"D5 has opened that door and allowed us to really push the limits of what we were working on."
—James Robertson, Modunite's Operations Director
Introduction
Modunite, a UK-based 3D CGI studio, earned a strong reputation for delivering top-notch visualizations in the property market. But as their projects grew, they found themselves frustrated with the limitations of Twinmotion, which couldn't meet their clients' need for true-to-life realism. This case study shares how transitioning to D5 Render not only transformed their workflow but also helped them deliver higher-quality results that truly impressed their clients.
The Pain Points: Realism and Efficiency
Before switching to D5 Render, Modunite faced constant challenges with Twinmotion. Their visuals lacked the realism their clients needed, especially in the property sector, where lifelike renders are crucial for marketing properties off-plan.
The struggle to achieve realistic textures and lighting became a real pain point. On top of that, their workflow was slowed by repetitive tasks, leaving the team eager for a solution that could deliver both stunning quality and greater efficiency.
Why D5 Render?
The decision to switch to D5 Render was driven by the need for more advanced features that could elevate both realism and productivity. Modunite Managing Director Michael Puddy shared, “D5 allowed us to push the limits of our work,” providing the quality their clients had been demanding. Modunite saw immediate benefits, as D5 Render's advanced tools opened new creative possibilities.
James Robertson, Modunite's Founder & Director, added, “We had hit the ceiling with our previous program. D5 unlocked new possibilities for us.”
Efficiency Gains with Revit Live Sync
Integrating Revit with D5 Render through Live Sync has been a game-changer for Modunite. Previously, every project update required exporting models as FBX files and re-importing them—an exhausting, time-consuming process that often disrupted their workflow. With D5 Live Sync, any changes made in Revit are instantly reflected in D5 Render, eliminating the need for constant manual adjustments.
Zachary Garratt emphasized the difference, saying, “The D5 live sync between Revit and D5 has been a huge efficiency booster. It used to be a real pain to export models and re-import them every time, but now it's so much easier.”
James Robertson echoed this sentiment, recalling how tedious the old workflow was and how relieved they were to move past it. Now, Modunite benefits from seamless, real-time updates, saving time and energy while maintaining high-quality output.
Overcoming Rendering Challenges with D5 Features
Switching to D5 Render was a game-changer for Modunite. Before, they struggled to create realistic effects like water reflections and caustics, but that all changed with D5. One project that stood out was an underground spa, where Zachary recalled, “We added caustics, and you could see the reflection of the water on the ceiling, with the waterfall's movement making the project look unbelievable.”
D5 also made it much easier to handle larger projects without slowing down, even on plots up to four acres. The scatter tool and lighting improvements brought a new level of realism, with Zachary noting, “The grass and natural elements look so much more realistic than before.”
The Impact of AI on Workflow
“It's not only about saving time but also enhancing quality.”
D5's AI capabilities have truly transformed the way Modunite works. The team relies on the AI Enhancer to bring more realism to elements like grass and wood textures. As Zachary put it, “the result is significantly better. It's not only about saving time but also enhancing quality.” For them, the difference in how natural materials look, like grasses and wood grains, has been well worth the small extra effort.”
Optimizing Workflow with D5's Asset Library
Modunite relies heavily on D5 Render's built-in asset library, using around 80% of the available models for their projects. While most client needs are met with D5's assets, they occasionally source external models when specific requests arise. Despite this, D5's library covers the majority of their work effectively.
The team also uses a local library to store custom assets and presets, including grass types, lighting setups, and HDRIs. These saved settings streamline their workflow, ensuring consistency and efficiency across projects.