Presenting designs to clients is an art form that every architect needs to master. Sure, it requires strong communication and storytelling skills. But the visual aspect is always the most crucial one. That’s why the go-to way of boosting a presentation’s chance of success is to use photorealistic 3D visualization. And to get the most out of it, you should know exactly what types of architectural renderings are there, which projects they suit, and what benefits they provide. Also, it’s best to find out about various visual means of expression in CGI that can turn your project presentation into a true masterpiece. So, if you’re interested to know about all of that, you’re in the right place!
In this article, the team of our architectural visualization company explained the advantages of the main CGI types and gathered the most diverse examples of them. Read on and get inspired to make your next concept pitch unforgettable!
An Overview of Architectural Rendering
Architectural rendering takes ideas off the page and brings them to life. Instead of squinting at floor plans and trying to guess what a space might look like, you get a real, detailed glimpse of the finished project before anyone lays a single brick. You see the materials, the lighting, and the atmosphere. Suddenly, it’s all there in front of you. That makes it so much easier for architects, developers, and clients to understand each other, catch problems early, and feel sure about their choices long before construction starts.
Here’s what architectural rendering actually does:
- It turns technical drawings into visuals that just make sense.
- It shows how materials, colors, and finishes work together in the real world.
- It lets you play with lighting, layout, and proportions before building anything.
- It helps everyone involved in the project see the vision clearly.
Who really gets the most out of it? Architects explaining their ideas. Developers market buildings that don’t exist yet. Real estate teams are actively marketing their future projects. Clients seek precise information rather than relying on conjecture.
In the end, architectural rendering bridges that gap between imagination and reality. It helps everyone make smarter, more confident choices right from the beginning.
Exterior Architectural Renderings
There are 2 main types of CGI for architecture — exterior and interior. We’ll start with the former. Its purpose is to demonstrate the entire exterior design of a building or a complex. For that, there are several kinds of views:
- up shot;
- down shot;
- full shot;
- medium shot;
- close shot;
- extreme close shot;
- over-the-shoulder shot
- (character’s) point-of-view;
- aerial shot.
Realistic exterior rendering has 2 main subtypes — residential and non-residential. Let’s take a look at them.
#1. Residential Exterior CGI
Residential 3D renderings are used to showcase all types of houses or apartment buildings. From suburban residences to urban high-rises to chic vacation retreats, this kind of architectural visualization can help you show any project in the best light. You can have your concept depicted in a photorealistic way from all the winning angles.
Moreover, it’s possible to create a unique, immersive mood in a CG image. Just look at our examples above and you’ll immediately see how photorealistic settings with various lighting, weather, and time of the day complement the architecture in different ways. A perfectly chosen environment tells a story and allows the viewers to connect with your design on an emotional level. Which can help sway their decision in your favor.
#2. Non-Residential Exterior CGI
Next on our list of types of architectural renderings, we have non-residential exterior visualization. It helps to present buildings intended for diverse purposes:
- business;
- industrial;
- institutional;
- religious.
With 3D exterior design rendering services, you can show non-residential structures of any size and shape in a real-life context. This allows you to demonstrate not just the building itself but also the people who will use it. For instance, a 3D render can depict employees drinking coffee outside their office building on a break. Such solutions can liven up your presentation and give it a story. Plus, you’re free to choose what sort of setting you want in your visuals. You can pick anything from a sunny day to a dramatic nighttime storm to convey your idea.
Ensure your exterior design project leaves a lasting impression and takes your clients’ breath away with stunning visuals.
Interior Architectural Renderings
When it comes to interior design presentations, the most important things to communicate to the viewers are the room layout and atmosphere. And you can do that easily with beautiful architectural 3D renderings. Similar to exterior CGI, interior visuals have 2 subtypes — residential and non-residential. Let’s take a look at the former first.
#1. Residential Interior 3D Visualization
Of all the types of architectural renderings, this one relies most on emotion. The reason is that it shows viewers their future home from the inside. Interior visualization services offer a wide array of tools to convey the atmosphere of a house or apartment. From different lighting options to small décor and contextual elements, you can choose what you need to convey your vision. Interior 3D renderings also provide a clear representation of the functionality of every room’s layout. For that, you can select camera angles that show all the smart design solutions in detail.
