Your team of architects and designers are undoubtedly professionals in their field. But 3D rendering is not their direct responsibility or a required skill. This work is demanding, time-consuming, and quite expensive. It's a good idea to outsource 3D architectural rendering if you don't have sufficient expertise or experience in this area, if you are overwhelmed with tasks, or if your employees can provide more value by working on other projects. There are outsource 3D visualization firms that can cope with any task: commercial architectural 3D rendering, 3D house rendering, 3D interior rendering, virtual staging, etc. Let's see what advantages outsourced rendering has over in-house one and how to find the right company.
Here are some reasons to outsource 3D rendering:
•Quality assurance. Highly specialized artists will make really cool renders in a reasonable time.
•Meeting turnaround time. Companies usually have employees who can replace each other in case of vacation or illness.
•The possibility to quickly process a large project.
If necessary, several artists will join your project.
•Saving time for architects and designers. 3D render creation is not their main task. It's okay if they can't
do it quickly or with high quality because they have
a completely different specialization. Let them do their
own thing.
•Reduce negotiation time and the probability of misunderstanding. 3D visualization specialists will clearly outline the steps of creating a project, timing, and estimated results.
•The opportunity to handle more architectural or design projects. While a third-party firm is creating architectural renderings, you are already working on the next project.
Use this guide to make your work with a 3D architectural rendering outsource company as efficient as possible.
Before you outsource 3D visualization services, calculate your potential benefits. You should win in terms of time, money, quality, or all three at once.
Usually, rendering outsourcing makes sense if:
•Your employees are overworked due to a large flow of orders;
•You do not have the appropriate equipment and software;
•These are large and rush projects (in-house staff run the risk of
not being able to complete it on their own).
The tips may sound trivial, but they are the key to success. First, familiarize yourself with the portfolio and reviews. Then find out the technical details of cooperation: how long does it take to complete a project like yours? How do you participate in the work? At what stages can you make corrections? The next step is the legal aspects. What contracts will you sign? Does the firm adhere to NDAs?
Typically, working with an outsourcing architectural visualization company involves the following stages:
1. You leave a request on the website.
2. A client manager contacts you to find out your needs.
3. You fill in a brief in which you describe the details of your project and provide references.
4. The company calculates the scope of work and the project budget. If you agree, the work continues.
A contractor or team of contractors is selected for your task. The manager helps to establish cooperation and provides a roadmap for your communication.
You should set a price before you start working with the company. This will help you avoid overpayments and hidden fees. On the website of some outsource architectural visualization companies, you will find a calculator for estimating the 3D rendering project cost. But the truth is that only the manager will tell you the final price and turnaround time, and this may differ dramatically from what the online calculator shows. That is why we suggest contacting the company directly.The time frame depends on the complexity of the project. For example, in our company, the standard product rendering process looks like this: clay render (1–2 days), first set in color (2–3 days), and final (1–2 days).
The purpose of the NDA is to comprehensively protect the designs that the studio receives from clients and the client company, namely:
•Protection of patented and copyrighted designs;
•Preventing unfair use of the final 3D visualizations;
•Not mentioning the name of your brand without your explicit consent.
It is important to understand that some firms may try to circumvent the terms of the NDA. For example, they may change the logo or parts of the project, adding it to the portfolio. Make sure you clarify such nuances in advance.
At least 3 people are responsible for quality control on the client’s side: the 3D artist, project manager, and client manager. Project approval involves at least two stages: first — approval by the project manager, and second — approval by the client manager.
You need to be involved in developing architectural visualizations. That’s why you’ll need to get in touch with 3D artists from time to time and check on the intermediate stages of the work. You can set up regular Skype or Zoom calls or use messengers. Another convenient option is for the rendering company to add you to its CRM system. This way, you can see each stage of the project, the team’s comments, etc.
