The Glossary of 3D artists. Are you a 3D artist (or want to become one) and are looking for the most suitable way to express yourself and describe your projects to potential customers?
Terminology is a fundamental part of any business, almost like an art form. Mastering the correct terminology when working with a 3D artist and having a glossary of a 3D artist is vital. Learning the most suitable terminology for the 3D visualization sector also helps to communicate projects created with advanced 3D renderings in the most professional way possible.
The Glossary of 3D artists. Essential terminology for understanding 3D renderings
Let’s learn all the fundamental terms of the 3D artist’s glossary.
- Architectural 3D model
An architectural 3D model is a 3D representation of an architectural object. A building, landscape model, or anything that can be presented in 3D can be considered a 3D model.
- 3D rendering style
3D rendering is an extremely vast artistic world and can be characterized by many different styles. From watercolor to shading; knowing the different 3D rendering styles will also help you to have a critical view of the project itself.
- 3D wireframe modeling
Wireframe modeling is a form of 3D rendering that can be used to represent the skeleton of a model. Usually this modeling is used on draft work or in the early stages of 3D rendering so as to allow fundamental changes to be made to the model before the rest is created. This is one of the most common terms in the 3D artists glossary.
- Virtual tours
A virtual tour is one of the best known and most characterizing aspects of the architectural projects presented in a live interactive simulation. This form of 3D visualization allows you to really enter the project and experience its livability in a simulated environment.
This type of terminology refers to the number of polygons placed within a particular model. Low poly models are made up of low polygons, which makes the final product less precise and vague. These are easier models to create and are usually found in the initial drafts of projects. On the other hand, high poly models have a much smoother appearance, finer detail, and are usually used to define the final draft of an architectural model.
- High resolution vs. low resolution
Resolution implies the amount of detail (pixels) that an image can contain. The greater the number of pixels in a given image, the higher its resolution will be. Another term related to resolution is PPI (pixels per inch). Any image below 300 PPI should be considered low resolution.
- Interior rendering vs. exterior rendering
This is especially true for architectural projects. Each building has an exterior and an interior, so you need to make them both to get a good idea of what the structure as a whole will look like. Depending on what your project entails, you will need different renders with different details. The exterior rendering will show its main exterior features, materials, and dimensions. The interior rendering instead will show the floor plans of the rooms and floors, the suggested furniture, and all the unique interior features.
- Textures, reflections ,and lighting
Texturing is one of the essential pieces of a 3D rendering , with which it will be possible to obtain a texture of any model or structural part. Different textures will give your structure a different feel and finding the right texture should be considered an essential step in the 3D processing process.
- CG rendering vs. CG animation
CG rendering stands for computer generated rendering . Rendering is the process of rendering a 3D model from 2D images. A CG rendering is simply a synonym for 3D rendering. CG animation on the other hand is a photorealistic 3D animation that shows the rendering of your CG in a motion setting. It requires numerous 3D rendering frames , which are then animated into a 3D video to simulate motion.
- Post production
Post production is the final stage of the 3D rendering process . This is the step where all the final details are entered and where the design as a whole is polished and fine-tuned to be presented to colleagues or clients.
- Photorealism
Photorealism is a term that implies the amount of photorealistic detail placed within a model. To achieve a photorealistic product, a 3D visualization expert will need to make the final draft as perfect as possible, making it virtually indistinguishable from a real photograph.
- CAD
CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design . It’s a term used primarily to define software that helps 3D visualization experts design their model and is also the industry standard in 3D rendering . CAD software is used for everything from architectural design to engineering, making work much easier, more convenient, and faster.
- CGI
CGI stands for Computer-Generated Images, a concept that includes all computer-generated images, such as still or moving images in a 3D setting .
This is all you need in your personal 3D artist glossary!
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