Thanks and you’re welcome!
Another opinion.
As far as I know I’ve only known a few people who have ever used a “game engine” for ArchVis purposes and I’m more or less sure that Epic never even consider this as a need that goes beyond UE4 being just another engine for playing games. Personally what I have found is UE4 does not place hard coded restrictions based on what’s consider best practices as to what would be considered reasonable as to things like poly counts or material resolutions so as far as archvis goes it’s really an innovation as to the need for real time rendering which has always been in demand by the CG community in general.
By removing hard coded restrictions has created the undiscovered possibilities along the same line that motion capture did not replace the animator but in fact increased the popularity of animations as well as jobs in the process.
On the surface EU4 is just another 3d application equal in possibilities as programs as Maya or 3ds Max but with a real time rendering and movement system that is not available in flagship applications designed to just get the single frame renderer. This need could be why Autodesk is introducing Sting Ray to fill the gap.
Overall though it’s to soon to state facts in favor of speculation but based on how UE4 continues to improve with every release, integrates well with most if not all applications that support the FBX pipeline, I can see a bunch of kids working out of their garage producing a full length animated feature film that would give Pixar a run for their money.
As for selling ArchVis to a company most do their work using CAD systems using mico measurements equal to real world objects as to function and form that translate directly to archvis rendering so there has never been a market for off the shelf products.
I’ve only done 1 paid contract for an industrial designer (marina design) and it paid well. For now. Your clients aren’t just architects…expand. Interior designers, urban planners, industrial designers, property developers, even manufacturers etc.
A friend at a company showed me renderings contracts he had with other artists or studios and I was impressed. Spending 20k$ on a couple images and short animation. Dunno if it’s common but there are definitely clients like that around and I’m going to find 'em With unreal I could’ve done the same, minus the rendering costs
I say if you enjoy architecture and 3d go for it but don’t limit yourself to the Architects alone as your clients.
Interesting point, thank you Frankie. The only reason I started this thread here and not on http://www.cgarchitect.com/ for example, is that I wanted to see how often ArchViz professional use UE4 because as stated below there is whole new market for “interactive rendering”. And I want to know if that is something worth studying for and how soon I need to quit my job!
$20K sure does sound good but I try to keep my hopes as low as possible
I was talking about traditional rendering tho. I’ve never used unreal for a real contract yet…but it’s because my company website/portfolio isn’t ready yet. Soon!
I HOPE there will be a good market for it but the main problem is how to present a playable demo to a client… They probably don’t have super computers, they probably don’t have oculus rifts either. At least Unreal is interesting to make video faster and cheaper than offline renderer.
I understood what you were talking about I just paraphrased it. Good luck with your portfolio!
There was a time but I think it’s in the past that guys were getting upwards of $100.00 per second for Architectural animations, but now that everyone and their mother has a bootleg copy of 3ds Max those days are gone. UE4 is not going to bring them back either because everyone that knows 3ds Max and sees a UE4 interactive will jump on the boat.
In addition it may be 20k but did it take 3 months and cost 5K in assets, software, render farms, labor etc.?
If you look at a company like Dbox they do corporate branding where cg is just one aspect of the whole. But they also have a staff of people. There are opportunities for real time presentations in a lot fields - diversity is a good thing.
ok hehe! Personally I didn’t quit my current job to learn cg. I’ve been learning by myself for about 2 years now. I have lot of free time so that might help.
Do you want to do arch-viz only for realtime interactive stuff or you are ok doing traditional rendering with vray/corona for exemple? I’m planning to offer HQ stills made with Corona Renderer and movies/rt/vr made with Unreal, preferably. But my portfolio is going to be 95% Unreal stuff actually because it sucks going back offline after you’ve touched unreal tbh.
Actually I have the contract in .pdf and the studio had 2 weeks. (my guess is that they outsourced a part of it, maybe) and it was indeed 100$/sec for 1 min movie + 1500 to 1900$ per image! You are right that it’s going to be cheaper to make movies with unreal but it may not be that much easier. Unreal isn’t that easy to learn. They can jump on the unreal boat but it does not mean they can produce quality stuff.
Also don’t hang on those websites from India/China/freelance whatever… it’s demoralizing. I’m not sure it’s interesting for anyone in America/Europe to deal with them. They’re far, there’s the language barrier, There’s the mentality. They sure have unbeatable prices but you can compensate that with other ‘‘assets’’, like good customer service or higher quality renderings or simply having clients that you can meet face to face. I hope i’m not too delusional about it but that’s what I’ve heard over the years on arch viz websites.
I live in Montreal. Let’s say an architect need renderings ASAP. Should he call a third world arch-viz studio and deal with the hassle of miscommunication. What happens if they don’t deliver? Can you do something? Not worth it just to save a couple 100$. The 20k$ renderings were apparently to sell a multi million $ project. What’s a couple 100$ in the grand scheme?
Did they send out to a render farm for the animation? That’s true it’s not easy to learn but after 2 weeks I think most talented Max users would get it.
$1,500 - $1,900 an image is not the norm, that’s for higher end jobs.
You are delusional. I worked for Gensler for 17 years they outsource to China and they’re one of the biggest Architecture firms on the planet. They had a full time team in the LA office where I worked, and they were all let go when times got tough with the economy. I also worked at Walt Disney…guess what? Outsourcing a lot of their work.
Nice for Gensler!
Well, don’t tell me I’ve spent all these hours on unreal for nothing
In all seriousness, I’m not ready to quit my job for arch-viz yet… it’s basically a side project with a friend (interactive arch-viz studio). If it works it works, if not…too bad
I was maybe planning to sell tutorials/scenes soon too.
I would not go work for anyone in arch viz tho. It’s working for myself or nothing. If I’m to sweat my *** to make a big project I want every penny in my pockets.
Are you still doing Arch-viz as a career right now RI3DVIZ?
I’m not trying to burst anyone’s bubble really just telling you the truth. I was warned over 10 years ago by a VP at Gensler to NOT get into 3D, I did it anyhow and I’m regretting it.
Yes, I do 3D and physical models but I’m looking for an exit. In the 80’s, 90’s the Architecture field was healthy and you could make good money, it’s much much harder now and gets harder every year.
I’ve checked your portfolio, good stuff. May I ask, If you hang on these forums, is it because you’ve made interactive projects for clients already or it’s just to learn/explore? Do you even get demand for interactive stuff?
It is a bit demoralizing to hear Ri3DVIZ talking about how it actually is. Sad, but true I guess.
Also not surprised to hear that Disney outsource, but Gensler, shame, shame!
Thanks.
I saw a UE4 Archviz and decided I would give it a go that’s why I’m here. But after seeing what’s involved I’m not sure UE4 is quite ready for prime time Archviz production, too much labor involved.
There’s demand for interactive but clients don’t understand it’s HARD to do! I see clients wanting entire houses, big houses for under 1K. You can’t make any money doing that.
Gensler and most big firms outsource now, I have a lot of friends in the field and they all think it’s a bad idea for a person in the US to do Archviz. There are exceptions of course. I’m not super talented like say Labtop so I find it really tough.
Have you had a chance to look at new Autodesk Stingray? And if yes, what are your thoughts?