Virtual tours have become an integral part of modern architectural visualization, allowing clients to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a project before it is implemented. However, their creation requires time and resources, which depends on the complexity of the project and the technical capabilities of the contractor. In this article, we’ll look at the key factors that affect the timing of virtual tour development and share tips for optimizing this process.
Virtual tours open up new horizons in the presentation of architectural projects, allowing clients to get acquainted with the space in detail, even if the object is still under construction. However, the process of creating such a marketing tool requires significant resources and time. Let’s take a look at the key factors that affect the development time of virtual tours and tips on how to optimize this process.
Virtual tours are based on high-resolution panoramic 3D renders. To ensure that the image is realistic even when zoomed in, the resolution usually starts at 6K, but you as the customer should discuss this issue with your contractors for optimal results. Higher resolution avoids pixelation, but significantly increases rendering time, as high-quality panoramas require more computing resources.
Each viewpoint in a virtual tour is a panoramic image that allows the viewer to rotate 360 degrees. For a simple room, 2-3 such points are enough, and for complex spaces, such as multi-level interiors or large-scale public buildings, their number can increase significantly.
Preparing a 3D scene for the first point takes the most time. Subsequent points are added more quickly, but the need to harmonize lighting and mood between all panoramas increases, which also requires additional effort.
The time to create a virtual tour directly depends on the complexity of 3D modeling. If most elements can be taken from ready-made libraries, this will significantly speed up the process. For example, having a large database of furniture and decor models in the studio allows you to quickly adapt the project to the client’s needs. If you have 3D models in the appropriate extensions and can pass them on to developers, it will also reduce the cost and speed up the process of creating a tour.
However, detailed projects that require modeling of unique elements will increase the time required. Also, to ensure the integrity of the space, you have to include additional details, such as the view from the window or adjacent rooms.
The more complex the layout of the room and its decor, the more time it takes to create a virtual tour. A simple office or room requires a minimum of viewpoints, while rooms with complex elements, such as balconies, stairs, or areas with different heights, require much more attention.
In addition, the integration of additional features, such as a smooth transition between points, increases the number of renders and the overall time to complete a project.
One of the key factors affecting the rendering time is the availability of a rendering farm. Using a cluster of powerful computers can significantly speed up the processing of complex images and animations. If you use a professional visualization studio, you don’t need to worry about this issue, because your contractor is responsible for optimizing the process.
How to optimize the process?
A virtual tour is a complex but extremely effective tool for presenting architectural projects. Understanding the key factors that affect the time of work will help you plan the process and get a quality result on time. Regardless of the scale of the project, investing in a professional virtual tour will pay off with customer interest and a positive impression of your design.
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