In the process of outsourcing 3D architectural rendering, you will receive at least 2 drafts: a clay render and a first set in color. Feel free to discuss the nuances and make corrections if the project does not meet your brief. Here are some tips on how to communicate effectively about corrections:
•Be clear. «I don’t like it» is not a good comment. «I don’t like it because the mood and light in the render are industrial, and we need warm colors» is a good comment.
•Note down the corrections. After the discussion, ask the manager to send you a follow-up of your conversation with your requested corrections.
•Provide additional references if needed.
It is important to understand that some firms may try to circumvent the terms of the NDA. For example, they may change the logo or parts of the project, adding it to the portfolio. Make sure you clarify such nuances in advance.
Choose the Best File Format
The most common formats are STEP, 3DS, COLLADA, STL, DWG, OBJ, 3DS, IGES. The format should be convenient for your artists to work with in the future, so consult with them.
Often, for the client’s convenience, 3D artists save images in JPG and PNG, and videos in MPEG and MP4.
Some file formats may be protected, meaning that the files will only be opened by the application in which they were created. Take this into account if you do not purchase specialized 3D rendering software.
If you are satisfied with the result of the work, stay on the radar. Leave a review and ask for special terms of cooperation. Some companies give discounts for large orders or offer special conditions for long-term customers.
Check out the list of the best 3D architectural rendering companies and artists.
To read impressions of our work, visit our social media pages here and here.
Why outsource architectural 3D rendering is convenient and profitable? Let’s find out.
How can your design budget be reduced? First, you don’t need to employ a 3D artist in your in-house team. If your order flow is unstable, it can be unprofitable. The salary of a full-time specialist can range from $65,000 to $117,000 per year.
Second, 3D visualization and rendering require the use of specialized software. For example, Autodesk 3ds Max costs $1875 per year, and Coronarenderer — $418.
Outsourcing 3D rendering companies usually employ highly specialized professionals, meaning they really know everything about rendering. In addition, they have access to powerful computers and expensive software, which we mentioned above. All of these results in high-quality projects.
To save time, outsource:
•Rush order. Outsourced rendering companies can involve several artists, and you won’t have to rush to create a project of dubious quality.
•All projects if you do not have an in-house 3D artist. This will save time for your architects and designers. They will be engaged in their direct duties while the rendering is being created.
To be honest, data security is not the strongest point of outsourcing. Unscrupulous companies can indeed use your projects for their own purposes. The only way out is to protect yourself legally (contracts, NDAs) and work with trusted rendering studios.
Check out our article on 3D visualization benefits.
If you need any 3D visualization or 3D rendering work, Omegarender can help you. Here is a list of tasks you can entrust to us:
We achieve a level of photorealism that is incomparable to any other image. The projects we take on are done quickly — as quickly as possible to achieve the highest quality of work — and with the utmost care. We believe there is power in the details, so we pay attention to them.
So, we’ve found that 3D rendering outsourcing is a good idea if your team is overworked or doesn’t have the right artist in-house. This will help you save money on hiring a specialist and buying super-powerful computers and expensive software. In addition, you’ll get a good quality project in a relatively short time, as a separate team will work on your project.
To choose a reliable firm, start by looking at their portfolio and reviews. When you find the right company, set a price in the contract before starting work and sign the NDA.
Be involved in creating your rendering projects. Review intermediate results, make corrections, and be picky.
When the work is done, get the files in the required format. You won’t be able to edit JPG, PNG, MPEG, or MP4, so you’ll need STEP, 3DS, COLLADA, STL, DWG, OBJ, 3DS, IGES, etc.
If you liked the cooperation, leave feedback and ask if the company offers special rates for long-term cooperation.
The project cost depends on the agency’s rates, deadlines, and the quality of the files you want to receive. For instance, interior rendering can cost from $200 to $1500. In the case of exteriors, the price will range from $500 to $3000.
Yes. They allow you to make photorealistic images of the future object. High-quality images may be required for participation in a tender, printing large-format billboards, etc.
When choosing an agency, take into account its architectural projects portfolio, client reviews, and legal guarantees it provides.