3D Architectural Visualization Specialization

The next step is to model the wave-shaped void form, which will be based on the vertical surface and will cut the main waved facade volume, and then create the window openings.

Extrusions 2

Curtain Walls and Curtain Systems 1

In this lesson, we will see different ways of using Curtain Walls and Curtain Systems. You will learn how to work with such an important system family, set reference planes, and edit all its elements to achieve the best results.

Curtain Walls and Curtain Systems 2

After showing you how to create a glazed wall and use Curtain Walls, let's continue exploring the Curtain Systems to model the upper part of the facade.

Parametric Loadable Families 1

The most interesting technique in Revit, which is also quite complex, is setting up your own parameters for elements. We will focus on that in this lesson. You will learn to create different loadable families, parametrize them as well as manage and edit these parameters in the project.

Parametric Loadable Families 2

We will also need to apply the voids to the facade, and for this, we will create a loadable family with voids as well. Let's see how it's done!

In this lesson, we will show you how to use the Mass tool to create complex and irregular shapes. You will learn how to edit, update, and control any type of shape easily.

Mass 1

The Mass tool is so flexible that you can create any shape you like. You can use it to model in different ways, depending on the shape and geometry of your project. So, be creative and test with different masses and geometries! Just remember to always keep in mind the flexibility of the model.

Mass 2

For our last design option, we will create two different adaptive families. You will see how beneficial it can be to use it when modeling complex 3D dimensional shapes.

Adaptive Components

Final Touches and Materiality 1

In this lesson, you will learn how to improve your model's look in a fast and efficient way. We will show you how to apply materials to the elements of your model, such as wood, metal, glass, and perforation, and add some details and surroundings to the project.

Final Touches and Materiality 2

Let's continue with the rest of our facade options. We will apply materiality and work on the details of each model.

Context and Images

To create a context for the building, we will add some elements and families to the main model. We will also show you how to use the Enscape plug-in to play with materiality and lighting and export nice images!

Organization of the SketchUp model

Module 3

Natural light, reflective surfaces, precise angles—every detail matters when rendering a space. With María Alarcón as your guide, you’ll explore the fundamentals of V-Ray to bring architectural models to life. Learn how to position cameras, control lighting, and work with materials to create polished, realistic scenes that elevate your visual storytelling.

11 lessons (1h 53m)

In this lesson, you will see how you can organize your SketchUp model into groups and labels to get the most out of your Vray workflow.

Introduction to the V-Ray interface

In this lesson we are going to explore the Vray toolbars and, above all, the main window, the "Asset editor", where we can control all the render parameters.

Introduction to Lighting Tools in V-Ray Next

In this lesson, I'm going to show you how some must-have lighting tools from VRay work.

Introduction to lighting tools in V-Ray 5

Position the camera, create scenes

In this lesson we will see how to position the camera to create the viewpoint scenes that best explain the project. I leave you in the additional resources the initial file so that you can practice following the next lessons.

Light up the scene

In this lesson, we will adjust the camera settings and add lighting so that the image is visible both day and night.

Apply Vray materials to the project

In this lesson you will learn to apply the materials from the Vray library to the model we are working on in SketchUp.

Edit the image through the V-ray Next viewer

In this lesson we will edit and save the image in the "Frame Buffer" with the correction control and we will add some lens effects.

Edit the image through the V-ray 5 viewer

Work the final image in Photoshop

In this lesson we will work on the image in Photoshop, adding the render channels and editing the color and lighting corrections.

Some recommended tools

Finally, in this lesson I will teach you how to control sunlight, modifying the north or geolocating your project. I will recommend an plugin that with a single click models the environment

Module 4

What if your next building concept could speak for itself—before a word is said? With Milan Stevanović, you’ll explore how to create visually striking architectural models using 3ds Max and Photoshop. From shaping forms to final presentation, discover how to bring clarity, emotion, and impact to every visual you deliver.

31 lessons (7h 7m)

How to Understand the Brief

First, I will show you what to expect from the client's brief and how to understand it.

Preparing AutoCAD DWG for Import

Next, I will show you how to prepare the AutoCAD drawing for importing and share some tips to achieve easier workflow in 3ds Max.

Importing and Positioning Drawing in 3ds Max

This lesson will show you how to import and position the line drawing in 3ds Max.

Modeling the Basic Volume

In this lesson, I will walk you through the first steps to start your 3D model, focusing on the basic volume of the building.

Modeling Corten Panels

Here, you will learn how to use the existing basic volume geometry for modeling corten panels on the facade.

