To render or to work Native with Photoshop?

[jtgrady]

These are some images I have been working on trying to save a bit of time by not rendering the images and working in native and photoshop to bring out the highlights I want. I would like to know what others are doing to avoid rendering and save time in the work flow. Here are 3 versions of the same scene:

I would really like to know others thoughts and ideas for ways of rendering with out the render.

[honoluludesktop]

If the presentation is being used to "sell the client" on the design (vs. one that will be used to market), then what ever is the most cost effective way. I personally find that a medium end, easy to use render application best suited for that.

With reasonable hardware, and the wide varieties of intermediate render applications available (under $200.00), unless you are dealing with a high end photo real image, you can pass photoshop, and pop a decent render out in under an hour.

Btw, Your model seems reasonably complex, including back ground buildings, landscaping accessories, etc. It appears that you have chosen to hide outline, and spent a ton of time on the track, etc. (far more then I would on a "sell the design" render). I do think your illustrations are quite nice and more then adequate. If anything I would only add lots of people, daytime sky (with clouds), and a bit of foreground landscaping. Nice work.

[dorfpunk]

Pretty much what they said ^^^^^ - it depends where the money is coming from and how guaranteed it is. Marketing that will bring in $$$ over a long period is worth all the time you can spend. If the client is sold on you but not sure on design then a bit less because you will probably have to change something, and less time again if they are not sold on you. Sorry if I just repeated other peoples words. But... If you are anything like me and have several things happening at once and almost no spare time ever, I think dumming (sp?) down the model a little - test render areas of the scene to make sure they are right re: textures etc and then running your render while you work on something else is not a bad thing.

All that said - your models look great and I use unrendered stuff quite often when it needs to be quick and particularly when it is a residential client as they tend to be blown away by any 3d at all

[jtgrady]

Thanks guys for the comments. I work for a construction firm and we use images like this in our presentations to the potential client. This is the last in a series of construction images and it shows final completion. We add people in our construction scenes but I hadn't thought about adding them in the final image. We use scenes to show the different phases of construction so our guys can talk to it and explain our way of doing things. I used to use twilight and do from time to time when I have the time but lately it is really quick that these need to go out. We not trying to sell the design but our way of construction.