Behind the Scenes of a CGI Studio
What processes take place between receiving CAD files from an architecture office and delivering photorealistic images? Below, we explore the production steps of an editorial CGI studio (*CGI Studio*).
Many people think the process is automatic: you import the model, press a button, and wait for the software to render the image. In reality, creating high-end visualization is a meticulous craft that combines architecture, photography, material science, and digital art.
"CGI production is the combination of engineering precision and fine art painting."
1. Model Detailing & Cleanup
Raw architectural models sent by design offices are built for construction, not visualization. These models are filled with unnecessary interior layers, structural lines, and overlapping geometries. Our first step is model cleanup: we delete hidden elements and remodel critical details to ensure rendering engines process surfaces without making visual errors.
2. Custom Material Scanning
We don't use ready-made library textures. To maintain our premium aesthetic, we transfer real material samples (travertine slabs, concrete plaster, oak panels) to the digital environment using high-resolution scanners. We create custom digital material files that react realistically to different lighting conditions and preserve organic imperfections.
3. Camera Direction
We approach scenes like a physical photographer. We look for camera angles in the digital model by experimenting with lenses (from wide 24mm architectural angles to detailed 85mm close-ups), adjusting depths of focus, and framing compositions according to photographic rules.
4. Computational Rendering & Color Grading
Once materials, lighting, and cameras are configured, the computer renders the frame by calculating billions of light reflections. The output goes through our color grading process, which adjusts color balance, shadow details, and highlights—similar to cinematic film post-production—to achieve an editorial style.