Continuing with the facade elements, this lesson will focus on cladding. Then, I will show you how to use modifiers to enhance the editability of the geometry you are working with.

Modeling Wood Cladding

Modeling and Positioning Blinds

In this lesson, I will show you how to model the steel construction of the blinds and position them together with cladding elements using the Edit Poly modifier.

Modeling Building Details

Finally, I will finish the details on the main volume of the building. Then, I will show you a quick and efficient way to model windows and doors, should you need to deal with large quantities.

Modeling Net on the Terrace

In this lesson, I will show you how to model the resting net on the terrace starting from a simple plane object, using the native tools available on 3ds Max.

Modeling the Basement Walls and Parking

This lesson will move forward with the modeling process. I will show you how to create the basement wall and parking areas around the house.

Modeling Outdoor Stairs 1

In this lesson, I will cover the modeling of the outdoor staircase. You will see how to approach architectural elements that are not strictly orthogonal and vertical.

Modeling Outdoor Stairs 2

Here, I will continue with the theme of modeling the staircase.

Modeling Terrain’s Existing State

In this lesson, we will cover the modeling of terrain. I will show you how to use isohypse lines and convert them into geometry.

Modeling Terrain According to the Project

This lesson will expand upon the theme of modeling the terrain. I will use the geometry we created in the previous lesson and adjust it to the project's specifications, taking advantage of the freeform tools on the ribbon toolbar to add the final details.

Default Scene and Importing a 3D Model

In this lesson, I will give you a brief overview of the default scene from which every render is started in our studio. I will also go through Quixel Bridge and how it works.

This lesson will explore the basic parameters of the VRay shader, including color diffusion, reflection, refraction, etc. Then, you will create simple metal and glass materials for your scene.

Basic Lighting Setup

Creating Simple Shaders

This lesson will cover importing shaders from Quixel Bridge to 3ds Max and how to use or adjust them as needed.

Importing Shaders From Quixel

In this lesson, I will build on what we've covered so far. I will show you how to add more details to your shaders, such as dirt and leaks, touching on UVW Unwrapping.

14m

Creating Complex Shaders

Texturing the Environment

To conclude this unit, I will show you how to texture the environment adding complexity to your design. You will use UVW Unwrap. I will also cover VRay displacement and how to apply it to get more realistic results.

Adding Grass With MultiScatter

In this lesson, I will show you how to use the MultiScatter plugin and apply grass geometry to the terrain. After, I'll show an alternative way of painting masks on the geometry, by switching to Vertex Paint Mode.

Adding Additional Vegetation

Let's further enhance the vegetation of our scenes! I will teach you how to add additional MultiScatter objects for plants and trees. Then, I will demonstrate adding vegetation geometry with the Object Paint tool inside 3ds Max.

Adding Details and Surrounding Elements

This lesson will focus on interior and exterior decorative elements, like furniture. I will also model different ways to light the interior. Then, you can adapt your approach depending on what you need.

15m

Final Scene Adjustments

Now, we've reached the stage of final adjustments. I will show you how to refine the geometry, lighting, materials, etc. Paying special attention to the material glass. We will also add Object IDs to the geometry in order to get selections inside the MultiMatte Render Element. Let's dive in and optimize our scenes!

In this lesson, I will discuss final tweaks. I will also show you how to add more depth to your render by using the VRay Aerial Perspective effect. Then, I will set up a final render resolution.

Final Render Setup

Final Render Review and LightMix in VRay

Finally, I will review the final render in VRay Frame Buffer. At this stage, I recommend taking advantage of LightMix. In this lesson, I will show you how powerful this tool can be.

Opening Render in Photoshop

This lesson will cover opening raw render in Photoshop and forming the basic folder structure for post-production. After that, I will import render passes and place them into the proper folder.

Working With Render Passes

In this lesson, I will go over render passes and show you how to use them inside Photoshop. I will also show you which blending modes to use and how to get masks from the MultiMatte Render Element.

15m

Adding Entourage

In this lesson, I will show you how to add 2D cutouts to your render. You will see how to incorporate your 2D cutout using adjustment layers, and painting light and shadows on it.

Nik Color Efex Pro Plugin for Photoshop

Next, I will show you how to use the Nik Color Efex Pro plugin for Photoshop. I will go over some of the filters that I use most often and demonstrate how to combine them in order to enhance your render.

Final Adjustments

To finish, I will discuss the final render adjustments. First, I will paint in additional light and fog. Then, I will use adjustment layers to adapt final color grading, levels, etc.

What Is Visual Storytelling in Architectural Visualization?

