Firstly, what is a CGI and Photomontage render?
- A photomontage is a 3D render overlayed onto a photograph, usually done in Photoshop or Affinity Photo2.
- It is used in Aerial and Superman-style marketing images and is necessary for eye-level Council submissions and stakeholder engagement.
- In contrast, a CGI Render is created entirely inside a 3D program such as 3DS Max, rendered and touched up in Photoshop or Affinity Photo2.
CGI Pros:
Increased Control;
- Adjustable weather conditions, including season and mood
- Lighting control, such as time of day and interior lighting balance
- Control of the camera, including the position, height and distance from the USP or interest points
- Control of the image size
- Minimal or No Photographic cost
- Faster to create (8 times out of 10)
CGI Cons:
- The Context and the surroundings can look unrealistic if budgets don't allow for careful recreation.
Photomontage Render Pros:
- A Photomontage can include as much or as little of the surrounding buildings and context; however, this can also be a con in some circumstances where the context, as mentioned above, is uninspiring.
Photomontage Render Cons:
- Existing site conditions can prohibit clear site lines
- Additional photography and management costs
- Extra time is required to organise and make the existing conditions look good.
- Potentially unpredictable or unreliable weather conditions
- The physical camera dictates the size of the render
Hope this helps contribute to the success of your next project.