Creating stunning exterior CGIs requires attention to detail and a solid understanding of how light, textures, and perspective can bring a building to life. Here’s a guide to the essential do’s and don’ts for crafting realistic and eye-catching exterior CGIs.
Attractive Sky Adds Realism
Do: The sky is one of the first things viewers notice, so it’s important to make it as realistic as possible. Ensure the lighting and cloud formations match the overall scene, with sunlight coming from a believable direction. Vary the intensity of the light, reflecting the time of day and the weather, to create a natural effect. Including the horizon, when possible, adds depth and helps ground the scene in reality.
Don’t: Avoid using generic or overly dramatic skies that don’t match the lighting of your scene. A flat, unrealistic sky can make the entire image feel artificial and disconnected.
Tree & Plant Detail
Do: Trees and plants are essential to bringing the outdoors to life. Make sure that the foliage is varied, with differentiated leaves and flowers to give a sense of dimension and realism. Balance is key—while you want the landscape to look neat and well-designed, it’s also important to maintain a touch of natural wildness. Realism comes from imperfections, so add a few wild shrubs or uneven patches to avoid the scene looking too staged.
Don’t: Don’t use flat, repetitive textures for vegetation. Trees and plants that look too symmetrical or uniform will feel unnatural and detract from the realism of the scene.
Surface Texturing
Do: Surface textures, like detailed stonework, brickwork, and tiling, are essential for showcasing the quality of the materials used in the building. Textures should be rich and varied to highlight the craftsmanship and design of the exterior. Unique colours and natural patterns will bring materials to life, making the building feel solid and tactile.
Don’t: Avoid using dull or repetitive textures, as these can make the exterior look flat and lifeless. If surface details aren’t accurate, it can make even the most well-designed buildings look uninspired.
Angle Selection
Do: The right angle can make all the difference in highlighting a building’s architecture. Low-angle shots can emphasise the scale and grandeur of a structure, making it feel more imposing and significant. Higher angle shots, on the other hand, can be great for showing off multiple details or features of the property, like a sprawling garden or the roof design. Avoid front-on views, as they often lack depth and interest.
Don’t: Avoid taking only front-on shots that fail to showcase the building’s full depth. Flat, head-on angles rarely do justice to a project and often miss important details.
Colour Contrast
Do: Pay close attention to the hues and colours used in your site materials. Differentiating between shades and textures is essential for a realistic image. Contrast adds depth and visual interest to the scene, whether it’s in the brickwork, roofing, or landscaping. A mix of natural and man-made materials with varied colours will help avoid a monochromatic look.
Don’t: Avoid using a palette that’s too uniform. A lack of contrast or variation can make the scene appear unrealistic and one-dimensional, taking away from the quality of your CGI.
Reflections & Shadows
Do: Reflections and shadows are key to creating a sense of realism. Accurately depicting reflections in windows and glass features can add a lifelike brightness to the scene, while shadows across the building and landscape create depth and context. Well-placed reflections can even offer a glimpse into another space, adding intrigue. Shadows help ground the structure, giving it a sense of weight and physical presence.
Don’t: Avoid missing or poorly placed reflections and shadows, as this can make the scene feel detached and artificial. Without them, your building may appear as if it’s floating in space rather than being rooted in a real-world environment.
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can create exterior CGIs that not only look beautiful but also feel believable, helping to bring your architectural vision to life in a way that resonates with your audience.
