In the dynamic world of architecture, finding the right tools to bring creative visions to life is crucial. This narrative celebrates Steve Trong, an ambitious architecture designer whose career took a significant leap forward with the help of Modelo. Discover how Steve’s integration of SketchUp models into Modelo’s cutting-edge platform not only enhanced his presentation skills but also amplified his efficiency, marking a transformative era in his professional journey.
The Challenge
Steve’s story began with a challenge familiar to many in the architecture field: the struggle to share and present 3D models effectively across various devices. The traditional methods were not cutting it, with long rendering times and the need for high-end hardware limiting the spontaneity and flexibility essential for client meetings, particularly those conducted remotely or on-site.
The Solution
That’s when Modelo came into the picture. Steve was in search of a solution that would let him upload his SketchUp models and view them online with ease, no matter the device. Modelo stood out as the perfect fit. Its user-friendly interface meant that within minutes, Steve could have his designs uploaded and ready to be showcased in stunning clarity on both laptops and smartphones.
The Transformation
The adoption of Modelo was a game-changer for Steve. Freed from the constraints of physical hardware and software limitations, he could now present his architectural designs in any setting, enhancing the dynamic of client interactions.
The platform’s interactive presentation capabilities allowed clients to explore designs in real time, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that was instrumental in refining projects more efficiently. Feedback could be shared directly on the platform, making the revision process smoother and faster, which in turn significantly cut down project timelines.
The Success
Modelo’s impact on Steve’s work was unmistakable. Projects that previously took weeks to present and refine were now streamlined into a matter of days. This not only allowed Steve more time for creativity and experimentation but also vastly improved client satisfaction.
Steve’s ability to consistently exceed client expectations with the help of Modelo’s platform led to an increase in referrals and more significant project opportunities, propelling his career in architecture design to new heights.
Conclusion
Steve Trong’s journey with Modelo underscores the platform’s transformative potential for architects and designers. By simplifying the presentation and collaboration process, Modelo has empowered professionals like Steve to showcase their work in unprecedented ways, paving the path for innovation and career advancement.
Inspired by Steve’s story? Ready to take your architectural design presentations to the next level? Join the innovative community of designers and architects who are achieving remarkable success with Modelo. Sign up now and begin your journey to transforming your professional landscape with Modelo.
Picture this: You are a few months into a villa design for your client and you guys are ready to finalize the designs with a meeting at a cafe. As you finish up you presentation, you turn towards your client, anticipation in the air, and posed the pivotal question,
“So, what do you think”
She turns to you and says,
”Well, I like it, I think. I don’t really know about the different styles, though. I like where this is going, but I want to see these three style options for my house design. Can I see them tomorrow?”
Your meeting ends, and you go back knowing you have a full week filled with late nights ahead of you to complete these renderings. On one hand, you don’t want to keep your client waiting. On the other, you know that this would take multiple all nighters to get all three options developed.
An Evolution in Design
What if… that process didn’t need to take a whole week? What if… it could have been done right on the same day, saving you hours of time?
This is where Modelo’s new AI Vision Tool comes in. With just a drag and drop of a photo, you can instantly visually show your client what the model could look like in a specific style. Right after that meeting in the cafe, you could meet up with your client again, a few hours later, so she can decide which style she likes most—instantly allowing you to move forward in your design process. Say goodbye to hours of wasted time on creating those concept design visuals.
Modelo’s AI Vision tool leverages algorithms that take input parameters, such as what your model looks like, style reference photos, and text prompts to swiftly generate a multitude of design alternatives based on your specifications.
Tip #1: Choose a Close-up Perspective
Zoom into a close up perspective in your model. Choosing the right perspective view of your model when you try to generate AI images matters. If your model is too small or hard to see, it will not produce the optimal results. If you find that the AI is not recognizing that perspective view of your model well, try shifting your perspective a bit! It might bring about a huge change.
Suboptimal Perspective
Optimal Perspective
Tip #2: Pick a Good Reference Photo
To achieve optimal results, make sure that the overall form of the building in the reference photo closely resembles your model. Curved architecture should match curves; straight lines should match straight lines; villas should match villas; and high-rises should match high-rises.
