In this tutorial, you'll learn how to combine AI rendering with Archicad for fast and efficient project design. We’ll guide you through designing in Archicad, preparing the model for AI rendering, using Visoid for the render, and adding the finishing touches in Photoshop. This method can help transform your ideas into presentable materials quickly, boosting both the quality and speed of your projects.
AI rendering with Archicad is ideal for any mid-term presentation, material testing or even final presentations. Archicad’s BIM modelling capabilities, paired with AI's rapid visualization capabilities, dramatically accelerates your workflow, allowing you to go from a BIM model to stunning visuals in a fraction of the usual time. Additionally, AI rendering enhances the level of detail and realism, elevating the quality of your presentations.
The process consists of four easy steps:
Design and model your project in Archicad
Prepare your model for AI rendering
Render your model
Add finishing touches in Photoshop
For this tutorial, we’re using Visoid, an AI-powered rendering application built specifically for architects. With Visoid, you can create high-quality visualizations up to 10 times faster than traditional methods. Plus, it’s designed to work with various input types, making it versatile enough for every stage of the design process.
Want to give it a try? You can get a free trial account here.
Archicad is a powerful BIM tool for any architectural project, all phases. You don't need to worry about detailing every aspect tho; AI rendering works best when the focus is on the essential elements. For this tutorial, we’re using a Norwegian family house, located on a hill. A medium-detailed model of the building is a good start with the terrain modelled with the Mesh tool. As a final touch, populating the scene with some basic Library elements such as trees is enough for high-quality results with AI.
AI rendering is more flexible than traditional rendering, but it's not magic—it needs high-quality input. Visoid can add details and enhance textures and lighting, but with too little information, the outcome won't match your vision.
Think of Visoid as a very smart coloring book, where you provide information about shapes and textures to the AI "artist" doing the coloring.
As a rule of thumb: everything you don’t define is up to the AI engine to make up, and everything which you don’t wish to render should be hidden.
Set the camera angle to capture the perfect shot. Choose a camera angle similar to architectural photography: human eye level camera, straight vertical lines. Make the image emotional, you don’t need to show everything. Leave the big, overview illustrations for diagrams!
Define key elements like trees or how the building connects with the ground. Without some sort of surrounding, the engine can’t see how to place the building.
Apply basic textures to control material placement. You don’t need the highest quality, but it should be clear for the model.
Hide shadows and extra lines for a clean render. You don’t want to render those bounding boxes, contour lines or window opening triangles.
Finally, export the viewport at a high resolution. A crisp input image can make a noticeable difference in the final quality of your rendering.
When using Archicad, you also have the option to simplify your workflow by using the Visoid Add-On. It allows you to quickly sync your Archicad views to Visoid. You download the Add-On from here.
Now, it's time to open Visoid and upload your image. You can quickly register for free here if you don't have an account.
There are two key aspects to focus on during rendering: Settings and Prompts.
Choose the “Detailed” or “Textured” input detail level.
Describe key elements of the image in the prompt field to guide the AI.
Use the “Iterate” and “Explore” render modes to make minor adjustments and changes.
Prompting tip: Describe your design, the composition and the surroundings to get the best result. Use simple words, no need for complex sentences!
photo of a modern scandinavian house, (white cladding)++, (wood window frames)++, black chimney, pine trees, forest, Norway, summer
When you are done, Export your render in up to 4k resolution.
After rendering, fine-tune the image in Photoshop. Adjusting colors, brightness, and contrast can elevate the quality even further. If you’re creating multiple renders from different angles, use Photoshop to ensure consistent color and lighting across all images.
