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Architectural Animation Pricing Guide

THE GOAL OF THIS GUIDE IS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT AN ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION SHOULD COST

Overview:

  1. Main Cost Factors of an Animation
  2. Pricing Calculator
  3. Different Architectural Animation Price Points
  4. Different Animation Services
  5. How to pick an Architectural Animation Company

WHAT ARE THE MAIN COST FACTORS FOR ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION?

Several factors contribute to the cost of a 3D architectural animation. Understanding these cost factors can help you plan your project effectively and make informed decisions. The main cost factors for architectural animation are as follows:

  • Human Labor Costs: The effort and time required from animation artists significantly impact the cost. Factors such as the skill level of the artists, their location with respect to prevailing labor prices, and the complexity of the project influence labor costs.
  • Computer Costs: The computing resources required for rendering animations also contribute to the overall cost. This includes computing time, hardware, and software expenses.

The Complexity of the Scene

The complexity of the 3D sets (scenes) and moving models plays a crucial role in the cost of architectural animation. Creating intricate and realistic scenes or detailed human animations requires more time and effort, resulting in higher costs. On the other hand, simpler elements like animating a basic object such as an automobile may be less costly. To streamline the animation process and reduce costs, tools like Lumion, which provide pre-set moving parts within a game engine-like environment, can be employed to save artists' time and optimize production efficiency.

Moving Parts, People, and Vehicles

Architectural animations often involve various moving components, such as a 3D camera, people, and vehicles within a stationary set. The complexity of these moving parts directly affects the cost. As the complexity and intricacy of the movements increase, the cost of animation production typically rises.

Length of Animation

The duration of the animation is another significant factor influencing the cost. Longer animations, required to showcase more elements or convey a comprehensive visual narrative, generally involve more labor and rendering time. As a result, the price will increase accordingly.

Render Time

Rendering time is an essential consideration in architectural animation. Most animations have a standard frame rate of around thirty frames per second. The rendering process becomes time-consuming when each frame requires a significant amount of time to render. For instance, if each frame takes ten minutes to render, even adding a single second of animation can demand an additional five hours of rendering time. Consequently, adding a minute of animation could extend the rendering process to twelve and a half days on a single computer. Higher rendering resolutions also contribute to longer rendering times. To address these long computing times, animations are rendered on clusters of computers, but the purchase or rental of these computers adds to the overall expense.

Understanding these cost factors allows for better project planning and budgeting. It's important to collaborate with a reputable animation company that can provide detailed cost estimates based on your specific requirements and deliver high-quality results within your budgetary constraints.

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DIFFERENT ANIMATION PRICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE:

BOTTOM OF THE BARREL – CHEAPEST Architectural animation PRICING: $10-$100 PER second - BUYER BEWARE

In the architectural rendering industry, there are freelancers and small firms popping up all over the world. With that, there is a race to the bottom with regards to animation pricing as inexperienced artists look to get a piece of the pie.

Unlike still images though, an inexperienced 3D artist can get in way over their head when it comes to architectural animations.

As render times quickly become a huge factor as animation times increase and small mistakes can no longer be photoshopped away, these projects can go from a promised 2-3 week timeline to a 2-3 months rather quickly. These firms often don't have the man-power, computing power or know-how when it comes to putting together a high-quality architectural animation and they should be handled with care.

What to look out for in cheap animations:

  • Be sure to pay close attention to their animation portfolio, do they have dozens of past projects they can show you? Take their worst project and ask yourself if you would be happy with that level of quality. <meta name="uuid" content="uuid5lo1gCfnJ45T"><meta charset="utf-8">
  • Over promising during the quoting process, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
  • Does the animation feel like a roller coaster or are the camera paths slow and smooth?
  • Are the animations high quality or does it feel like it's been taken from an early version of The Sims?
  • Is the interior styling in the rendering modern and in line with your project - if not be prepared to hold the company's hand throughout the process.
  • Be weary of freelance artists (although some of the top artists may be freelancers, be mindful of the reduced resources at their disposal - animations can be very time consuming, ask them about their timelines and rendertimes)

