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Issue Date: June 2003

Rendering improves the architectural process

1 June 2003

Dimension Modeling, a company that specialises in various aspects of the 3D visualisation industries, including architectural, engineering, construction and other industries have used Bentley's 3D and rendering tools to great effect. This is their story.
As CAD entered the architectural and engineering industries, the traditional drawing board became a sketch board for design purposes. Accurate 2D documentation could be captured on computer for working drawings. CAD implementation also allowed easy and efficient changes and duplications to working drawings.
The advances in hardware and software from the early to mid '90s resulted in the use of 3D in design and manufacturing becoming a reality. The manufacturing industry led the way in implementing high-end CAD and CAM systems. Architectural practices followed 3D visualisation for presentation purposes and later for design purposes.
3D images play a valuable role in the design and presentation of buildings and structures in the modern architectural practise. Dimension Modeling has been involved in early mass studies to final presentation graphics; the complete process of design and design development can now be documented in visual form for both the client and the professionals involved.
The company believes that complete design will develop with the use of 3-dimensional studies using a variety of complex modelling shapes and cures, publishing the results to digital imagery and animations. Architecture, like most design industries, moves through evolutionary stages as designers burst bubbles, materials develop to new standards and as technology allows the design, visualisation and construction of more advanced buildings.
Dimension Modeling has completed the 3D modelling and visualisation of multiple design solutions using MicroStation TriForma as both 3D modelling and rendering tool. Various lighting studies, material colour variations, finishing and texturing details, etc, have been updated, changed and explored through the change of material attachments or referencing different light set-ups. The company has helped many architects in detail studies publishing digital images from pencil concept sketches. The use of 3D allows for changes to be updated with ease and the rendering of these changes ensures complete design integrity between architect and client. One of the major advantages is that the designer can now explore more options quicker, and the client can verify these designs resulting in a more complete design through accurate 3D visual communication.
Building simulation can also be graphically explored and explained via 3D visual images and animations. Bentley also has simulator software, Bentley Schedule Simulator, to help project managers describe the building process to all involved - the so-called 4D CAD process, the fourth dimension being the time factor. This not only explains the project timeline to all the professionals, but also shows any conflicts in build methods and procedures before it occurs.
Dimension Modeling believes that the advantage of having an architectural modelling application such as Microstation TriForma underlines the importance of using visualisation in the design process for overall design integrity.
For more information contact Bentley Systems on, 011 462 5811.


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