Bobby Parker 1/11/21 Bobby Parker 1/11/21

Brick 2.0 (OmniTile)

A while ago I posted a video on how I do my bricks in 3DS MAX. I no longer use the plugin I showed for part of the process, so as promised, here is an update, using OmniTile.

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Bobby Parker 1/7/21 Bobby Parker 1/7/21

Glass Tint in Post-Production

In post-production, I work on the overall image first. I want to create the feeling, and that is done with color-grading and tone-mapping. Once that is done, I dial into specific areas of my image, like in this case, the glass. If I warm the whole picture, my glass gets warm, but I want to retain that blue tint you get from the sky on a sunny Summer's day.

In this quick tip, I show you how I add some blue back into my glass.

The name of the game is subtle. Repeat that 10 times, no really, repeat it over and over. Almost no effect I apply is 100%, and if I think it looks good, I usually drop it down more.

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Bobby Parker 1/5/21 Bobby Parker 1/5/21

Bayview House Rendering

The first completed project of 2021!

Two years ago, the family and I took a trip to Houston, Texas. Why Houston? The kids never flew; I wanted the trip to be memorable, so I looked for the least expensive flight, and Houston won. Man, was it hot! We drove to the golf, which is the closest the kids have gotten to an ocean, and we took the scenic route back to Houston. On our way back, we saw a ton of these houses on stilts.

I request CAD files, but sometimes I get Revit or Sketchup files. In the case of the Bayview House Rendering, it was a Revit file. Sometimes clients want a discount if they provide the model and the answer is usually no. Flipped normals, double geometry are two of the many issues with these 3d models. They are not necessarily modeled poorly; they are just not modeled for my needs, and to fix things, sometimes take longer than modeling from scratch. The industry joke is, no discount if you provide a 3D Model, I will charge you more.

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Bobby Parker 12/31/20 Bobby Parker 12/31/20

Plombon House Rendering

The final project of 2020! I have a 1/2 dozen to be completed, but this is the last completed rendering of 2020.

Everything out of this architect’s office is fantastic. They are a local design/build firm, and they own their style. Like anything, if you are laser-focused on doing one thing really well, you can become a master. If you are looking for a lake cabin or something with the up north feel, let me know, and I’ll hook you up.

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Bobby Parker 12/29/20 Bobby Parker 12/29/20

3004 Belmont Blvd Rendering

On my blog, I share a lot about renderings (duh!)—both the artistic side and the business site. I have written about how I quote and don't give a number without seeing the project information. Some send me a vague description, and others send their plans and elevation; however, I need many things to get an accurate number. I don't think people are trying to lock in a low-number, knowing their project has some hidden obstacles (most projects have hidden obstacles), but I am sure some do.

Somehow 3004 Belmont slipped through the cracks with things that would have majorly changed what the project would have cost to be illustrated. Often materials are not ready, and I'll get a description like "exterior will be brick," as with this project, but brick with stone mixed in, in very particular places, changes the equation in a big way. Also, I don't think people switch and bait often, although I have seen it. 3004 Bemont's original submitted documents had a simple landscape plan, and updated plans got pretty specific, with a dozen particular tree and bush species.

My contract addresses these things. However, I rarely push the contract card, and I try to roll with the punches until I can't roll anymore. When these kinds of things happen, I remind my client that the request is called scope creep, and usually, people understand. In this project, I mentioned the scope creep, but I let it at that, and I continued with the project without making a fuss.

When a project is quoted, the number I give is what it'll cost. Like a lot of business models, they come in low, knowing they'll make their profit in markups. I don't do that. I understand that projects will creep, and I also understand that people have budgets. It would upset me going into a project with one number budgeted, knowing that whoever I hire dang well knew that the number will go up. Projects do creep, and I will, at some point, create an addendum, but that is when my time isn't being respected, and they are the ones trying to play the game that I refuse to play on them. This is when they know the number quoted will not cover the cost if the hidden things were revealed when the project is quoted. Having said all of this, 3004 Belmont is a small reminder to be on guard because, although this project didn't, some project's scope creep will be malicious and bury you, messing up all your other projects and cost you more than just money and time.

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Bobby Parker 12/23/20 Bobby Parker 12/23/20

6-Plex Renderings

From one of my Canadian friends, here is a 6-plex rendering. I am always happy when my Canadian friends hire me because, basically, they pay a premium. The dollar exchange means what I quote is actually marked-up, on their end, since our dollar isn’t as strong.

The more work I do for a client, the more I know what they are looking for in architectural renderings. With this client, we have gotten to the point that I am sent CAD drawings and a list of colors, and I deliver them their rendering. All the detail and nuances are known, so not many questions need to be asked.

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Bobby Parker 12/18/20 Bobby Parker 12/18/20

The Bull Mixed-Use Renderings

Great project for a great repeat client. I have to say, I am blessed when it comes to fantastic clients. Maybe once or twice a year, I get a flake, but most of my clients are great people and companies to work for.

When I am first approached to create an architectural rendering, I asked lead questions. The questions are formulated to pre-qualify projects. Again, I am blessed to choose my clients and the projects I want to work on. Most of the time, I weed out the flakes, not to say one or two doesn't slip through the crack, but they're usually isn't a second project with that client. There is too much online for my clients for me to get dragged down in the mud with a bad client. One lousy client, who usually doesn't have his or her own boundaries and doesn't respect my boundaries (calling me on Christmas morning to discuss your project isn't cool), can jeopardize other clients projects who play by the rules, and I won't have it.

These turned out great, and I wish my client the best of luck on his project.

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Bobby Parker 12/15/20 Bobby Parker 12/15/20

Ruttger’s Lakeside Cottage Renderings

It is always a pleasure to get commissioned to illustrate for one of our local resorts. I work for people worldwide, from Canada to Australia, but locally, only a couple of people. I have some theories, but I’ll keep that to myself. Funny enough, I am currently working on projects for both of my local clients.

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Bobby Parker 12/15/20 Bobby Parker 12/15/20

Chicago Apartment Renderings

Come on, oh baby, don't you wanna go

Back to that same old place

Sweet home Chicago

“Some good news on my end, the project you recently did for me actually sold out in 3 weeks! With only drywalled and framed out units to show. Thanks to your nice renderings!”

— Baird & Warner

Chicago, the best city in the world! Okay, since I am from Chicago, I might have a strong bias. I was approached to do some interior apartment renderings for a real estate firm in Chicago; I got excited; see, I work from my home office. They don’t let me out often, so sometimes I live vicariously through my projects.

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Bobby Parker 12/9/20 Bobby Parker 12/9/20

Little John House Rendering

Here is another small house from a series that I have been posting. This one, unlike the others, is a two-story small house. There weren’t interiors requested for these, and it isn’t my place to share, but it is a cool little house inside, too.

I would love to read about the demographics of these little houses. I am assuming, it is for single couples, maybe in their late 20’s or early 30’s. I live in a resort town, and our population dwindles in Winter. These people are called snowbirds, and they go South in the Winter to avoid our brutal cold weather. Not many people can afford more than one house, but imagine having small homes around the country where you can travel. If we went small, we might be able to afford more than one residence. After all, remote working is now standard, and I doubt they will change once the pandemic is over, so who cares where you live?

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