Background and Overview
Kimmel Studio, a multidisciplinary design firm, brings together architecture, interior, and landscape design under one roof. Using SketchUp as their core tool, their designers seamlessly integrate all three disciplines, allowing them to stay focused on creativity without getting bogged down by technical constraints. However, even with an efficient design process, they encountered challenges in delivering compelling visual presentations.
This is where D5 Render came in. By adopting this powerful tool, Kimmel Studio's architects were able to streamline their workflows and elevate their output—without needing to outsource or rely on additional 3D specialists. Since the architects at Kimmel Studio handle both design and visualization, they sought a solution that would allow them to manage everything in-house, enabling them to maintain full control over their creative vision without depending on external 3D artists.
The Need for Change
Before adopting D5 Render, they used traditional tools like V-Ray and Enscape. While effective in certain areas, these programs posed challenges—V-Ray required long processing times and the expertise of a dedicated technician, making it difficult to quickly iterate designs.
Enscape struggled with large projects, especially those involving extensive landscapes. This was a significant issue for Kimmel Studio, where projects often spanned thousands of acres, causing the software to slow down and disrupt the workflow. Faced with these limitations, the team sought a more efficient solution that could deliver both speed and quality without unnecessary complexity.
This search for an all-in-one solution led them to D5 Render, a software that not only delivered high-quality results but was also user-friendly, allowing Kimmel Studio's architects to take full control of the rendering process. With D5, they could handle the entire workflow—designing, adjusting, and rendering—seamlessly and efficiently, all without the need for additional 3D specialists.
"With D5, the people who are actually designing can make real-time decisions on light, texture, and camera locations. That's much more efficient for us."
Key Pain Points and Solutions
Handling Large Scenes Efficiently
The primary challenge Kimmel Studio faced was managing large datasets. For projects that spanned 3,000 acres with complex landscapes, Enscape would significantly slow down, leading to delays and a less efficient design process.
"Our models were just too big for Enscape to handle effectively," Eric, Kimmel's Senior Architect shared. "D5 can take on everything we throw at it, and that's why we switched."
D5 Render's ability to handle extensive models without lag was a game-changer. The software allowed Kimmel Studio to work on large-scale projects, such as vast neighborhoods and landscapes, without facing slowdowns or crashes, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
Tight Deadlines and Efficient Iterations with LiveSync
Time constraints were a major challenge for Kimmel Studio. Perfecting images under tight deadlines or making last-minute adjustments often left the team racing against the clock. Traditional tools like V-Ray, with long render times, struggled to keep pace.
"We always want to perfect these images and make them the best they can be, but there's never enough time," Eric said. "D5 has been a huge help because it allows us to quickly tweak and refine details without having to redo everything from scratch."
D5 Render addressed these pain points directly, enabling quick adjustments without compromising quality. Its real-time rendering capabilities allowed the team to see changes instantly, helping them meet deadlines and maintain client satisfaction.
"D5 isn't just a rendering tool; it's a design tool," said Devin, Kimmel's Principal. "We can switch between SketchUp and D5 seamlessly, making real-time adjustments and seeing the results instantly. It changed how we work."
Efficiency and Speed
The transition to D5 Render marked a pivotal shift in Kimmel Studio's workflow. Compared to traditional tools like V-Ray, the efficiency gains with D5 Render have been substantial. Tasks that previously took days could now be completed within minutes. For instance, rendering a 30-second animation, which would have taken four days using V-Ray, can now be achieved in about 30 minutes with D5.
"We're talking about a 500% increase in productivity," Eric estimated. "We used to have to let V-Ray renders run overnight, but with D5, it's done in a few minutes. It's incredible."
Improved Client Presentations and Faster Approvals
D5 Render has also revolutionized how Kimmel Studio presents designs to clients. By showcasing dynamic, photorealistic 3D renders, the studio can provide clients with a more immersive experience. This capability has led to faster client approvals, reducing the need for multiple rounds of meetings and saving time and resources.
"Before, we'd have to go through several meetings to get client buy-in," said Devin.
"Now, we can present a fully rendered design within two or three meetings, and the clients get it right away. It sped up our process by weeks."
Key Features and Tools
Several features of D5 Render have been essential in helping Kimmel Studio overcome its previous challenges:
- Scatter Tool&Asset Library
The scatter tool has been a significant asset for landscape projects, allowing designers to efficiently place multiple objects, like plants, across large areas. This feature is particularly useful for projects requiring the integration of expansive greenery and vegetation."We rely heavily on the scatter tool," explained Brian, a landscape architect. "It's a massive time saver, especially on our larger projects where we need to cover acres with plants."
The extensive library of high-quality assets, including trees, plants, and other vegetation, has also been instrumental. "There's generally enough to get us by per climate zone," Brian noted.
- AI Enhancer and Texture Upscaling
The AI Enhancer, which sharpens details and improves texture quality, has become a core part of their workflow. This feature allows the team to maintain high visual quality without spending excessive time on post-processing."It really sharpens up the details, and it's become an essential part of our process," Eric said.
- Team Collaboration
Multi-editor editing in D5 for Teams was a pleasant surprise for Kimmel Studio. Previously, projects would be passed along sequentially, but now team members can work simultaneously on different aspects, leading to faster project completion and a more cohesive end result."Before, it was like a relay race—one person would finish their part and then hand it off," explained Eric. "Now, we can all be working on different aspects at the same time. It's like we're all in the same room, even when we're not."