Reference Image
AI Generated Image
Text Prompt: villa, summer, wooden finishes, Eye-Level View
Tip #3: Utilize Text Prompting
To optimize results and get more specific in what you want, you can also add in text prompts to specify what you want. Being more descriptive and specific is a great way to allow the AI to generate your ideal villa design. Additionally, If you want the facade material to closely resemble the reference drawing, provide relevant information in the prompt to enhance the rendering effect. Notice how the more specific I got in my text prompts, the more detailed and realistic the generated images (compare top and bottom images)
Reference Image
AI Generated Image
Text Prompt: “The villa, featuring striking wood finishes, should exhibit sleek, contemporary design elements seamlessly integrated with the mountainous landscape. Emphasize the misty ambiance enveloping the surroundings, depicting a tranquil and mystical atmosphere. Showcase large windows offering panoramic views, wooden accents enhancing the villa’s connection to nature, and possibly terraces for outdoor relaxation.”
To help you in prompt generation, we have a prompt library and a prompt generator right in our Visions tool. To help you get started, try out these sample exemplar prompts on your own:
1. A villa set against a vibrant blue sky on a sunlit summer day. The villa should boast clean, white walls exuding a sense of purity and freshness, complemented by elegant wooden finishes that add warmth and character. Showcase the villa's modern architecture with well-defined lines and possibly expansive windows that capture the essence of openness and natural light. Highlight the serene atmosphere of a perfect summer day with the sky radiating a brilliant blue hue.
2. A modern-day villa featuring commanding black walls harmoniously contrasted with elegant wood finishes. The villa should showcase a sleek and minimalist exterior design, characterized by clean lines and geometric shapes. Emphasize large windows or glass panels to infuse natural light and openness. Incorporate strategic wood elements, such as trims, panels, or accents, enhancing the villa's sophistication.
3. Second floor balcony of a stylish villa in Los Angeles, characterized by pristine white walls contrasted with sophisticated gray wood finishes. Capture the essence of modern architecture prevalent in LA, emphasizing sleek lines and contemporary design. The villa should exude an aura of elegance and luxury, with the white exterior walls imparting a sense of sophistication while the gray wood accents add depth and refinement.
Tip #4: Use a Style Template
If achieving the perfect image using our reference photo function proves challenging, consider exploring our selection of style templates such as “Eye Level View” or “Minimalist Style”. These meticulously crafted templates harness optimized models to enhance image generation, ensuring superior composition and lighting for your desired outcome.
Use text prompting to add in specific details of what you want the design to look like when you are using one of our style templates to customize the templates.
Style Template: Minimalist Style
Conclusion
With Modelo AI Visions, instead of responding to your client with “Of course. I can get back to you next week on those concept designs.”, you can now say, “I can get back to you later today. It’ll be quick with Modelo.”
The future of villa design is not just about functionality and aesthetics; it’s about harnessing the power of technology to create spaces that resonate with the desires and visions of your clients. In a world where time is of the essence, AI Visions will become a game-changer in villa design. It’s not like AI will take over all your work. It’s really about saving all that time and energy you had to spend wasting on “potentials” and channeling that for further creativity. So don’t get left out, and join us in Modelo 2.0’s Vision to design not just another building, but the future of what architectural design could look like.
Modelo released a lot of new features these days. Today, we use the online 3D exhibition as an example to show how to use Modelo’s new feature – Combine Model in your real life.
Step 1: Invite your teammates and upload your models First, you need to invite team members to the same Modelo project and upload all models in the design exhibition. Then you can use Modelo’s “Combine Model” function to combine all the materials into one model.
Step 2: Adjust models’ location You can click the model on the left side and use the axis to adjust each model’s location. After finishing this step, the online design exhibition is almost done.
Step 3: Showcase the exhibition If you want to show this online design exhibition, walking inside must be a good choice. Using the Modelo’s walk mode, you can lead users into the exhibition and record the process via the walkthrough function.
Tips: If one of your individual models needs to be updated, just click the reload option on the model card. The model in the exhibition will be updated immediately and you don’t need to adjust its location again.
Step 4: Share your exhibition and collaborate online. Now, the online design exhibition is ready. You can share it with others and communicate in this model. People can leave a comment and vote for your favorite.
Isn’t that amazing? Upload your models and try it now!
