I am putting a portfolio together of work I've done to be sent to an Architectural Viz. firm and this is the latest rendering I have for my portfolio. It's to be the first piece they see (Best?). Problem is it just doesn't look right. I can't tell if it's a texture, lighting, or general composition issue. I've looked at the damn thing so long I can't see the trees through the forest and hoping something simple will help it out. Please critique. I have an interview on Tue. a.m. and would like to fix before monday so I can print something better.
P.S. this is a model of some residential town homes that my father designed and I drafted up the C.D.'s for. The project is in Downtown Boulder, CO. The residences (shown) are placed on a concrete post tension slab which covers the ground level parking below it. The commercial portion of the project is to the left of the frame and has been modeled but we are trying to pre-sale these units first as non of this project is built yet.
Yes it is very good technically, but it seems to have that "engineering" kind of appearance. I think the problem is in your lighting. I suggest, making some very simple models of the buildings. Boxes are sufficent. Then try to creat a good image with just lighting. Don't assume that light can only come from the sun. Although this may be the original source, diffuse lighting radiating off buldings etc, can have a very dramtic effect.
You might consider putting a texture of the sky in the background. It is simple and probably better than just solid colored background. Although, this isn't essential if you can get the lighting on the rest of the model improved.
Urp, Thanks for the input. I hate that about my self I'm very left brained. Anywho I stepped away for a while and took another shot at the lighting as you suggested. I've included the file below; click on the revised blacksmith to view the changes. Not an excuse for this rendering but the renderer in MAX (I'm using because of money limits...) SUCKS! There are no area lights and the renderer just doesn't ever look RITE.
But this is what I'm stuck with for now. I also noted your suggestion of a backgrnd which I would have used But it's been raining for 5 days straight in Boulder and I couldn't go shoot any good backdrops. The sample skies that come with MAX are too small for high-res output.
Thanks for the comments and obviously others would be welcome. I just finished Jeremy Birn's Digital Lighting and Rendering. Wow, this is a killer book. A lot to take in and apply in a short amount of time. I don't get much out of most text's as of late but this is a must read for all the Artist's here.
Looks liike it is coming along quite well. I wouldn't sweat what renderer you have. Certainly having radiosity etc, might give some other directions to try, but in the end, it is the driver that makes a good image.
Unless, you have to make this a high noon image, why don't you try something with more light sources. As you create new light sources turn the others off so you have a good idea what light is effecting what portion of the image. Use fall off, etc. to make lights not illuminate everything in the scene. Try this for a while and see if it sparks a direction you might want to go.
LIghting is one of the more diffucult areas to perfect in an image, so don't feel it should come easy, because it seldom does. However, once you develope a good style you can keep using it for future work.