Frequently Asked Questions – With Sandra Garland

Here at Architecture In Motion we are asked many questions related to creating CGIs and making sure your image is as you visioned.

As the Office Manager at Architecture in Motion, I get asked common questions on a daily basis that I thought would be helpful to clarify and share with you here. I’ll have a series of articles, but here are those questions a CGI visualisation company are asked.

What Information Do You Need To Quote?

Everything has to have a start. To make sure I send to you an accurate breakdown, I don’t require full Architects drawings (just yet), but as much information to help you with a definite cost.

What do I need from you to quote?

– Drawings (these can be PDF at this stage) which include a siteplan (with landscape levels) and elevations.

– Mark-up of the viewpoint(s) that you would like

For interiors – let us know which rooms you would like a CGI and if the furniture is to be bespoke or based on using a library of our existing furniture. I’ll then send the quote for you to check and when all is ok with you to proceed we’ll schedule your new image.

Any specific detail that you would like to have a chat about before we progress, give me a call or if you’d like to speak to one of our visualisers, we’re here to offer our expert opinion.

How Much Does A CGI Cost?

This is one of those questions that gets asked from time to time, let me explain. Every project is treated separately and there is no a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Every customer has different needs and aspirations for their project.

With a range of projects from interiors to exteriors and all of different levels of complexity and detail, the cost is bespoke for each project.

Every quote is determined by: the number of images that you would like; the nature of the project; the environment that the image is set within; the size and scale of the development. Every project is treated separately to make sure that the quote you receive is precise.

 

What Do You Need To Proceed With A CGI Image?

Once everything is approved and you are comfortable to proceed with your new image (or series of images), similar to the quote, we need as much detail but in a more defined format. For all projects we require approved CAD DWG files.

We can work with PDF or line drawings, but it is a longer investment of time from the studio team and this will need to be mentioned during the quoting process. The CAD DWG files we need (you can get these from your architect) are elevations, floor plans and the site plan.

In addition we require an external material schedule which typically includes brick colours, roof material, garage/door colours, etc. For interior imagery, if you have a particular style that you would like us to follow, let us know what you would like to see.

If you are using particular appliances as much detail on a product would be fantastic. Also, if you have an internal material list that outlines flooring material, wall colours, etc. to proceed we require the approval of the quote in writing or your companies purchase order.

The next step is to schedule this in for you and I’ll come back with a date for your first draft.

What Is A Photomontage?

Photomontages are a great way to showcase a new development within an existing environment. In the simplest way, a photomontage is where we build a model to be placed within an existing photograph.

Have a look at a before and after image, to see what I mean.

Bristol CGI_Architecture In Motion

Here is a before image. We work from an actual photograph.

Bristol CGI_architecture in motion

Here is what the image looked like after a CGI helping hand.

The process works where a customer sends to us a high-resolution photo and detail for what needs to be modelled within the image.

Don’t worry, if you can’t access the site, we can help by making a site visit and take a number of images from suggested angles at your location.

A photomontage can become a cost effective option, as the environment currently exists and does not require a degree of landscaping and building the surrounding location. Our focus is to accurately model your development and then place within an existing image.


If there is anything that you would like to discuss in more detail just get in touch. You can contact me on sg@architectureinmotion.com or give me a call on 0117 925 1050. Look forward to hearing from you.

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