Category: Modelo (Product)

Modelo – The fastest and easiest way to deliver your model to the client without your creation being stolen

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.

Rhino to 360 VR Tour in One Click

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 to 360 VR Tour in One Click

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.

Steps to convert Revit files to VR:

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.

3D Max to 360 VR Tour in One Click

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.

SketchUp to 360 VR Tour in One Click

Creating your 360 VR tour from your SketchUp models has never been easier. By using Modelo’s new auto 360 tour feature, you can effortlessly create 360 VR tour in one click. It is faster and easier than anything available on the market by following these simple steps:

Step 1. Import your model into Modelo

Drag your SketchUp 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! 

Modelo Functionality Update before August

Modelo is constantly bringing you new features and updates. We just released new capabilities including automatically match PBR Material Properties in KooRender and create 360 Panorama Tours with One-Click. These enhancements provide better model rendering effects and user experience.

Automatically Match PBR Material Properties in KooRender 

Modelo KooRender provides a better rendering effect now. We add refraction and reflection properties to materials. You can also adjust the material reflection intensity to make your models more realistic. The following is the updated material list:

  • Add refraction properties and reflection properties to the glass material.
  • Add refraction properties to water surface materials
  • Add reflection and highlight properties to metal materials

Create 360 Panorama Tours with One-Click in Modelo

You are able to render panorama images directly from the 3d comment cards now! After importing your models, just click “start rendering” and Modelo will automatically generate completed 360 panorama tours for you.

Comment Card Interface Optimization

To correspond to the function update, we also optimize the Comment Cards interface. The comment icon becomes smaller and turns to grey. The functions have also been adjusted and listed below：

  • Reply button canceled
  • Three-point button canceled
  • Query 360 panorama rendering service canceled
  • Delete function moved to the outside 
  • The change style setting button moves to the upper right corner
  • Added the function of rendering a single 360 panorama image

Bugs

  • Fix presentation and attachment issues in KooRender
  • Fix shadow drifting issues during movement
  • Fix UI display issues in Daylight&Address search box

Modelo Functionality Update in July

Modelo is constantly bringing you new features and updates. We just released new capabilities suggested by our users. These enhancements provide better model embedding and rendering effects.

Hide tools in the embedded model. 
Sometimes, we don’t want customers to explore our embedded models on the websites too much. Now, when you embed the models,  there is a new “Hide Tools” option, which can help you protect your model information. 

KooRender Updates
We’ve made improvements to the KooRender default lighting parameters and shadows to make your models look even better in KooRender mode!

Bugs
We also fix the following bugs to provide you better user experience.
Fix share&embed link copy issue 

  • Fix share&embed link copy issue 
  • Fix panorama image issue for re-upload
  • Fix panorama thumbnail issue for floor plan

Sign up free below at Modelo to get more information.

Free Rendering -Modelo KooRender is coming

Do you know that you can get free rendering without any software now? In 2020, Modelo will release a lot of new features. Modelo’s high-fidelity mode – KooRender, is the debut of a series of features that have been developed by Modelo for more than a year. It’s also the beginning of Modelo 2.0.

Architects and designers usually have high requirements for the 3D model rendering quality and rendering speed. There are several rendering software in ACE industry, such as Lumion, Vray, and Enscape. Some software such as Vray focuses on rendering quality and others such as Lumion focuses on rendering speed. While Enscape is one of the successful software that can balance these two factors. Thus, Enscape also represents the rendering celling currently.

However, everything will change because KooRender is coming. Koorender is a high-fidelity rendering mode of Modelo DAM. Right now, KooRender reaches an equal visualization level of Enscape. But we will surpass Enscape’s rendering level in the near future.

Besides, KooRender has the highest rendering speed in the world now. After you finish setting up proper parameters, you can change to the KooRender mode and switch between these two modes in one click.

Last but not least, unlike other rendering software, KooRender focuses on lightweight and is browser-based. It means you don’t need to spend time and effort to install redundant kinds of software on your local computers. Everything can be finished on the websites.

Adding voice over to your design in 3D

Modelo’s 3D comment feature has been one of the most popular functions since its inception.

People use it to create 3D presentations, drop 3D annotations, embed 3D experience on their homepage and curate spatial fly-through. It links with rendering settings, section cut, walk-through, and assets. In a way, you could say the 3D comment feature is at the center of all.

Today, we are very excited to announce a few updates to it. With the new 3D comment feature release, you could do the following things:

1.You could use an image attachment as a cover page for your presentation.

2.You could add promotional videos and play it with just a touch of the “SPACE” button.

3.Panorama is also supported as an attachment.

4.Last but not the least, you could add phone recorded voice-over to the 3D comment and now your clients could experience your design in 3D and listen to your explanations about the space at the same time.

Watch the entire video of this update here:

Simplify your 360 tour with a mini floor plan

Easy to display, high efficiency and deep interaction. These characteristics determine that 360 tours are more and more popular. This immersive approach can make customers, contractors and other stakeholders more involved in the project.

Some customers complained that because of the size of their projects, locating specific rooms in 360 tours is a difficult task. Now our Modelo team has simplified your 360 tour with mini floor plans.

Step 1: Uploading your Mini Floor Plan

First, prepare your mini floor plan. Please make sure that each panoramic image can be located in your floor plan. In the upload tab, in addition to the previous 360 tour option, we also added another floor plan option. After successfully uploading the floor plan image, you will see a thumbnail below the panoramic photo.

Step 2: Add Hotspots on your Floor Plan

Once your floor plan is ready, you can start creating hotspots. These hotspots will become the anchor points for each part in your 360 tour. Just click “Add Hotspot” in the upper right corner and place the hotspot on the floor plan. You will also notice that all panoramic photos will appear in the bottom bar, which will help you assign hotspots to specific locations. Then, you need to select the correct picture and select the input view.

Step 3: Edit or Delete Hotspots.

If you are not satisfied with the hotspots, you can try to edit or delete them. Click the hotspot on your floor plan. “Edit Location” helps you relocate hotspots. If the hotspot is no longer useful, just click it and select the “Delete” option.

To view the whole tutorial video, click here. Modelo makes it easy for you to explore your 360 tour during design reviews and presentations. Get started on yours today!