An architecture diagram is a graphical representation of a set of concepts, that is part of the architecture, including their principles, elements, and components. However, it usually takes hours or days to create a qualified architecture diagram. Do you know that Modelo enables users to draw an architecture diagram in three minutes? Let’s see how to do it.
Let’s take the model in the picture as an example. If you want to create a beautiful analysis diagram, you need to distinguish levels with different colors first. You can select and color components by elements, layer or materials.
Next, the Modelo’s new feature – 3D arrow will help you finish the analysis diagram. You can switch plans to draw different 3D arrows and use operating axes to copy them.
You can also change the arrows’ color or size to enrich your diagram. By adjusting parameters, arrows can become auxiliary lines.
Finally, don’t forget to screenshot and get a high-resolution image. Modelo enables users to cut models and change styles quickly.
Isn’t that amazing? Upload your models and try them now!
Modelo can merge models now! In the recent update, Modelo enables users to combine multiple models into one. Come and see how you can do that in just two easy steps.
When you click the ”Combine Model“ option on the project page, you can select the models to be merged and open them on the same page. You can see the list of models on the left side of your window.
You can select the model through the list on the left and adjust their positions through the axes. Don’t forget to click the save button in the upper right corner after editing.
After the merge is completed, you can share the model with one click and complete online communication with others through the Model comment, which improves collaboration efficiency.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent work from home policies that companies around the globe were quick to enforce, many members of the AEC industry have found themselves adapting to the use of remote software — an unpredictable shift that will be the new reality for the foreseeable future. This blog will introduce 5 AEC software that works during Covid-19.
BIM 360 is a unified platform connecting project teams and data in real-time, supporting informed decision-making, and leading to more predictable and profitable outcomes. It offers the right tools for building project management, construction site management, and facility management. BIM 360 connects all project stakeholders to execute projects from conceptual design through construction and ultimately project turnover. As a single connected platform that brings data together in a common data environment, BIM 360 delivers the distinct advantage of being able to minimize the integration limitations of previous-generation software that often worked on disparate platforms, which enables project delivery and management across the building lifecycle.
Compared with other collaboration software, the biggest advantage of BIM360 is the real-time synchronization with Autodesk software such as Revit, CAD, and so on. For these users, BIM 360 is one of the best collaboration platforms now.
2. Naviswork
Naviswork is a BIM validation/checking software that is used primarily in construction industries to complement 3D design packages. It has 3 versions: Freedom, Simulate and Manage, which includes 5 main functions: design review, clash detection, construction simulation, quantification, and rendering. Clash detection is the most popular one.
Clash Detective enables users to implement interference detection. This means users can select parts of the model and look for places where the geometry conflicts. This is for finding faults in the design and leads to construction that is more precise and more efficient in terms of sustainability since waste and design errors can be minimized. It makes remoting design possible. This feature is available for Autodesk Navisworks Manage users only.
BIMobject provides a free BIM content platform to search for thousands of BIM objects. These objects can describe the parts of buildings in detail, and can also be integrated into digital models that can be used throughout the design and construction processes.
BIMobject is welcomed by manufacturers who want to show their products to designers during this special period. These product models can easily be integrated into the drawing and design software commonly used by construction companies, architects, and designers and tend to have a higher chance of being the final product that is purchased and used in the actual building.
4. Vico Office
Vico Office is a star product of Trimble, which is a company with rich experience in the field of construction software. It can connect your 3D models (e.g. from Revit and IFC) to your finances (5D) and your schedule (4D). The combination of the three modules within the Vico Office suite allows the planner to plan/review/implement their schedule within a seamless workflow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vico Office is truly a software that combines designers and non-designers, such as financial staff, scheduler, and so on.
5. Modelo
Modelo provides a design asset management to help professionals who work with CAD software, including Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp, more intuitively collaborate with team members to perfect their designs and interactively present them. During the COVID epidemic, Modelo provides the safest and easiest method for AEC project delivery.
Modelo can solve the following 4 delivery difficulties via the Modelo Auto 360 Tour feature.
Information security: Architects always concern that model information may be leaked or lost in model delivery. Instead of sharing a model, sharing the 360 panorama tour not only guarantees information security but also gives clients a stronger sense of immersion.
