How Revit Architecture Can Be Used for 3D Renders?

Originating in 2006 when a release of Autodesk Revit Building was renamed Autodesk Revit Architecture, Revit Architecture is a relative newcomer to the parametric 3D architectural modeling and architectural rendering software scene.

Revit Architecture is aimed at architectural design professionals and is suitable for projects across a range of architectural sectors, including home building and retail environments. Revit modeling tools and features support collaborative BIM (Building Information modeling) workflows and data generation. Beyond this Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP (Mechanical Electrical Plumbing) users all operate using the same digital model within the Revit Architecture modeling and rendering environment.Utilizing parametric design processes, when elements in Revit Architecture are changed, adjacent elements are automatically modified maintaining previously established relationships within a single project file.

Through BIM as opposed to CAD (computer-aided drafting), Revit Architecture can leverage the dynamic information in such intelligent models allowing complex structures to be efficiently and accurately designed and detailed in a productive way.The Revit modeling environment includes architectural 3D modeling concept design tools as well as area and material analysis tools and allows for the production of pre construction floor plans, elevations and sections as well as 3D views.

3D rendering is important as it allows architects and associated professionals communicate their architectural design intent through 3D views to clients and other project stakeholders, such as planning authorities as well as the general public, including during the design development stage of a project. The main strength of using a 3D rendering tool is for enhanced architectural visualisation. It can be used in architectural competitions or during a competitive architectural commissioning process. In these instances an architectural rendering will be required to promote an "architectural vision." The client and particular requirements for a 3D render will determine the render type needed to reflect various construction planning, site planning or project management (such as project phasing) prerogatives.

Architectural rendering using Revit Architecture facilitate the creation of realistic 3D views. it allows the portrayal of external context, building materials and natural and artificial and lighting effects. It brings to life what can otherwise be purely diagrammatic digital models and eliminates the mundane and repetitive tasks associated with CAD design and the time spent in carrying it out. It favours enhanced architectural visualisation and project management. It can reduce risk and provide spatial insights into how buildings, such as homes and retail facilities will be with the aim of improving design quality and project delivery. Combining these benefits can ultimately lead to improved productivity.

The fact that an architectural rendering is produced by algorithms, as in ray-tracing, means they are fundamentally a simulation of how materials look and how light interacts, in a given context. A watch point is that it can be easy to lose sight of an architectural design concept and become distracted by such detail. A balance and appropriate level of detail or level of development is required during the pre-construction phase.It is a straightforward process to perform 3D architectural rendering from Revit Architecture as all of the necessary information is contained within the digital model. An experienced user can create realistic and accurate families of elements within models ranging from furniture to lighting fixtures as well as import existing models from other programs. Users can use elements of the digital model or make their own model and define their own materials or start with a "generic" material.

3D Renders produced through Revit Architecture may be not as polished as Autodesk 3ds Max but they are instantly available and architectural rendering views can be shown in drawings created from the digital model and be updated in real time as a design develops.

Kuldeep Bwail, Director at XS CAD, providing 3D Architectural Modelling,3D BIM Modeling to Homebuilder, Architect