Exploring AI-Powered Workflows in Architectural Visualization (ArchViz)

The rapid advancements in AI technology have made a significant impact on countless industries, and architectural visualization (archviz) is no exception. As a 3D artist, I've found myself increasingly curious about integrating AI into my workflow to enhance creativity, efficiency, and productivity.

In today’s fast-paced world, leveraging tools like MidJourney for generating reference images, Photoshop's generative fill, and Topaz AI for quick enhancements can streamline the entire rendering process. These AI tools help ensure workflow stability, speed up corrections, and add the flexibility needed for revisions.

While traditional rendering methods demand precision in 3D space, AI can offer quicker alternatives for tasks like correcting elements in an image. If using AI is faster than fixing it manually in 3D, it can save time—time that’s crucial when clients expect high-quality renders within tight deadlines, often just a week

Humble beginnings:

The foundation of any great project is solid references. I use PureRef to organize my references, which allows me to create a visual roadmap before diving into rendering. At this stage, it's not necessary to have every detail pinned down, but a general idea of the atmosphere and style is essential.

Once I've gathered a collection of reference images, the next step is to identify key elements that will define the final image. Assigning keywords or names to these elements helps craft clear instructions for MidJourney to generate prompts. For instance, one of my favorite prompts resulted in this image:"A traditional Galician house on a seaside cliff, surrounded by a lush forest with a rainy, moody atmosphere."

You can further refine this by combining reference images with MidJourney's outputs, but be cautious—sometimes these AI-generated images might not align with your vision, especially if perspective or framing shifts in ways you don’t expect.

It looks good as a reference, and we can make it better. Time to again refer to our references and see that we continue our workflow in the right direction.

Rendering and 3D

Let's go!

Now, let’s move on to the 3D rendering process. After collecting reference images and setting the visual direction, I begin by creating test renders. At this stage, I focus on the atmosphere and materials, refining details as I go. Composition is key here—making sure the elements in the scene work together harmoniously is vital. This includes balancing volume, color, and values to establish a clear visual hierarchy.

Adding atmospheric effects like fog or subtle lighting helps bring the scene to life.

Final render

Once the core composition is set, I integrate background elements from the AI-generated references. If the resolution needs adjusting, tools like MidJourney can help stretch or reframe the image without losing quality.

The final touches happen in post-production, where the real magic happens. Using Photoshop’s generative fill, I can fine-tune details, enhance the mood, and ensure everything aligns with the project’s vision.

Magical Post

Now we are talking! The mood is right there, we got to integrate our idea into the spirit of Galician seaside house with a modern twist while retaining the serene, rainy atmosphere.

This project was incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to pushing my creativity further by experimenting with different perspectives and scenes. Next, I’ll be generating reference images for a front-facing view of the same Galician house. Stay tuned—it’s going to be exciting!