Model display degree: Architects are usually asked to show their works when the models are not completed. So they urgently need a method to restrict the client’s view of shared models. Modelo can help you do that. You can render a 360 panorama at a fixed angle of the model and share it with clients while hiding the unfinished parts.
Platform compatibility: Loading the panorama images is much faster and easier than opening the same model. All the devices can easily show your excellent work.
Operational issues: Modelo automatically connects all panorama images and the clients only need to follow the arrow to enjoy your tour. So you don’t need to worry about operational issues.
During architectural design, how to best showcase their work to clients has always been a tough issue for architects. Traditional 2D drawings and renderings can no longer meet the clients’ needs. That gives rise to the need for architects to display 3D models at the early stage of design so that the clients can better follow up and control the overall project. And for those clients who have backgrounds in the architectural industry, they would naturally put forward more requirements, even ask to have the BIM models. But now Modelo can help you solve this issue. This article will discuss the designers’ frustrations when asked to deliver a model and explain why Modelo is the fastest and easiest way to deliver your model.
Frustrations when asked to deliver a model
Information security: At present, most architects use Revit, Sketchup, and other modeling software to make models. In the process of the model, file delivery, information security becomes a crucial issue. Architects often encounter information leakage problems. What’s more, some unethical clients will take the model files as their own after obtaining them, or in other words, stole the work, which every architect hates.
Model completion issue: When referring to seeing a model, clients may usually expect the complete building model. But considering the competitive pressure and time cost of the architectural industry, it is almost impossible for architects to show the model to clients only after the model is fully completed. Therefore, architects urgently need a way to show the best side of a model to clients and hide other parts that can be improved in the future.
Platform compatibility problem: With the refinement of the architectural model and the continuous update of the modeling software, a complete architectural model can easily be hundreds of MB or even a few GB. Such a model also requires the architect and clients’ computers to have above-average hardware to process. Many architects often meet the dilemma that their models cannot be opened on clients’ computers.
Operational issues: Although clients would like to watch models, most of them may have no experience in operating professional model software. Therefore, even if clients get a complete building model, the high learning cost will cause them to fail to fully understand the models’ value and architects’ work.
Modelo is here to help you deliver
Modelo was founded to help professionals who work
with CAD software, including Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp, more intuitively
collaborate with team members to perfect their designs and interactively
present them. The powerful display function of Modelo solves the pain points of
the above-mentioned architects one by one. Show the architect’s model to clients
in the fastest and safest way. Here is what Modelo could help you.
Modelo supports all the mainstream model formats in the ACE industry, such as rvt, skp, 3dm, etc., and converts the model to a proprietary format. Clients can only view the models but cannot download them, which guarantees the model information security. You can even use the Auto 360 function to render the model into a 360 panorama tour, which not only guarantees information security but also gives clients a stronger sense of immersion when watching the model.
Aiming at the problem of model completion, Modelo creatively invented the “Client Ready” function. It can be set to show only part of the model to clients and hide the unfinished parts. You can also render a 360 panorama at a fixed angle of the model and share it with clients in one click.
Modelo is a browser-based model platform. Clients can view the model without installing any software. In addition, Modelo is currently the fastest 3D model conversion and rendering engine on the market and can increase the clarity of the model when needed. It has been tested that the loading and rendering speed of Revit models on Modelo is 10 times faster than BIM360. The Modelo rendering frame is 56-60FPS, while the BIM360 only has 4-28FPS.
The Modelo operation is extremely simple, which the model can be operated by simply dragging the mouse. Architects can also use Modelo to make multimedia PowerPoint and attach audio, video, picture and other files. Through the sharing function, Modelo reduces the clients’ learning cost to see the model significantly.
Case study: world-renowned architecture firms are really using Modelo
Woods Bagot is an internationally renowned architectural firm that originated with a history of 138 years in Australia, and its design works have spread all over the world. According to the 2017 ranking of the top 100 construction companies in the world given by the architectural design magazine “Building Design”, Woods Bagot ranked seventh in the world. Not only that, Woods Bagot has been ranked among the world’s top 10 companies for three consecutive years and firmly holds the position of Australia’s largest architectural design company.
