Blender for architecture (Workshop)

The use of Blender in fields such as architecture to view and develop design ideas is a powerful way of improving any workflow. With the help of a versatile tool like Blender, anyone can quickly validate a design with a 3D visualization of models and using accurate models and light simulation.

If you already have a design ready, you can use Blender to produce marketing materials about the project and sell the idea to anyone. Using renderings from Cycles or Eevee, you can create beautiful images to help you market architectural designs.

Using BIM data in Blender

Blender for architects

Architects can use Blender to model their buildings from scratch or import 3D models from other programs, such as SketchUp or AutoCAD. Blender's comprehensive modeling tools and features allow architects to create highly detailed and realistic models of buildings that look and feel like their real-world counterparts.

Modeling projects using DWG files

In this workshop, we will explore how to create 3D visualizations of architectural models. We will learn how to set up the scene, lighting, and camera angles to create realistic images used for both marketing and construction purposes.

By the end of this workshop, participants will have a strong sense of how to create 3D visualizations of architectural models using Blender.

Here is a list of what you will learn:

• Blender UI basics
• 3D Navigation and shortcuts
• Working with precision modeling (Metric and Imperial)
• Saving projects in Blender
• Modeling for architecture
• Creating accurate 3D models based on numeric inputs
• Produce architectural elements such as walls, doors, windows, floors, stairs, and more
• Add materials and textures to models
• Use Add-ons to improve your work
• Import references for modeling (SketchUp, AutoCAD, BIM, and images)
• Use the Asset Browser
• Manage furniture models
• Work with the Blender camera for architecture
• Render projects with Cycles and Eevee
• Use multiple types of lights for architecture

Workshop contents

The workshop has a total of 70+ videos that you can either download or stream. Here is a list of all the available videos and lessons.

Lesson 01

1. Downloading Blender (03:36)
2. The Blender UI (06:50)
3. 3D Navigation and shortcuts (08:56)
4. Object selection and shortcuts (04:39)
5. Active Editor and Collections (04:32)
6. Shading and work modes (04:17)
7. Object creation and the 3D Cursor (05:01)
8. Changing the unit system for architecture (03:51)
9. Changing the default options (03:08)
10. Transformations and precision (10:52)
11. Snap during transform (04:44)
12. Saving your projects (01:37)

Lesson 02

1. Modeling walls (12:07)
2. Snap tools for wall modeling (08:53)
3. Arc shaped walls (08:30)
4. Working with mirrored copies (06:52)
5. Creating copies with the Array (03:19)
6. Using angled walls (09:22)

Lesson 03

1. Using images as a reference for modeling (13:20)
2. Adjusting the scale of image references (08:27)
3. Importing DWG files to Blender (11:50)
4. How to cleanup a drawing (11:04)
5. Importing SketchUp files to Blender - Copy (07:15)
6. Importing SketchUp files to Blender (07:15)
7. Importing BIM files to Blender (06:06)

Lesson 04

1. Introducing Bezier Curves for modeling (06:05)
2. Using curves to create plaster molding (10:57)
3. Creating curves from existing walls (03:19)
4. Curtain walls with modifiers (08:34)

Lesson 05

1. Enabling the Archimesh Addon (03:34)
2. Creating rooms and walls (04:45)
3. Working with doors (06:46)
4. Creating windows (06:49)
5. Dimension lines and object names (02:25)
6. Drawing walls and rooms with Grease Pencil (06:39)

Lesson 06

1. Mesh modeling for architecture - TinyCAD (12:49)
2. Mesh modeling for architecture - CAD Transform (10:35)
3. Mesh modeling for architecture - Mesh Edit (04:28)
4. Mesh modeling for architecture - BagaPie (14:23)
5. Mesh modeling for architecture - JARCH (07:39)

Lesson 07

1. Importing furniture models to Blender (07:25)
2. Using the Link option for furniture (10:45)
3. Editing linked models (02:20)
4. Appending models to a project (03:14)
5. The Asset Browser for furniture models (09:51)

Lesson 08

1. Materials for architecture (01:18)
2. Creating the base model for materials (12:08)
3. Material settings and options (10:37)
4. Using image textures (08:46)
5. Creating glossy surfaces and mirrors (05:09)
6. Controlling the scale and tiling effect (04:37)
7. PBR materials for architecture (06:54)
8. How to apply a PBR material (07:43)
9. Using an Ambient Occlusion map (05:52)
10. Importing materials from external files (04:17)
11. Using the ArchGlass custom shader (05:43)

Lesson 09

1. Using displacement textures for modeling (03:58)
2. Modeling the roof (02:36)
3. Creating the displacement material for roofs (10:49)
4. Making a mirrored version of the roof (03:27)
5. Finishing the roof model with textures (04:55)

Lesson 10

1. Using cameras for architecture (05:36)
2. Focal length settings for architecture (04:49)
3. Saving views and managing multiple cameras (05:22)
4. Orthographic views and isometric cameras (06:54)

Lesson 11

1. Cycles for rendering architecture (12:55)
2. Environment lights for architecture (11:00)
3. Using the Denoise (04:21)
4. Lights for architecture (12:38)
5. Photometric lights with IES profiles (06:14)
6. Color management and rendering (06:47)

Lesson 12

1. Differences between Eevee and Cycles (03:17)
2. Managing lights for real-time render (07:06)
3. Working with indirect lights (08:56)
4. Improving shadows with Area Lights (03:10)
5. Render settings for Eevee (03:44)