High end rendering software and its use in architectural practices

Abstract

The rise of computers has lead to many developments in the field of electronic assistance and subsequently produced many reports. This is one such report. There is no doubt today that computer software provides an invaluable service in most architectural practices and more companies are exploring the use of visualization options such as VRML, interactive animation, daylight studies and, artificial lighting simulation. All of these features work in one direction - to convey ideas about a design from the designer to the client and sometimes from the designer to her/himself. The software simulates spatial concepts and can display material characteristics as well as textural implications. Although these functions exist as standard tools on nearly all of the latest drafting software there is another more advanced set of high end rendering programs which can produce photo-realistic visualisations. This report looks at this family of programs and assesses their ability to offer a better understanding of architectural concepts.