Planning Permission Visuals

Using architectural visualisation to support planning and finance applications helps speed up the process and increases your chances of success when planning a new property development. A unique, accurate set of visuals can be used to win support from key stakeholders at government/council level, at banks or with investors and also the local community who will be impacted by the proposal.

Photomontage

A photomontage shows your development as part of its surroundings, and in the blink of an eye, puts your idea in the viewer’s imagination. We use plans and photography to produce a CGI model of your development, and blend this with professionally taken photographs of its location. We do this in a technically accurate way to ensure your development sits in its location as it would when constructed so that the images can be used in support of planning applications.

Clients Include:

Architectural Visualization Process

We create CGI architectural visualisations from architectural plans, photographs and using the information we discover during the project brief and planning stage. We can bring your vision to life in a technically accurate way but with a dash of artistic flair that ensures your image fits your brand and positioning. We adhere to the highest industry standards, and our dedicated team of 3D artists ensure no detail is missed.

Our 10 Step Process:

1. We work closely with our clients to establish a detailed brief. We need to understand your business objectives in order to produce the correct “fit for purpose” imagery. Once the brief has been established we create a written version of what was discussed and make use of reference images etc to communicate our ideas and concepts as effectively as possible. It is beneficial to everyone if the brief is rock solid to avoid situations where time is wasted during the creation phase.
2. Once the brief has been agreed we then request any final information that will be required to create the visualisations. We typically ask for some or all of the following: architectural plans, sections and elevations, architectural finishes specification, detailed sketches or concept sketches, a written brief, reference photographs showing examples of finishes, or perhaps photographic mood requirements or preferred compositions etc. Colours can be explained using the RAL or Pantone colour charts and codes and any textured finishes are best explained by providing a physical swatch of the material.
3. Finally, once we have everything we need to start and complete the project we begin work. The first step in the production process is to create the 3D model. The 3D modellers “trace over” the architects CAD line-work and turn the 2-dimensional drawings into 3-dimensional models. This model is checked by a senior member of the team and can be sent to the client for initial review.
4. We now model the landscape and some environmental context and add a basic lighting rig to the model. Stage 4 is called the “white model” stage. We now output a white coloured clay model image on multiple sides of the proposal. This image can be checked again by senior members of the team and sent to clients for review. This would be considered the first of three client proof stages.
5. Stage 5 is the texturing stage. At this point we add material finishes, textures and colours to the 3D model.  These are applied almost like a skin that wraps around the 3D form. At this point the 3D model starts to come to life and we are edging closer to a photo-realistic visualisation. Now the client will receive proof stage two of three for comment.
6. Based on the clients feedback we now make the final alterations and set the scene up ready for final processing. At this point all textures are refined and a high quality lighting rig is applied to the scene. Special effects are now added such as bloom, glare and depth of field. We typically process our images out around A3 size at 300 dpi. The processing stage takes place overnight in our studio where a computer could be running for 16 hours just to output one visualization.
7. The next stage in the process is called post-works. The output from the render engine will look great but it can at times look a bit raw and perhaps too perfect. Using Photoshop we enhance the raw render and add imperfections to make the visual more photo real.
8. The client now receives the final image in Jpeg format. At this stage it is very time consuming to go back and make changes however minor tweaks can be made in Photoshop such as tweaking a colour or removing blemishes etc.
9. If our client is happy they sign off the image at this stage. We now create the print ready files in the clients choice of formats. Quite often we get asked to output a layered / masked tiff. The mask gives the client or the clients designer greater control over the image and colours at the print stage.
10. Via Dropbox we now deliver the high resolution print ready files to the client. The delivered package of files usually contains some or all of the following: the print ready tiffs in CMYK, any required masks are setup in the channels within the tiffs, high resolution RGB Jpegs, and low resolution web friendly Jpegs. This package of visuals is usually enough to cover all basis however if our clients require any different formats such as PNG, BMP etc our artists will be happy to supply.