Architectural animation

Computer-generated architectural animations are increasingly shaping the way architecture is represented . Computer generated animation in architecture is a display mode that is used both within the design process and for presentation and communication. Architectural animations are usually a short film that contains sequences of computer-generated images, the so-called Computer Generated Imagery (abbr .: CGI) of buildings, surroundings and other elements such as people and vehicles. In practice, they are based on architectural rendering , which is developed and processed by architectural illustrators using 3D graphics software . They contain scenarios with integrated environmental data, which create a virtual reality before the project is completed and which are of great importance within the design process as well as in the presentation phase. Architectural animations are used both for communication within the construction process towards developers and builders, and for marketing a project to investors or buyers.

Development of animation

“ Computer-generated animation developed from the first tools of Computer Aided Design ( CAD ), which initially analogously imitated conventional drawing in plan form, and finally passed from the two-dimensional plan-based representation form to a three-dimensional model structure. Due to the rapid development of CAAD ( Computer-aided architectural design ), in particular through the integration of surface textures and lighting control, the development towards a photo-realistic, computer-generated architectural representation began. From there, the step to animation followed, which was initially as a sequence of individual images understood. “Unlike the architectural rendering , which consists of a single image of the model, an architectural animation contains a series of several hundred to several thousand individual images that combine to form animated sequences of scenes .

Use and distribution

Today, architectural animation is widespread in both planning and commercial areas. Professional computer animations and renderings are created by 3-D visualization and rendering service providers who derive their proven display know-how from the architectural plan representation and from graphic design . With the further development of the two-dimensional representation towards a three-dimensional projection, established software providers offer visualization programs that are equipped with camera tools and rendering engines and that make architectural visualization combinable with the medium of film. Due to the high expenditure of time and rendering required to process individual images into high-quality scenes, the implementation of an animation in architecture requires a high level of expertise and specialization, the necessary hardware and software, and an interdisciplinary team consisting of architects , Communication experts, 3-D illustrators and animators .

Architectural visualizations compared to the film

According to the research project Designing Spaces, the University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , the current application practice in the field of architecture shows that there is a need for development in the creation of architectural animations, because according to the authors, the architectural animation developed from the Computer Aided Architectural Design CAAD , without having to deal with the possibilities of film. The professional group of visualizers create films in order to present a spatial concept seemingly objective and as an alleged reality, which results in a need for research that seeks a transdisciplinary view of the new possibilities of spatial representation and allows the specific perspective of cinematic competence to flow into the field of architectural animation . The study deals in detail with the visual conventions in cinematic space, which are still insufficiently observed in architectural animation.

Future topics in architecture visualization and animation

Architecture animations are used today by architects, developers and marketing companies in the real estate sector, who, with increasing demand, have also included computer animations in their marketing programs. Investors and buyers are more likely to convince themselves of a realistic depiction of a project than with simple floor plans or drawings.

Based on an architecture rendering, in addition to an extensive animation, a simple tour (3D walk-through) and panorama can be developed. Apart from marketing , architectural visualization and animation will become more important in the following areas with the ongoing development:

urban planning

Landscape planning

Restoration of architectural monuments

Product design and engineering

GIS ( geographic information systems )

education

Simulation and restoration of cultural monuments and ancient architecture

Virtual set-up and shopping

literature

Schmitt, Gerhard (1999), Basis and Future of CAAD, Basel a. a. Schmitt, Gerhard, (1993) Architectura et Machina, Wiesbaden. Engeli, Maia (2000), Digital Stories - The Poetics of Communication, Basel a. a. Garcia Alvarado, Rodrigo; Monedero Isorna, Javier (2005), The fragmented Eye. Cinematographic Techniques for Architectural Animation, in: 22nd eCAAD Conference Proceedings, Copenhagen 15. – 18. Nov, 366-373. Garcia Alvarado, Rodrigo; Alvarez, Gino; Parra, Juan Carlos; Navarro, Sergio (2005), Filmic Development of Architectural

Web links

Individual evidence

^ University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, Section 3.2.1. Computer generated animations in architecture
^ University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, section 3.1.
↑ Summary of the last paragraph in the research report of the study Designing Spaces, Section 3.2.1., Computer-generated animations in architecture, University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Institute for Design and Art Research
↑ University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, Sect. 3.2.2.
^ Architectural Animation becomes Alive, Marc Aurel Schnabel
↑ Showcase of commercially implemented 3D architectural visualizations
↑ Examples of interactive 3D panoramas

[1] University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, Section 3.2.1. Computer generated animations in architecture

[2] University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, section 3.1.

[3] Summary of the last paragraph in the research report of the study Designing Spaces, Section 3.2.1., Computer-generated animations in architecture, University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Institute for Design and Art Research

[4] University of Design and Art of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland , Institute for Design and Art Research, research report of the study Designing Spaces, Sect. 3.2.2.

[5] Architectural Animation becomes Alive, Marc Aurel Schnabel

[6] Showcase of commercially implemented 3D architectural visualizations

[7] Examples of interactive 3D panoramas