(article previously published in March 2014)
Any visualization, whatever its type, has several functions. One of them is to better explain a project.
I am not saying that it is the main one.
Advantages of 3D drawings for technicians
When working on a project between technicians, it is usually not necessary. Everyone understands the plans.
However, even in that situation, it can help a lot. Several architects have told me that the infographics that were once made for the marketing of a project were decisive as a reference in the work. They helped the whole team to be clearer about what had to be achieved in the end.
Within the technical documentation of a project, the floor plans are complemented by the section information.
Sometimes, the section is more important than the floor plan. It is just another “visualization” of the project. However, it is still technical information.
I don’t even want to imagine the effort that a construction manager must make to first understand and then execute a work, for example, by Zaha Hadid.
In these cases of geometrically and constructively complex singular projects, 3D drawings or visualizations are essential.
Why 3D drawings are ideal for the lay customer
When it comes to explaining a project to someone who is not spatially literate, it is essential to use 3D drawings. Otherwise, the explanation becomes an act of faith.
That is why, for years, physical models have been made. There are many types. From those that show the interior layout of a house to those that show the exterior appearance of a building.
The computer resources allow us to generate 3D plans with a certain ease. Once the 3D model of the building is built, we can “cut” it to show what we are interested in. They help to transmit confidence to the client who does not have the spatial vision necessary to understand an architectural proposal.
In addition, the quality of the final image result is far superior to that of the physical mock-up.
Another day I will talk about the next step: augmented reality.