2B Landscape Consultancy - 3D Modelling and CAD

3D Modelling and CAD

We use Computer Aided Design (CAD) for plan drawings, and 3D modelling for most of our design work, for the following reasons:-

CAD (DWG) and PDF files are the standard formats for communicating with other professionals and clients. Paper is rarely used for drawing transmission;
we can reproduce drawings in-house in any format, from paper to digital images for web or presentations;
drawings produced in 2D CAD can form the basis of 3D visualisations.

Within the design process, once we have passed the fluid initial stage (usually best achieved with pencil and paper!) we find ourselves increasingly working directly in 3D. This aids the design process and allows us to communicate design work to both technical and non-technical clients. 3D models can be rendered to include light and shade, giving a good sense of reality, and they are readily understood by most people.

Once the model is created, it can be viewed in a variety of ways - look at the video, panorama and orbit views we have created in the right. Models can also form the basis of other types of visualisation, as explored on other pages in this section, eg photomontage and real-time.

Project examples:

Mires Beck - 3D video

From sketch to 3D: we produced this design for a local horticultural charity in 3D, in order to communicate the role played by enclosing and vertical structures. Please see the Realtime page for further development of this model.

Leicester Park+Ride panoramas

This 3D model was the basis for accurate photomontages for a Park & Ride project. Click & drag to change the view. Try looking down and clicking on the link... then look up and do the same. We put it into panoramic format because it is a great way to look at a model.

Power Station - orbit view

Click and drag left-right on the image to orbit around the power station. We love the fact that you don't need anything more than a browser to get a really good understanding of the 3D form of this proposal.

3D Gallery

Victoria Dock Heritage Trail

We produced the details and many of the planning drawings for this project in 3D. This allowed clients, planners, consultees and the public to readily understand the design.

A5117 Highway Improvements

This detailed junction model was produced to provide the basis for an accurate photomontage, for a major road improvement scheme.

Humber Bridge Housing

Based on the architect's plans and elevations, we produced a series of 3D models in order to create realistic and credible photomontages.

Humberfields Waste Recycling Facility

We represented local community concerns about this project in an Area of High Landscape Value. Considering that the developer's plans failed to explain the scale of the proposal, we used their drawings to produce a 3D model and added vehicles and people to illustrate its inappropriate scale. The developer's appeal was refused.

Tansterne Straw Burning Power Station

3D modelling has been key to explaining this project throughout the planning process; both to explain the component parts of the project as above, and as the basis for photomontages used during the planning application and appeal, which was successful.

Tansterne Straw Burning Power Station

Basic 3D models can be rendered to provide more realistic lighting and shadows, which contributes to their realism when used in photomontages.

Leicester Park and Ride

This is an overview of the 3D model which involved merging the wider terrain, the engineering layout and the architect's plans and elevations for the ticket office.

Leicester Park and Ride

This render of the ticket office was used for consultation purposes with local parish councils and groups.

Hempdyke Dip Park, Crosby

This 3D model illustrated our proposals for robust play features along arterial paths through the park.

Hempdyke Avenue, Crosby

Our proposal to dramatically enhance the streets of Crosby was illustrated with a series of 3D views.

i3d