3D ANIMATION FOR ARCHITECTURE: 5 BEST ANGLES AND VIEWS TO SHOWCASE PROJECTS

3D animation for architecture is the ultimate tool for architects and developers to present projects to their potential clients. Nothing can explain architectural concepts as clearly as a digital video. It can show every aspect of the design in great detail and photoreal quality. Unlike drawings, sketches, and still renders, 3D videos demonstrate designs in motion, giving the audience a life-like experience. So, 3D animations are not just informative but also highly engaging and immersive for the viewers. And most importantly, they allow architects and their clients to communicate in the visual language and understand each other easily. 

However, to make the most of CGI animation for architecture, an architect needs to think through every detail of it. Which includes choosing the perspectives from which a building will be shown. There are winning angles that allow to clearly highlight the selling points of the design. So, what are they, and which ones to choose for your 3D animation? Learn about 5 most flattering angles to showcase your architecture design in full splendor!

A 3D animation with such a perspective shows a building and its surroundings from high above. This angle is called a bird’s eye or aerial view. It feels as if the viewer was observing an architectural object from a helicopter. The camera angle in an aerial CG video is not straight: the view is angled at about 40 degrees. This perspective in 3D animation allows the audience to understand if the hero building is in harmony with the surroundings. Another advantage of a bird’s eye view is that it demonstrates the neighborhood in detail. 

What’s more, such a perspective allows the author of the design to show how the rooftop will be used. In some projects, there might be a green garden, a chill zone, or a restaurant on the roof of a building. If an unusual way of using a rooftop space is one of the selling points of a project, a 3D animation for architecture with a bird’s eye view will highlight perfectly.

Similarly to a bird’s eye view, a close-up aerial perspective shows a building from above at a slight angle. The difference is that the viewpoint is set a bit lower and closer to the object. A 3D animation for architecture with a close-up aerial view allows to take a precise look at the materials used for construction. Moreover, it helps to examine architectural elements such as windows and doors, exterior lighting systems, and so on. So, the viewers get a comprehensive understanding of a project. For example, a client who is planning to use the designed building as their office will see where their logo will be placed, understand if the design matches the brand’s overall aesthetics, and so on.

In this case, viewers see the building as if they were standing right in front of it. That is why a human-eye level view is the best to show how the architectural object will look for regular passers-by. What’s more, a 3D animation for architecture showing properties at this angle helps the audience grasp the atmosphere of the place. To convey the ambiance, 3D artists add contextual elements to the CG footage. These can be people, vehicles, plants, animals, etc. For instance, a 3D animation showing a new school can feature figures of kids hurrying up to a lesson. Or, a CG video of a summer cottage can show people relaxing on the terrace. Such details help viewers imagine how this place would look and feel in real life. 

A worm’s-eye perspective in a 3D animation for architecture design is the direct opposite of a bird’s eye view. It allows the audience to see the building up from below. In a CG video for architecture, this angle is used to highlight the scale of the construction. When looking at a building from this perspective, the viewers experience its grandness. While other above-mentioned options provide practical benefits, such as understanding the design aesthetics and learning about the neighborhood, a worm’s-eye view is usually just a creative trick. It is used to impress the audience, to create a wow-factor. 

This view is not used often in 3D animation for architecture. But it is definitely worth attention because it can add vividness and life to the CG footage. How so? If a 3D video includes scenes with contextual elements, focusing on them will give a better idea of the atmosphere of the place. Of course, showing the building itself is important but showcasing contextual details separately will add flavor to the presentation.

For example, if a future cottage will be located near a lake, a 3D animation can include a scene showing a wooden pier and a boat on the water. Or, it can show a peacefully swaying hammock on the terrace. Such scenes evoke the viewers’ imagination and help them build an emotional connection with the project. Which makes them more likely to approve it. 

To win the audience, a 3D animation for architecture has to show the future building from the best perspectives. Now, when you know the specifics and advantages of the 5 winning angels mentioned above, you can easily choose what fits your project best. 

Want to showcase your architecture projects in the best light to turn prospects into clients with ease? Contact a professional 3D animation company and get the best CG videos of your masterpieces!