Times when the cheapest option may be best for you:

  • Timelines aren't an issue
  • The budget for the project is very low but a 3D Animation is a key to your project
  • The overall quality of your project does not need to be high
  • You can afford to take a risk upfront to potentially save cost

MID LEVEL ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION PRICING $100-$300 per second

As previously mentioned, architectural animation is not a simple project for a rendering firm to undertake (despite recent advancements in technology). Because of that, we feel that the mid-range pricing level is where you begin to see more legitimate companies popping up. (bear in mind, a higher price does not necessarily indicate improved quality or credibility)

$100-$300 per second is a very large range, especially if you're getting around one minute of animation (which is typically what we suggest). Your goal should be to find the company who offers the best value (quality of animation vs price per second) while keeping your own maximum budget in mind.


Ask prospective companies for several animation examples if their website only shows one or two. By doing this, you are forcing the company to either admit they are inexperienced in this specific field or you are going to make them to show animations which they didn't deem good enough for their website. Assume that the quality of their worst animation is more in line with the quality you can expect to get.

Projects at this price point should have an air of professionalism to them. Rendering quality should be high, camera movements should be smooth, and the overall style should be aligned with your tastes.

Our architectural animation services are within this price range. Feel free to contact us for an exact quote.

What to look out for in Mid-Level Priced animations:

  • Keep an eye out for thin portfolios, request several animation examples
  • Be sure that the quality of the animation warrants the price
  • What are the company's google reviews like?

Times when Mid-Level pricing is right for you:

  • Majority of architectural rendering projects will fall under this price range
  • Both your budget and your quality expectations are reasonably high
  • Typically the architectural animations make the most sense when working on larger-scale projects like a townhouse development or a condo.
  • One-off, single family homes often do not have the marketing budget for this service and it may be best to get high quality still renders created rather than having a cheap architectural animation done

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TOP OF THE LINE ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION PRICING $300-$1000 per second

Typically this price range is reserved for only the top 0.1% of 3D Animation companies.

To put this pricing quality level into perspective, we consider RealSpace3D to offer very high end animation services ; however, we still do not feel we can justify this level of pricing (we fall in the mid level pricing category).

We have noticed in our industry is that pricing can be very predatory, some 3D studios take advantage of the fact that a lot of what we do is unknown to clients. As such, there can be wild swings in rendering pricing without justification. The best way to fix this issue, we believe, is educating our clients so they can make informed decisions.

This is not to say that there aren't top companies out there deserving of this high price, top experts in the 3D rendering field can create some amazing pieces of art and they have earned the right to charge what companies are willing to pay them.

As previously mentioned, a higher price doesn't always mean higher quality, but it is unlikely a top company would be charging less than what they're worth.

With this higher price point, the expectations should be significantly higher as well. In-person meetings, design consults, flawless execution and value-added services should present themselves more regularly at the upper end of the pricing. When comparing a company's examples to the mid-range pricing options, there needs to be a distinct difference to warrant the extra cost.

What to look out for in High-end priced animations:

  • Be sure to ask for several examples and references
  • At this price the quality needs to stand head and shoulders above mid level pricing
  • Request an in person meeting to get a feeling for the company

Times when High-end pricing is right for you:

  • You're a large company looking to sell a massive development
  • The difference between spending $10,000 and $50,000 is relatively inconsequential and could be worth a higher quality product

DIFFERENT TYPES OF 3D ANIMATION SERVICES

At RealSpace, we specialize in a variety of 3D animation services. Here are the main types of animation services we offer, along with a brief explanation of each:

  • Architectural Animation Services
    • Exterior House Animations (also referred to as exterior flythroughs or exterior walkthroughs): We bring your architectural designs to life by creating realistic animations that showcase the exterior of residential or commercial buildings, highlighting their key features and surroundings.
    • Interior House Animations (also referred to as interior flythroughs or interior walkthroughs): Our interior animations provide a captivating virtual tour of the interior spaces, allowing viewers to explore the layout, design, and ambiance of homes, offices, or other architectural interiors.
    • Multifamily Home Animations: We create animations that showcase multifamily housing complexes, demonstrating their overall design, landscaping, amenities, and the experience of living in such a community.
    • Highrise Animations: Our highrise animations present a detailed view of tall buildings, illustrating their grandeur, architectural elements, and the surrounding urban environment.
    • Drone + 3D Animations: Combining aerial drone footage with 3D animation, we produce captivating visual experiences that showcase architectural projects from various perspectives, capturing the essence of the location and design.
    • Commercial Space Animations: We create animations for commercial spaces such as retail stores, offices, and mixed-use developments, showcasing their interior layout, branding, and potential customer experiences.
    • Hotel and Restaurant Animations: Our animations for hotels and restaurants provide a glimpse into the inviting ambiance, facilities, and services, giving viewers a realistic preview of what to expect.
  • Product Animations
    • Product Explanation Videos: We create animated videos that showcase the features, functionality, and benefits of products, helping businesses effectively communicate their value proposition to customers.
    • Product Turntable Animations: Our turntable animations offer a 360-degree view of products, allowing customers to see the product from all angles and appreciate its design and details.
    • Furniture Demonstration Animations: We produce animations that demonstrate how furniture pieces can be assembled, adjusted, or transformed, helping customers visualize their usage and versatility.
  • Miscellaneous Animations
    • P ark Planning Animations: We create animations that visualize park designs, including landscape elements, pathways, recreational areas, and amenities, helping stakeholders envision the final outcome.
    • Safety Videos: Our safety animations illustrate important safety procedures, protocols, or emergency responses, providing an engaging and informative way to educate employees or the general public.
  • Virtual Reality Services

With our comprehensive range of 3D animation services, we aim to bring your ideas to life and provide immersive visual experiences that captivate your audience, promote understanding, and showcase the unique features of your projects or products.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN ARCHITECTURAL FLYTHROUGH COMPANY

When selecting an architectural flythrough company, it is crucial to conduct thorough research to ensure you make the right choice. Here are some essential factors to consider:

Track Record and Portfolio

Examine the company's track record and assess the quality of their previous work. Look for a company that has a strong portfolio with diverse examples of architectural flythroughs. A reputable company will proudly showcase their projects, demonstrating their expertise and attention to detail. RealSpace has a proven track record and an extensive portfolio of successful architectural flythroughs that we can share with you.

Affordability versus Quality

While it may be tempting to opt for a cheap solution, it is crucial to strike a balance between affordability and quality. Choosing an outsourcing company overseas might initially seem cost-effective, but it often leads to communication challenges and subpar results. RealSpace offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality. We believe in delivering exceptional value for your investment.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are vital for a successful architectural flythrough project. Ensure that the company you choose has a streamlined communication process and is responsive to your inquiries and feedback. RealSpace prioritizes clear and open communication, ensuring that we understand your vision and can provide regular updates on the project's progress.

Technical Expertise

Verify the company's technical capabilities and expertise in architectural flythroughs. They should possess a deep understanding of 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and other relevant technologies. RealSpace has a team of skilled professionals who are proficient in the latest software and tools required to create stunning architectural flythroughs.

Client Reviews and Testimonials

Read client reviews and testimonials to gain insights into the experiences of previous clients. RealSpace takes pride in our positive client feedback and the long-standing relationships we have built. We encourage you to explore our testimonials to hear directly from our satisfied clients.

By considering these factors and partnering with a reputable company like RealSpace, you can make an informed decision and ensure a successful architectural flythrough project that exceeds your expectations.

LEARN ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ARCHITECTURAL ANIMATION AND 3D FLYTHROUGHS AS A CONSUMER

This guide will teach you the ins and outs of architectural animation and 3d flythroughs

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