However, since everyone needs to start somewhere, our article starts from the very beginning. The aftermentioned tips are meant to guide people new to the world of 3D interior design. Experienced people reading this could learn a few things, but we doubt it because this is the ultimate newbie guide!
Starting with the Right Tools
Becoming an architect or even an interior designer took a lot of time and effort. Though to take things to the next level these days you’ll have to learn how to use 3D interior design software. Being ready to start is a sign that you’re willing to learn. You can Google and find a bunch of tools which can be pretty confusing. That’s why below are a couple we recommend that you learn.
- SketchUp – It is a pretty basic software and an excellent place to start. However, the fact is that its limited toolset means you’re not going to get very far using it. So, once you learn a little of SketchUp, what you’ve acquired here can be used in other interior design software. But it isn’t something we recommend you use to woo clients.
- Unreal Engine 4 – It was initially developed for gaming and is still used for it. However, it has since then become a pretty good tool for architects. That said while it is very good, it is also very difficult to learn. The upside is that Unreal Engine 4 comes with VR support which means you can always take your clients through a virtual walkthrough of the building’s interior.
- Autodesk 3Ds Max – 3Ds Max is slightly easier to learn than Unreal Engine 4 and isn’t too far behind in the functionality department either. You have access to a great set of tools which will help you render, simulate and visualize various types of interiors.
- Autodesk Revit – Anyone who wants to become a pro should earn Revit. You have to know Revit even if you’re serious about working as an architect since it addresses all the technical aspects of designing as much as it addresses creativity. So, 3D interior designers have a lot of room to maneuver.
Never Build from Scratch
Many novice interior designers will start more than eager to play around with all the new tools. Though as the project becomes more complex over time, you’ll not have the time to continue making each object from scratch. That’s where using .SKP files come in.
Despite an .SKP being a SketchUp file format, they happen to be very handy since they are supported by 3DS Max and Revit. So, all you need is to import these to speed up the process of completing your project.
Below is a list of some excellent SKP resources:
Prioritize Assets for the Project
Every project you design for the interior of an office, home or building needs to be broken down into smaller assets. The assets will give you a better picture of how many of them you have to create. Then from there, you will have to prioritize.
Why that matters? It can be impossible to make each of the assets in your project look perfect unless of course, you have unlimited time and resources. That’s why when you prioritize, you can make the ones with the highest priority the best. Usually, these will be assets which are the cornerstone of the design process. Since the assets vary, we strongly advise that you make the list early on.
Tweak the Lighting
When it comes to interior design the lighting matters. The right type of lighting will bring your 3D interior to life and give the scene a unique and attractive look. So, don’t just stick with natural lights, play around a little.
Apart from using windows as the entry points of light, you can add directional lights and spotlights. Shadows are created by the use of spotlights, and they help to add vividness to the scene. If there are items you want to highlight in the scene then directional light is a great option.
Finalize your Concept with Textures
Now, apart from lighting you also need to consider the textures used in the interior design. If you want the scene to look realistic, you need to pick the right textures and materials. In this regard, you’ll want to choose the best quality textures you can find. The better the quality, the better will be the outcome.
You will also want to tweak the textures to suit the scene. So which options should you tweak? Well, the most important ones are reflectivity and gloss though you’ll also want to adjust the roughness of the materials. The roughness matters if you’re using metal, stone or wood in the scene since they have varying degrees of roughness.
Conclusion
The tips we’ve mentioned above will help to make your 3D interior design process easier and the design itself stand out. Your interior 3d design will mainly depend on how you use lighting and textures as well as how hard each item appears. Plus, make sure to get the right camera angles so that it is possible to capture the 3D interior design in the most breathtaking way.
