"Photorealism has been espoused by the computer graphics community because of its exactness. But if you specify all the light sources and the optical characteristics of all the materials, and simulate the physics of light with the utmost fidelity, then the resulting image is fully determined," says Richens. "There's nothing left to the imagination."
One way of achieving a more impressionistic style is through the use of 3D software, such as Informatix Software International's Piranesi, a digital paint program that can be used with the rendering capability of many 3D packages, such as 3ds max and viz, Micro Station, Archi CAD, ArtLantis, and LightWave. The end product of a university-industry collaboration, Piranesi was researched and prototyped by Richens's academic team, then developed for the consumer market by Informatix.
Using Piranesi, architects are creating artistically rendered images, such as those that appear on the following pages, that look more like gallery artwork than business presentations. -Karen Moltenbrey
A shopping center proposal, created by Paulo Pinho of OMNI Computer Graphics (Brazil); initially modeled in 3ds max.
A business park development, created by Roger Matthews of Scott Brownrigg and Turner Ltd. (UK); initially modeled in MicroGDS.
A proposed entrance to an existing shopping center, created by Chris Arnold of Gresham, Smith & Partners (US); initially modeled in 3ds max.
Villas in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, created by Awatco VPS (UAE); initially modeled in ArchiCAD and ArchiTerra.
Design study for a park, created by Miller Hare (UK); initially modeled in AutoCAD.
The Garden State Hi-Tech Park, created by Charles Gaushell of Paradigm Productions (US); initially modeled in LightWave 3D.
Apart Hotel, created by Paulo Pinho of OMNI Computer Graphics (Brazil); initially modeled in 3ds max.
Shopping center proposal, created by Paulo Pinho of OMNI Computer Graphics (Brazil); initially modeled in 3ds max.
Cathedral of Vitoria, created by Paulo Pinho of OMNI Computer Graphics (Brazil); initially modeled in 3ds max.