An accurate calculation of rendering time is key to the successful completion of a project. Underestimating deadlines can create a ripple effect: delays in the visualization phase can push back construction schedules, slow marketing campaign launches, and postpone real estate sales, as investors and buyers may not receive the necessary materials on time. This article will explore the factors influencing rendering speed, what can accelerate or delay the process, and our insights on the time required for different types of architectural visualization.
Why Is It Important to Understand How Long Rendering Takes?
In architecture, interior design services, and development, there is no room for compromise when it comes to deadlines. For example, for architects working on a residential complex project, a rendering delay could lead to a missed deadline for submitting construction permit documents. If facade or interior visualizations are delayed, approvals may also be pushed back, leading to a postponed construction start and additional costs. For developers preparing a presentation for investors or a marketing campaign to sell real estate, a delay in renders can derail the deal and delay the project's start. This can affect financial performance and damage the company’s reputation. When working on the interior of an apartment, a new restaurant, or a hotel, all participants in the process, including contractors and suppliers, depend on the finished visualizations. Every day of delay in delivering visualizations leads to downtime and can seriously affect the project's reputation. Understanding the realistic timelines for creating 3D visualizations helps avoid these crisis situations, plan work, and control all stages of the project.
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Common Misconceptions About Rendering Time
Full Automation of Processes
With advancements in technology and the integration of AI, it may seem like creating 3D visualizations takes only a few hours, as many tasks can now be performed automatically by programs without human intervention. However, the reality is more complex. Automated algorithms can accelerate the process, but highly detailed renders still require manual refinement. Realistic textures, complex lighting, and carefully considered composition don’t come together instantly. Moreover, each visualization is developed individually for a specific project, which involves analysis, material setup, color schemes, and lighting scenarios.
Format Doesn’t Affect the Time It Takes to Create a Visualization
There is a misconception that all types of 3D renders take the same amount of time to create. This is not true. A still render is a single image in which every element of the scene, from lighting to textures, is calculated in one frame. The time required to create a render depends on the complexity of the scene and the level of detail. However, it generally takes less time because only a single frame needs to be rendered. Rendering considers aspects such as placed objects, lighting, and textures, but ultimately results in a static image. For example, a living room 3D rendering, with its detailed work on furniture, lighting, and textures, may take longer to render than simpler interior scenes.
3D animation, on the other hand, consists of a series of images, where each frame must be calculated separately. For this, not only the objects and textures need to be worked out, but also dynamic elements, such as people and car movements, as well as changes in lighting, shadows, and time of day. Each frame of the animation goes through a complex calculation process, starting with the basic elements of the scene and moving on to more complex effects, such as reflections or light interaction with objects. Additionally, animation requires far more meticulous preparation—object behavior, interactions, camera movements, and frame transitions must all be carefully planned. All these factors make animation far more complex and resource-intensive than static renders, significantly increasing production time.
You Can Get a Perfect Image Without Editing
Even with modern 3D rendering software and technologies like V-Ray, Corona, or Unreal Engine, rendering rarely goes without adjustments. Each project is unique and requires test renders to fine-tune lighting, materials, and textures. For example, lighting can change depending on the time of day, the angle of light, or the type of sources – natural or artificial. To create the desired atmosphere, specialists perform several test renders, analyzing the results and making adjustments. Even with a perfectly set up scene, post-processing may be needed after the final render, such as color correction, contrast improvement, or small tweaks in post-production.
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3D Visualization Timeline: From Brief to Final Result
The process of creating 3D visualizations involves several key stages, and depending on the format, the timelines may vary. Let's take a closer look at the timeline for different types of 3D visualization based on CYLIND's experience and answer the question: how long does 3D rendering take?
How Long Does It Take to produce a 3D Animation?
Creating a 3D animation is a multi-step process, and its timeline can vary greatly depending on the level of detail, production workflow, and rendering demands.
Preparation Phase & Scenario
After receiving drawings, 3D models, materials, references, location (Google Maps), and preferred angles from the client, we define key scenes for animation. We then develop the script, style, camera movement, music, and animated elements, as well as prepare and optimize the 3D models for each scene.
Pre-Composition
At the pre-composition stage, we demonstrate the plot through video from the 3ds Max viewport, synchronized with music, to show camera movement and scene composition. If additional shots are added, we track the camera for precise alignment with the 3D scene. Adjustments are made to the camera movement, scene geometry, and framing to achieve the most accurate and expressive result.