Module 5

Every building tells a story—the lighting, the layout, the texture. Sonny Holmberg shows you how to translate that narrative into high-impact visuals using 3ds Max, V-Ray, and RailClone. Dive into the full ArchViz workflow and learn how to create sharp, atmospheric compositions that make architectural ideas not just visible, but unforgettable.

20 lessons (3h 9m)

In this lesson, I will talk about where architectural visualization originates from and what I believe is important to tell stories through architectural images.

Preparing Scene File, Site and Surrounding 1

Now, I will go through a few basic tips about what to be aware of when starting up a scene file. I will identify the site location and save an image of the satellite view from Google Earth and import it to 3ds max.

Preparing Scene File, Site and Surrounding 2

With basic spline drawing techniques, I will trace the roads with the use of the Google Earth satellite image as a base. I will then form the flat site onto a basic terrain. Lastly, I'll show you how to create a simple context building with poly modelling techniques.

Adding Details with Railclone

In this lesson, I will create a detailed procedural curb with RailClone to add detail to the road.

Blocking Out Buildings on Site

I will block out the volumes making up the base for the building design with simple geometries and poly modelling techniques.

Create a Modular Facade with Railclone 1

Now I will prepare elements to be used in RailClone. You will learn some procedural modelling techniques setting up a RailClone element to build your modular facade.

Create a Modular Facade with Railclone 2

I'll show you how to apply the facade to the project's building.

Setting Up a Composition Using Physical Camera

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to use 3ds Max’s Physical Camera to set up the main composition for the image.

Lighting of a Scene with an HDRI Dome

In this lesson, you will learn to light up your scene with an HDR image in a VRay Dome Light.

Communicate Camera Drafts with White “Clay Renders” and References

You will learn the advantage of using white clay renders to have a quick communication with your client to settle the overall direction and composition for your image.

Gathering and Adding Assets

Now, you will look at gathering and adding assets to your scene.

Basic Texturing With V-Ray

In this lesson, I will create a V-Ray material with a focus on achieving good results with a simple approach to texturing.

Apply Materials to Railclone Element

Now I'll show you how to create a Multi/sub-object material to control the texturing of the RailClone Facade.

Texturing Using Quixel Megascans

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Quixel Megascans library to texture your scene.

Prepare Render Elements and Render Settings

Lastly, you will learn how to set up render elements and control render setting for your final render output.

Compile Render Elements and Get Started with the Post-production

In this lesson, you will learn how to compile, organise and use your render elements to get a good base for your post-production process.

Base Corrections of Elements in the Image

Here you will learn how to use adjustment layers to adjust and balance elements in your render.

Compose and Balance 2D People

Now I will show you how to add, compose and balance 2D cutout people into your image.

In this lesson, you will learn how to add light and mood to the image. I will boost some lights in the image and create some more depth and atmosphere.

Light and Mood

Color Grading with Adjustment Layers and Nik Color Efex

I will finalize the image with some colour grading using adjustment layers and a plugin called Nik Color Efex.

In this lesson we will see real videos and 3D animations of interior spaces and we will analyze what kind of routes and cameras are used.

Module 6

You know that feeling when you walk into a space for the first time? Antonio Martínez and Jesús Sanz from AMO 3D Visual teach you how to recreate that sensation through photorealistic 3D video. Learn to animate, render, and assemble cinematic architectural visualizations that immerse viewers in atmosphere, detail, and design.

10 lessons (2h 18m)

References

Search for cameras

We are going to look for interesting camera angles that help show our space in a dynamic and attractive way.

Animation

To give some life to the scene, let's learn to animate some elements! This will be very useful to make the scene seem more alive. Sometimes it's not enough just to move the camera.

Rendering video is a long process, so we are going to prepare a short summary of our plans for the client to approve and there are no surprises.

Storyboard

Cleaning of models

The first step will be to clean the models that you have imported from unknown libraries, most of the times the models have very poorly optimized materials and do not respond to a physically correct model. We are going to fix that.

After so much work in a scene, it is full of textures with broken links and other problems that slow down the scene and the render, we will clean those details.

Scripts + Relink

14m

Render tips and settings

Now you are going to prepare the settings for your render with a couple of tricks to speed up production.

We will configure the passes and a route so that your animation is saved correctly and can move to the assembly and post-production phase.

Rendering

Postproduction of a plane

The output format of our render is not a video but a sequence of images, the first thing you must do is learn to join them in a single file in After Effects.

We are already finishing. Once you have all the plans ready, it's time to join them in a single music video.

Mounting