#2. Non-Residential Interior 3D Visualization
Architectural renderings of commercial and other non-residential purpose interiors are all about showing the experience people will have in those places. This type of CGI helps you demonstrate a space in the most dazzling way. You can go with all kinds of atmospheric lighting and angles that really do your concept justice. Plus, with interior CGI, the ambiance of your design can be visualized precisely. For instance, an open space office will look airy and a small cafe — cozy, just the way you intended.
Digital Architectural Tours
Digital architectural tours let you step inside a space without ever leaving your chair. You’re not stuck flipping through flat images — you can move from room to room, look around, and really get a sense of how everything connects. This is a game-changer for unbuilt properties. People don’t have to imagine what a space could feel like; they get to experience the flow, scale, and atmosphere for themselves.
Developers and real estate teams love these tours because they speed up decisions and grab attention, especially from buyers who can’t visit in person. A good 3D virtual tour isn’t just a cool trick but a real sales tool and a better way to communicate your vision.
360° Computer-Generated Panoramas
360° computer-generated panoramas give you a different kind of experience. You’re placed in one spot within a building, but you’re free to turn your view any way you want. It’s perfect for showing off a key room, a dramatic view, or a signature design detail without overwhelming people with too many options.
These panoramas are easy to use, quick to load, and work just about anywhere — on websites, in presentations, or even on social media. Sometimes you don’t need a whole tour; you just want to make a strong impression fast.
3D Animation
3D animation elevates the experience. Instead of a single snapshot, animations walk you through a space, showing how everything fits together over time. You get the story behind the design—how the light changes, how rooms connect, and what the building feels like as you move through it.
This is the go-to format for big developments, mixed-use projects, and designs that need a bit more explanation. High-end animations show up in investor pitches, exhibitions, and marketing campaigns where you really need to make an impact.
Why Use Architectural Visualizations?
Architectural visualizations do a lot more than just look appealing. They turn complex plans into something everyone can understand. When you can see the design clearly, it’s easier to get buy-in from clients, speed up approvals, and avoid expensive mistakes during construction.
Here’s what you really get:
- A clear way to show off your ideas
- Faster sign-off from clients and officials
- Fewer costly surprises on site
- Stronger marketing for buildings that don’t exist yet
- More confidence from buyers and investors
When everyone’s looking at the same picture, the whole project runs smoother.
How Architectural Renderings Come Together
Making an architectural rendering isn’t just about fancy software. It starts with gathering everything, including drawings, CAD files, mood boards, and specs. Artists then build a detailed 3D model that nails the proportions and all those little details.
Once the models are ready, they add materials, tweak the lighting, and set the mood. There’s a round of test renders and edits and a final polish in post-production to make sure the images look excellent and hit the marketing brief. Each step builds on the last, so the final visuals are both accurate and compelling.
How to Pick the Right Rendering Style
Choosing the right visualization comes down to what you’re trying to achieve. Need a quick, eye-catching image? Go with a still. Want people to explore on their own? Virtual tours and panoramas are the way to go. Telling a bigger story or selling a complex vision? Animation wins.
Think about your audience (buyers, investors, officials), where you’ll show the images (website, social, presentations), how complicated the project is, and your timeline and budget. Most of the time, mixing a few different formats works best to get your message across.
Take your design presentation to a new level with interior rendering
Now you know how the 4 types of architectural renderings can help you nail your concept presentations. Such CG images allow you to accurately show the beauty and functionality of your designs. Also, now you’ve seen how many different options of visual expression there are within these types. By carefully choosing the lighting, weather, time of the day, angles, and contextual elements for the imagery, you can fill it with an atmosphere and make your pitch irresistible.
Looking for professional CGI services? Contact us at ArchiCGI and get all the types of quality 3D visuals you need within the shortest time possible!
Ana Wayne
Content Writer, Copywriter
Ana is a content writer for ArchiCGI. She has a passion for design and architecture - and for talking about it. Outside of work, she is a fan of sci-fi movies and a street food connoisseur.
What information is needed to start an architectural rendering project?
Typically, floor plans, elevations, CAD files, reference images, and material preferences are enough to begin. The more detailed the input, the more accurate the result.
How long does it take to create architectural renderings?
Timelines vary depending on complexity, but most still renderings take from several days to a few weeks. Animations and virtual tours usually require more time.
Can architectural renderings be used before permits are approved?
Yes. In fact, visualizations are often used to support planning applications, investor pitches, and early-stage approvals.
Are architectural renderings only for marketing?
No. They’re also widely used for design validation, internal reviews, and identifying potential issues before construction starts.