As an architectural firm with extensive project experience, Woods Bagot has also experienced the many pain points of showing the model to clients. For example, in the Angel Hospital project, Woods Bagot encountered almost all the above-mentioned pain points: due to the project model is too large and the model is too duplicated, it is difficult for clients to open the model through professional software in their computers. Even after a successful opening, it is difficult to understand the value of the model in a short time because the client does not have the model operation skills. In addition, Woods Bagot, as an internationally renowned architectural firm, has high requirements for project information security. Therefore, Woods Bagot urgently needs an innovative model display software that can solve all pain points. After comparing and screening nearly a thousand software on the market, Modelo was recognized by Woods Bagot for its stable, outstanding, and innovative characteristics and became its main model display tool in the future. In addition, Woods Bagot is very keen to use the Modelo Auto 360 feature, and praised it as “an impressive creative invention in the field of model display.” Woods Bagot used Modelo to perfectly realize the fastest and safest way to show the model to Clients.
In the project display phase, Woods Bagot often uses the Modelo “Client Ready” feature to show the finished parts of the model to clients. This not only ensures the security of model information but also meets the client’s needs for viewing the models. In addition, the lightweight feature of Modelo allows the clients to easily open the model shared by Woods Bagot. Modelo’s simple operation method also greatly reduces the learning cost for the client. Woods Bagot also often renders the finished part of the model into a 360 panorama at a specific angle and then shares the panorama to others, which further reduces the difficulty for the client to view the model.
Modelo is the easiest way for Rhino users to create and share VR experiences of their models. By using Modelo’s new auto 360 tour feature, you can effortlessly create 360 VR tours in one click, allowing for clients and colleagues to truly understand the design vision throughout the design process.
Step 1. Import your model into Modelo
Drag your Rhino models into Modelo. All the views in your model will automatically transfer to Modelo Comments. If you need more views, just create one more comment in Modelo!
Step 2. Start Rendering
Click “Rendering 360” icon on the left of the Modelo toolbar. You jump to the panorama page. Then click the “Start Rendering” on the top right of the page. Modelo will start to render your views into HD panorama images. Later, these images will be connected in the correct order automatically.
Now your 360 VR tour is ready. Isn’t it easy? Try it now!
Revit has become an essential software in every stage of design because of all of its powerful tools. But users often have painful experience in rendering time-consuming and complex VR tours in Revit. Today we will talk about how with Modelo you can create 360 VR tours from Revit files in one click and have your clients viewing models in VR without any training or fancy hardware needed.
Step 1: Go to www.modelo.io to create a free account and to download the Revit exporter that can be found in the top right corner of your home page when logging into Modelo. If you don’t know how to do that, please watch this video.
Step 2: Open up your model in Revit, copy and paste your token from Modelo to upload it into the correct project and folder. Make sure to select the view you want to upload with. These views will convert to Modelo Comment Cards automatically. If you need more views, just click one more comment in Modelo.
Step 3: After your comment cards are ready, click “Rendering 360” icon on the left of the Modelo toolbar. You will jump to the panorama page. Then click the “Start Rendering” on the top right of the page. Modelo will start to render your views into HD panorama images. Later, these images will be connected in the correct order automatically.
Now that you have your Revit model in 360 VR tour, it’s time to share your 360 VR tour with clients and collaborators. Besides, you can turn everything into a PC compatible executable file.
Modelo is the easiest way for 3D Max users to create and share 360 VR tours of their models, allowing for clients and colleagues to truly understand the design vision throughout the design process. All you need to do are uploading your 3D Max models and creating 360 VR tours in one click.
Drag your 3D Max models into Modelo. All the views in your model will automatically transfer to Modelo Comments. If you need more views, just create one more comment in Modelo!
Modelo will transfer your 3D Max views to Modelo comment cards automatically. If you need more views, don’t worry, just simply create a new comment card.
After your comment cards are ready, click “Rendering 360” icon on the left of the Modelo toolbar. You will jump to the panorama page. Then click the “Start Rendering” on the top right of the page. Modelo will start to render your views into HD panorama images. Later, these images will be connected in the correct order automatically.
Now that you have your 3D Max model in 360 VR tour, it’s time to share your 360 VR tour with clients and collaborators. To learn more, check out how to and Share your VR tours with clients.