Preview Key Frames
At the color preview stage, we create static images of key scenes in full color, allowing the client to approve materials, environment, and project atmosphere. If needed, adjustments are made, including changes to textures, lighting, and overall scene atmosphere.
Low-Quality Video Preview
We create an HD preview – a low-quality video (1200×720 px, 25 fps) with text, infographics, and animated objects such as trees, cars, and people. One round of adjustments is made to the animation of objects and text.
Final Render
The final render is performed in Full HD (1920×1080 px, 24 fps) with post-processing and effects to ensure high-quality imagery for the final video version.
Total timeline for architectural animation: 2-6 weeks, depending on the complexity and duration of the video, which directly affects how long it takes to render a 3D animation.
How Long Does It Take to Produce a Still Render?
The timeline for a still render is determined by the level of detail, visual effects, and the intricacy of the elements involved, with more detailed work requiring additional time for refinement.
Preparation and Briefing
We start with discussing the client's requirements, creating conceptual drawings, and an overall understanding of the project. This stage typically accounts for 30% of the total working time.
Time: 1 day.
Model Development and Material Enhancement
After the concept is approved, we detail the 3D model and improve materials and textures. This stage takes up to 40% of the time.
Time: 2 days.
Revisions and Detailing
Once the client provides feedback, we make all necessary changes and improvements, including adjusting lighting and textures, conducting post-processing, rendering, and returning the project to the client for approval.
Time: 2 days.
Finalizing and Final Rendering
When all changes are made and the client approves the final version, we render the final image in full resolution (e.g., 4000 px).
Time: 1 day.
Total timeline for a static image: 1-2 weeks, depending on project complexity and client feedback speed, influencing how long it takes to render a 3D image.
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Reasons for Increased Rendering Time
Level of Photorealism
The higher the requirements for image quality, the longer the 3D rendering process will take. Photorealistic images, such as exterior and interior renderings, demand meticulous attention to detail—complex reflections, glass transparency, and detailed environment modeling—all of which require more computational power and time.
Delayed Client Feedback
Timely client feedback is crucial for meeting deadlines. If the client does not provide comments or edits on time, the revision process is delayed, leading to shifted deadlines and delays in the final project version. Clear and timely communication helps avoid downtime and speeds up the rendering completion.
High CPU and GPU Load
If the hardware cannot handle the volume of calculations, rendering can take significantly more time. An underpowered CPU, limited RAM, or a weak GPU leads to long scene processing times, especially when using complex lighting and high-resolution textures. In such cases, the process can be accelerated by upgrading hardware or utilizing cloud rendering.
Team Professionalism
One of the main factors affecting rendering speed and quality is the professionalism of the visualization studio. A lack of experience and architectural expertise among 3D artists can significantly slow down the process – incorrectly interpreted drawings, incompatible materials, and lighting, incorrect proportions, require constant revisions, and extend the project deadline.
At CYLIND, our specialists have an architectural background, combining expertise in 3D architectural rendering with a deep understanding of design principles. This allows them to quickly grasp the concept from the briefing stages, offer optimal solutions, and avoid errors that could slow down the visualization process. Additionally, thanks to deep industry knowledge, our artists can suggest alternative ideas and improvements that the client may not have even considered, thus increasing the value of the final product.
How to Speed Up Rendering?
Different types of rendering services, such as real estate 3D rendering services, professional 3D floor plan rendering, or 3D hotel rendering, each come with unique demands that can affect the overall rendering timeline. Efficient workflow can speed up the process for these projects.
Adding Additional Specialists to the Project
For tight deadlines, one solution could be to involve additional specialists. Professional studios always have the resources to mobilize extra capacity to meet deadlines.
Process Optimization
To meet the deadline, a professional studio knows which intermediate stages can be shortened. For example, one option is to skip post-processing during the test image phase. This will reduce the render time and lower project costs.
Choosing the Latest Technologies
Using modern technologies like V-Ray and Unreal Engine can significantly speed up the visualization process without compromising quality. These programs feature optimized algorithms that make rendering faster and more accurate. Additionally, using AI helps cut down draft preparation time. A professional studio that works daily with 3D visualizations has a complete set of licensed programs, powerful equipment, and experienced specialists, allowing them to execute orders efficiently, without compromising on quality, and adhering to all industry technical standards. You won’t need to delve into all the organizational and technical details of the process when delegating this task to a professional 3D visualization studio. The specialists will handle all the complexities, making the process as smooth as possible for everyone involved, and ensuring high-quality results on time.
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