Low Detail 3D Models and Animation as a Planning Tool

by Steven Greco on 10/19/09 at 8:00 am

Here’s a great example of how one of our clients used simple and affordable low detail 3D modeling and animation as a planning tool to demonstrate a large mixed use redevelopment project early in the planning stages to the city planning commission in Vancouver, WA.

The goal of the animation was to communicate the intended land use including retail, office, residential & light rail, along the Columbia River waterfront with a focus on the some of the proposed parks, landscape and open spaces.

The client’s architect (Twist-Architecture) provided Focus 360 with a low detail 3D Sketch-up model of the overall site and buildings.  Focus 360 added details to the model including cars, people, landscape and applied color and textures that resembled a physical scale mode (wood blocks, toy cars and people). We then created a series of animated camera paths (videos) that take the viewer on a two minute “fly-thru” experience around and through the entire project.

The presentation and project was favorably received by the City Planning Commission and the project is now moving smoothly through the entitlement process.