Architects and Architectural Visualization Experts from Over 70 Countries Respond to Questions about Virtual Reality, Cloud Rendering and Other Industry Changes
2018 will be a big year for VR and cloud rendering, according to a new report released by Chaos Group today. Featuring insights from 5,769 industry professionals, this free report looks at how technology trends like VR, cloud rendering and an increased need for 3D visuals are affecting architects and visualization teams in 2017, with new data on potential changes in the year to come.
Changes & Challenges
The most noticeable change in the last few years, for employees working at companies of all sizes, is the increased reliance on recently introduced technologies like BIM and VR. 70% confirmed this feeling, overtaking sustainable design – another hot topic – by nearly 2:1.
While tight deadlines and limited budgets are always top concerns, 43% of participants noted that the increased demand for high-end and photorealistic content is a major challenge. This corresponds with other responses that suggest that 85% felt that 3D rendered imagery was either “very important” or “critical” to winning projects.
Virtual Reality
Over two-thirds of architecture and architectural visualization professionals plan to use VR in 2018. 28% already are, with another 28% currently experimenting. This lends credence to the idea that while 3D tools have been mainstream for architects and visualization artists for some time, the introduction of virtual reality offers new ways for them experience and communicate unbuilt designs, leading to increased use and interest.
Of the adopters, 80% are using it on multiple projects, suggesting that VR is beginning to play a more significant role in architectural design and visualization workflows. Large architecture firms (classified as companies with over 100 architects) have embraced VR at a much higher rate than smaller firms and freelancers. 62% of large firms are currently using VR, and more than half of those have already used VR on five or more projects.
In terms of toolsets, V-Ray is the most used software for VR creation in architecture and architectural visualization, followed by the Unreal and Unity game engines.