 - 2.44 Add interior light

At first, I wasn’t sure how the lighting would affect the final render. So, I experimented with different types of lights, such as free lights and target lights, to see how they appear in the render. I noticed that if a light is hidden or blocked by other objects, it won’t be visible in the final output. This is something I need to pay close attention to when adding lights.

fig 2.45 - 2.46 Add shelf

The back of my building has a recessed space due to its design, so I decided to place a shelf there. I found a suitable 3D model and applied a wood texture to match the environment.

fig 2.47 - 2.48 Slate Material Editor

To decorate the empty middle section of the wall, I decided to add a framed image. I learned how to assign an image as a material by watching tutorial videos on YouTube. In the Slate Material Editor, I added a Bitmap node, connected it to a Physical Material, and then assigned it to the desired object.

fig 2.29 - 2.50 Assign texture image

When I import a 3D model into my project, the textures sometimes appear pink, indicating missing materials. To fix this, I reassign the materials manually using texture images and apply them using the same method I used previously.

fig 2.51 Slate Material Editor I used

This is where I edit materials using the Slate Material Editor. I can also reuse the materials I’ve created by applying them to other 3D models in my building.

fig 2.52 After adding all 3d models

I added all the 3D furniture I needed until the space felt sufficient for the design. Then, I performed a test render to see the outcome.

fig 2.53 - 2.55 Adjust light

To make the interior room appear brighter, I adjusted the light settings by changing the light color and increasing its intensity.

fig 2.56 - 2.59 Brighter rendering

I also adjusted the sun intensity to make the overall render appear brighter. However, it takes a long time to render, so I have to wait to see if the result meets my expectations.

fig 2.60 - 2.61 Different between renderings

I noticed that the final image looks different after downloading the render as a JPEG—it appears much darker compared to what I see in the render window. Therefore, I need to make further adjustments.

fig 2.62 - 2.63 Interior Renderings Attempt

Here is the other render outcome, but I think the exposure is too bright. So, I’ve decided not to use it and will go with the darker version instead, which I plan to edit further in Photoshop.

Progress in Photoshop

fig 2.64 Change sky background in Photoshop

I changed the sky background using Photoshop to create a better version. Besides that, I also added a human figure into the image.

fig 2.65 - 2.66 Add shadow

I added a shadow behind the human figure, as it would naturally appear due to the sunlight from above. I placed the shadow on the correct side to match the lighting direction.

fig 2.67 Adjust highlight and shadow for interior rendering

For the interior rendering, I adjusted the image’s brightness by editing the highlights and shadows using the adjustment tools panel.

fig 2.68 - 2.69 Adjust skin tone

After that, I added a child figure to the rendering. Since the tone of the child did not match the room’s lighting, I slightly adjusted the color tone to make it blend better and look more natural in the scene.

Problem faced

fig 2.70 Problem faced

This issue often happens during rendering—3ds Max crashes unexpectedly in the middle of the process. If I haven't saved my work beforehand, the progress I've made is lost, and I have to redo everything. This makes the workflow frustrating and time-consuming.

Project 2 Submission
Final 3Ds Max File
Download the file here.

Final Rendering JPEG
Exterior Rendering

fig 2.71 Final Exterior Rendering

Interior Rendering

fig 2.72 Final Interior Rendering

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Feedback

Week 11
General Feedback
Mr. Koh suggested that using 3ds Max to fulfill this requirement may take more time and effort, especially for beginners. However, it offers more tools and flexibility, which can lead to better results. On the other hand, completing the task in Revit is also acceptable and can produce very good outcomes. Therefore, to balance quality and time, it's important to carefully consider which application to use.

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Reflection

Experience
This was my first time using 3ds Max and also my first experience with rendering. Before this project, I had no idea what rendering truly involved. Through this process, I’ve gained some basic concepts and foundational knowledge. While rendering might seem simple at first, I found it to be quite challenging, especially when waiting for the final output. High-quality rendering takes time, particularly when the scene includes many elements. I also struggled with finding suitable 3D models since free resources are limited, which required me to spend extra time switching between different websites. On top of that, designing both the interior and exterior layout of the building was unfamiliar to me, as I usually work on application design rather than architectural spaces. Despite these challenges, I found the process interesting, and getting a satisfying result gave me a strong sense of accomplishment.

Observation
One of the most difficult parts for me was lighting. Lighting plays a critical role in the visual quality of a rendering, and getting it right was not easy. Sometimes the scene appeared too bright, and other times it was too dark. I had to adjust the lighting repeatedly until I achieved a balance that felt right. Another challenge I faced was that the final rendered JPEG image often looked different from what I saw on the screen during the rendering preview. This could be due to different image compression settings or color space discrepancies between the rendering output and image file format. As a result, I had to re-adjust my settings several times to achieve a more consistent outcome.

Findings
From this experience, I realized that whenever I learn a new skill, I tend to feel anxious and hesitant at first because I worry that I won’t be able to do it well. But once I take the first step and immerse myself in the process, I begin to focus and enjoy learning. Even if the final result isn’t perfect, it’s always an improvement from where I started. I’m proud of the effort I’ve put into this project and thankful for the guidance and support from my lecturer and friends. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’m excited to continue improving my skills in 3D rendering.