Engineering blog
02 Apr 2018

Importance of Lights and Shadow in 3D Visualization

Confused about how lights and shadows affect your 3D visualized design? Have a look.

3D visualization architecture is a combination of a number of elements such as shadow, textures, colors, materials and lights. Not only does the perfect combination render an awesome design and real-life project, but it also helps in retaining the life-likeness and accuracy of the entire image. Since light and shadows form a very important part in photorealistic rendering in general, it is important to know how and why they are needed in visualizing architecture. If you want to know about what is “architectural visualization”, it is an umbrella term to actually visualize a concrete real-life picture of an abstract idea. Since light and shadows play an important role in real-life visualization, let us see how they make a difference to architecture visualization as a subject.

How do lights and shadows enhance 3D visualization?

  • Adds realism to your design A real-life architectural design works in a three-dimensional manner, and conventional rendering procedures would only be able to display sketches and plans in a two-dimensional style. Proper usage of light and shadows adds the real-life side to your design, for it is exactly how our eyes perceive objects. Without using shadows, an outsider such as a client might it difficult to understand the depth and position of the objects, their different sizes and how they are located in relative to their surroundings. With shadows, we can actually understand which objects are suspended in the air and which are positioned on the ground.

  • Creates the mood The choice of lighting is important to create a certain impact your client. If you use soft and inviting light in your design, it will have a soothing effect; if you use bright lighting, it will bring out a modern look to your plan. Bold lighting, on the other hand, acts like a spotlight and should be added to the showpiece of your design. Choose lighting that fits in with the theme of your design, and the elements you are focusing on. Use accent or secondary lighting to accentuate certain areas you want your client to focus on, thus adding to the overall beauty of the design.

  • Defines the elements in your design Using shadows in your design helps to bring out the different tones in your design; especially  if all the objects are of the same color. Creating a contrast helps us make out the objects used in the design, and bring them together to create a cohesive look. Our eyes are used to seeing three-dimensional images that include shadow and lighting, and without the use of shadows, the design does not seem real anymore.

  • Reveals the 3D nature One of the 3D visualization benefits is that since there is no physical light equipment involved, lighting can be easily placed to create a shadow that lies perpendicular to the camera, which would not be apparent under normal circumstances. Using natural light in your design shows us how it affects the interiors of the design, and gives an overall character to the room.

  • Maintains the level of mystery Shadows build mystery in the image, such as when they give a hint of the events that are happening outside the frame even if we don’t know the actual identity of the character. This simple technique can instantly gain our attention, and create a curious mood and atmosphere.

  • Balances and beautifies The proper combination of shadows and lighting gives an aesthetic beauty to the design. They can be used as a compositional device to detail in the areas that remain bare, or to frame a particular section of the design to attract the focus of the client. Highlighting a portion of the image is done by blurring out the areas surrounding the focus object.

Conclusion Just like the many other elements, lighting and shadow are two very important essentials that make up a successful 3D visualization. It is important to know how to work with these two basics perfectly, which is why you should definitely take up a course in 3D visualization, AutoCAD. You will learn the many techniques in 3D animation and other visual styles to customize the design according to the client’s requirements.

About BluEntCAD

BluEntCAD is a company that is known for its 3D rendering and visualizations services. Apart from having the latest architectural tools and software under their sleeve, they also work on constantly improving their products and services to give their clientele complete product satisfaction. Both the knowledge and strive for improvement have made them great for both business and design development. Looking for a 3D artist, Click here to know more about us!

Maximum Value. Achieved

Click Here Need Help?

cite

Format

Your Citation

CAD Evangelist. "Importance of Lights and Shadow in 3D Visualization" CAD Evangelist, Apr. 02, 2018, https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/importance-of-lights-and-shadow-in-3d-visualization/.

CAD Evangelist. (2018, April 02). Importance of Lights and Shadow in 3D Visualization. Retrieved from https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/importance-of-lights-and-shadow-in-3d-visualization/

CAD Evangelist. "Importance of Lights and Shadow in 3D Visualization" CAD Evangelist https://www.bluentcad.com/blog/importance-of-lights-and-shadow-in-3d-visualization/ (accessed April 02, 2018 ).

copy citation copied!
BluEnt

BluEnt is a business consulting, technology and engineering group with offices in New York, Toronto, London, Muscat, and New Delhi. We draw on global experience across industries and technologies to help enterprises derive maximum value.

Our clients benefit from our wide range of services, including BIM, 3D rendering, data analytics, app & website development, business process management, and more.

Connect with us!

Let's Talk Fixed form

Let's Talk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.